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Lots of thrills at Futuroscope -
See scary sharks at La Rochelle aquarium -
Take a cognac tour -
Go bird-spotting at a nature reserve -
Relive ancient history at Saintes -
Monkey business at Vallée des Singes -
Stunning views from the Chassiron lighthouse -
Vroom, vroom! at Le Vigeant -
Cycle through beautiful countryside -
Learn to cook...or paint or write... -
Cruise the river on an old-style boat -
Take to the air -
Catch your supper! -
Trot, canter, gallop! -
Watersports galore
The top attractions in the Poitou-Charentes!
The Poitou-Charentes in packed full of attractions – from animals parks to unusual and interesting museums, historic sites, nature reserves and lovely gardens, beautiful châteaux and water and fun parks. The region also boasts seven villages that are officially recognised as some of Most Beautiful Villages in France.
Whatever your age or inlication there are many, many things to see for guaranteed Great Days Out. To get you started, below are the Top 10 attractions in the Poitou-Charentes. Click here for the Top 50 attractions. Have fun!
1. Futuroscope: the theme park near Poitiers that’s a mix of thrills and education with rides and 3D and now 4D films
2. Aquarium: at La Rochelle in the Charente-Maritime, 12,000 marine animals, with 70 different aquaria within the complex, including a shark tank over three levels.
3. Zoo de la Palymre: near Royan in the Charente-Maritime, see 1,600 species, from flamingos, monkeys, cheetahs, hippos and elephants to snow leopards, pandas, penguins, polar bears, ostriches, pythons and sea lions. Among them are several endangered species, such as the White Rhinoceros, which the zoo is helping to save with breeding programme.
4. Les Antilles Water Park: An indoor aquatic centre in Jonzac in the Charente-Maritime that’s is one of the largest of its type in Europe, offering swimming plus slides, water toboggans, indoor beaches, beauty and fitness centres, tropical surroundings and great eating too.
5. L’Hermione: the replica, being built in Rochefort in the Charente-Maritime, of the famous ship that took the Marquis de La Fayette to America in 1780 to fight in the War of Independence against the British. This year – 2011 – is the last you can see it in dry dock before it takes to the sea.
6. Vallée des Singes: a 15 hectare monkey and ape park near Civray in the Vienne where many of the 350 primates, from gorillas to chimpanzees and squirrel monkeys, travel freely through the trees and along ropes strung between them, or are enclosed on large islands which allows them to move as they please.
7. Phare des Baleines: a working lighthouse on Ile de Ré, its 257-step spiral staircase leading to stunning views.
8. Phare de Chassiron: on Île d'Oléron, its distinctive white and black-striped lighthouse offers impressive views of the Atlantic coast.
9. Centre International de la Mer: at the Corderie Royale (the Royal ropeworks) in Rochefort in the Charente-Maritime, houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions on the sea and seafaring.
10. Cité de l'écrit: the town of Montmorillon in the Vienne, whose medieval centre is known as the City of Writing and Bookmaking or the Village of the Written Word. Here the town comes alive to the sights, sounds and smells of the book and writing trade.
SEE ALSO:
* SUMMER FESTIVALS IN THE POITOU-CHARENTES
* GREATS DAYS OUT IN THE POITOU-CHARENTES
