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Poitou Charentes/Vendee Holiday Guide

With sun shining its rays for over 2,250 hours each year, it is no wonder that this beautiful region of verdant forests, emerald blue beaches and charming towns and villages has gained the reputation of a popular holiday destination over the years. This region is also home to the famous Cognac brandy. Visit the Old Town of Cognac to and you'll get to know all that is worth knowing about this drink.

The ideal way to discover the myriad facets of this region is through the comfort of your vacation rental home. To soak in the ambience, flavors and cultural delights of the medieval towns that dot this region, opt for a vacation rental condo, chalet or an apartment. The scenic beauty combined with the luxurious dwellings will tempt you to add an extra couple of days to your holiday.

Sightseeing in Poitou Charentes/Vendee

• La Rochelle port and Old Town
  The picturesque old port of La Rochelle in Charente-Maritime is home to some of the most marvelous and well-preserved examples of medieval architecture. The most impressive edifice in the Old Town is the Town Hall, a 17th century building featuring turrets and elaborate carvings.
• La Rochelle Aquarium
  Situated in a modern glass building on the harbor, the aquarium is home to 12,000 marine animals including 20 species of shark. Discover a range of sea creatures including brightly colored tropical fish, sea urchins, sea horses, shoals of sardines, stingrays etc.
• Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
  The village of St Savin sur Gartempe is known for its Romanesque abbey-church. Built during the 11th century, it features interiors that are adorned with innumerable murals.

 Dining in Poitou Charentes/Vendee

The cuisine of this region is as varied, unique and interesting as it is for rest of the regions in France. Visit the restaurants of the Old Town in La Rochelle where you can relish specialty dishes such as Oyester Marenne d’Oléron and Pineau des Charentes. There are a couple of famous restaurants, like Chez André or La Marée, that serve an array of traditional culinary delights.

Entertainment and Nightlife in Poitou Charentes/Vendee

Spend your days exploring the various historic and cultural sights and basking under the sun on the gorgeous beaches. Once the sun goes down, get ready to visit some of the region’s popular pubs, bars and dance clubs. Movie buffs can visit Méga CGR and catch the latest running movie or head to l'Odyssée Theatre to catch a live performance. If you feel like having a nice drink and mixing with the locals, you can always head to le Cinq Café and le Ship. Those who prefer shaking a leg can visit Oxford, le Triolet or l'Odyssée, in the medieval town of La Rochelle.

Golfing in Poitou Charentes/Vendee

• Golf Club du Château des Forges
  Situated in a 600 acre parkland, this beautiful golf course, which was designed by Björn Eriksson features 27 holes and offers enough variety and challenges to test the skills of the best of players.