Regions of France -> Poitou-Charentes Search Rent in France for self catering holiday homes in Poitou-Charentes. Find the ideal holiday gite, cottage or villa to rent in Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sevres and Vienne

French Holiday Property – Rental accommodation in Poitou-Charentes, France

Search the Rent in France holiday directory for self catering holiday homes in the most popular destinations of the Poitou-Charentes region. Find the ideal holiday gite, cottage or villa to rent in any of its four departments: Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sevres and Vienne. In the north of the region, the departments of Deux Sevres and Vienne make up the historic Poitou region; the low-lying departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime make up the southern part of the region. Poitou-Charentes is mainly rural, and even the regional capital Poitiers has less than 100,000 inhabitants. The city is most famous for its ancient churches, including the St. John's Baptistry, reputedly the oldest place of Christian worship in France, and the Notre-Dame la Grande church, one of the most famous and distinctive Romanesque churches in France. 

It is one of the sunniest areas in France, boasting over 2,250 hours of sunshine every year and there are some lively beach resorts. The region covers the central part of France's Atlantic coastal plain and is located to the west of the higher Limousin area and the start of the Massif Central Mountains. The extensive vineyards in the South of the region provide the grapes used in the production of Cognac and the famous aperitif wine Pineau des Charentes. Popular attractions to visit are La Rochelle, an historic Altlantic port city, with mediaeval fortifications. Rochefort - a small city just inland from the coast, and the popular offshore islands of Iles de Re and Oleron. The coastal area is popular with tourists and watersport enthusiasts, although much of the coastline is given over to oyster beds. There is also a great selection of good golf courses in the Poitiers area.

A few places worth visiting in the Poitou-Charentes region of France: 

Poitiers– this picturesque and interesting city is the capital of the Vienne departement and of the Poitou-Charentes region. Located on the Clain river, on the the Seuil du Poitou.

La Rochelle – the city is capital of the Charente-Maritime department. The city’s main feature is the Vieux Port "Old Harbour", situated at the heart of the city.

Futuroscope – a theme park in Vienne, best known for its 3D cinemas, multimedia, cinematographic futorscope and audio-visual techniques. Has helped boost tourism in Poitiers.

St Savin sur Gartempe -  a Romanesque Abbey Church in the Vienne department, which has been fantasticaly preserved - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

Rochefort – a seaport on the Atlantic Coast, in the Charente-Maritime department. Once a very important naval base back in the 17th Century.

Royan – a famous seaside resort in Charente-Maritime.

Saintonge – a small region on the Atlantic coast, famous today for its grape production used in cognac and Pineau des Charentes. An exporter of medieval pottery.

Iles de Re and Oleron – popular offshore islands.

Angouleme – historic capital of the Charente department. Best known for its Romanesque cathedral dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

Golf de Royan – a challenging golf course in the Cote de Beaute.

Cognac – Plan a trip to this town and learn how the most famous variety of Brandy is produced.