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Crossed by the Charente river and its numerous affluents, the Charente département offers a wide range of attractions and activities with its landscapes of hills, vineyards, lakes, prairies and woods. With towns such as Angoulême, the French capital of the comic strip, and Cognac, famous for its brandy and its Detective film festival, as well as charming villages, castles and Romanesque churches, the Gallo-Roman site of Chassenon, and rivers and lakes for water sports, there is plenty on offer for visitors.
With its 460 kilometres of coasts, its many sunshine hours, and its important historic heritage, the Charente-Maritime appeals to both the relaxation enthusiast and the adventurer. The gentle climate along with the beautiful fine sand beaches, the various activities on offer by the seaside resorts, the oyster beds of Marennes-Oléron, the Charente-Maritime islands, the towns full of architectural interest, the Romanesque churches, and the specialities make it a wonderful département to visit.
In the south of the Massif Central, lovers of nature and old buildings will find their heart's content when they explore Corrèze, a peaceful and green land with countless attractions. Whether you choose to go hiking in the Millevaches Regional Natural Park, with its forests, prairies and lakes, head to the Vézère gorges for river sports, climbing and mountain biking, or enjoy a walk around the Gimel and Murel waterfalls, the Causse Corrèzien limestone plateau and the upper Dordogne Valley, you can be sure of a change of scene and a breath of fresh air! The built heritage is also exceptional, with the Merle towers, Pompadour Castle, Aubazine Abbey, and superb medieval towns like Collonges-la-Rouge, Curemonte, Saint-Robert, Ségur-le-Château and Turenne, all five of which are listed among the most beautiful villages of France… Corrèze's other treasure is its local cuisine made with quality produce, to be sampled liberally at the local markets!
The perfect place for relaxing and recharging your batteries, the Creuse boasts beautiful, wild and unspoiled nature. Peaceful landscapes of bucolic hills, flower-filled prairies, lakes and beautiful forests crossed by hiking trails, as well as a rich architectural and artistic heritage in the shape of interesting towns, Romanesque buildings, castles and the famous Aubusson tapestry, will delight lovers of nature, relaxation and authenticity.
The peaceful and verdant Poitevin Marsh, ideal for a relaxing boat trip; the bucolic valleys of the Sèvre Niortaise and Thouet, popular with fans of fishing and rural getaways; the vast cultivated plains and the hedged farmland of Gâtine – there are so many varied landscapes to see in Deux-Sèvres... When it comes to built heritage and gems of Romanesque architecture, its cities of Art and History and small character towns will delight lovers of old buildings.
Former province of Périgord, the Dordogne has a wealth of remarkable places of interest, especially prehistoric sites, and appeals as much to architecture fans and lovers of unspoiled landscapes as it does to sporty types. Divided into four geographical areas – Black Périgord, Green Périgord, White Périgord and Purple Périgord – the Dordogne has enough to keep all its visitors happy.
The biggest department in metropolitan France, Gironde can also be proud of its multitude of treasures, both natural and architectural. The City of Art and History of Bordeaux, the superb castles of Cazeneuve, Roquetaillade and La Brède, the Atlantic Coast with its salty waves and sandy beaches beloved by holidaymakers and surfing fans, the wonderful Arcachon Bay with highly prized seaside resorts and typical oyster villages, the tallest dune in Europe and its unforgettable views, the lakes ideal for water sports, the pine forests dotted with cycle paths, the famous Bordelais vineyard with its prestigious wines, or the famous oysters of Arcachon Bay - you can enjoy all these treasures on a weekend or longer getaway!
Composed of restful and bucolic landscapes, ranging from the ponds and hedged farmland of Basse-Marche to the mounts Blond and Ambazac, through the Vienne valley, the Haute-Vienne is a great destination for relaxation and nature-based tourism. A considerable architectural and artistic heritage is also offered through its Romanesque religious buildings, its fortified castles, its medieval cities and its famous porcelain tradition.
A surfers' paradise and an exceptional summer holiday destination, Landes combines the pleasures of the beach and ocean with the natural attractions of the forest and lakes. A hydrotherapy hotspot, with the five spa resorts of Dax, Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, Eugénie-les-Bains, Préchacq-les-Bains and Saubusse-les-Bains, the Landes department boasts many other features, such as its 106 kilometres of fine sandy beaches which stretch out along the Atlantic coast from Biscarrosse to the mouth of the Adour, its renowned seaside resorts, such as Capbreton, Hossegor and Vieux-Boucau Port d'Albret, which offer a varied choice of sports activities, its immense pine forest and many lakes where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy outdoor activities. Everything for you to really enjoy your stay in the Aquitaine region!
Nestling in the heart of southwest France, bordered by Périgord, Quercy, the Landes and Gascony, the Lot-et-Garonne département is a leading destination for nature-orientated holidays. Traversed by the two rivers from which it takes its name, this fertile orchard region famous for the Agen prune is crisscrossed by some 200 km of navigable waterways and 3,500 km of walking trails! In addition to this natural wealth, it offers beautiful built and rural heritage in the form of bastide towns, castles and manor houses, dovecotes and windmills. Definitely one for architecture fans and those who love outdoor pursuits!
Ideally located between the ocean and mountains, Pyrénées-Atlantiques is ideal for lovers of nature as well as fans of outdoor activities and architecture enthusiasts, with a wide range of things to see and do. You'll find an extensive selection of attractions, from the beautiful villages of Béarn and Pays Basque to the splendid Pyrenean mountains, which are ideal for skiing and hiking, through the spa resorts with their health-giving water, the Cities of Art and History of Bayonne and Pau, and the seaside resorts of the Basque coast, with their long, sandy beaches... Enjoy without moderation!
With the city of Poitiers and its prestigious monuments, Futuroscope amusement park with its futuristic atmosphere, the magnificent village of Angles-sur-l'Anglin, the medieval town of Chauvigny, remarkable Romanesque churches and fabulous murals, the département of Vienne is a top destination for those who love places of interest, art and religious architecture.