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France - Poitou-Charentes

A brief summary of Poitou-Charentes

This vast area of southwest France spans a quarter of the country's windswept Atlantic coastline, a great expanse of fine sandy beaches.
The region stretches from the marshes of the Marais Poitevin to the great pine forests of the Landes.
Central to it is the celebrated wine region of Bordeaux and its great châteaux.

Landscape The turbulent hitory of Poitou and Aquitaine, fought over for centuries, has left a rich architectural and cultural heritage. The great arch and amphitheatre at Saintes bear witness to Roman influence in the area.
In the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela created an impressive legacy of Romanesque churches, such as those at Poitiers and Parthenay, as well as tiny chapels and glowing frescoes.
The Hundred Year's War caused great upheaval but also resulted in the construction of mighty defence keeps by the English Plantagenet kings.
As a result of the Wars of Religion, many towns and churches and châteaux were destroyed and had to be rebuilt.

Present-day Poitiers is a big, thriving commercial centre.
To the west are historic ports of La Rochelles and Rochefort.
Further south, the wine-producing district of Bordeaux combines with Cognac, famous for its brandy, to supply an important part of the region's income.
The city of Bordeaux is as prosperous today as in Roman times, combining a lively cultural scene with elegant 18th-century architecture.
Its wines complement the region's cuisine: eels, mussels and oysters from the coast; and salty lamb and goat's cheese from the inland pastures.

Shuttered houses in St Martin de Ré, on Ile de Ré, off the coast of La Rochelle.

The seaside resort of Arcachon by the sandy dunes of the Bassin d'Arcachon.

As with all of France the local currency is the Euro. Whether renting property to move or holiday here, more information about Poitou-Charentes can be found here.