Car Hire Poitiers - Mini guide to Poitiers
The minor roads around the Poitiers and Poitou-Charentes region are pleasant to drive on, as the bulk of traffic speeds along the A10 motorway. Take a drive around the north and the Marais Poitevin. Nicknamed the ‘Green Venice’, the area is a dream world of river boulevards and emerald-coloured shimmering reflections.
To the west of Poitiers, La Rochelle is one of the most interesting seaside towns in France. The waterfront and town centre date from the 17th century when the town played an important role in trade with the New World. The most attractive area is located between the harbour and place de Verdun.
The Grosse Horloge is a gateway to the old town and dominates the harbour. It gives access to the rue du Palais, which is filled with shops under the 18th century arcades. Other sights worth visiting include: the Musée du Nouveau Monde and the Hotel de Ville. Just south of La Rochelle is Oleron Island, France’s second-largest island, which boasts lots of sandy beaches.
Originally built on the site of a Roman town, the restored city of Tours is lively and cultured. The Cathédrale St Gatien, dating from the 13th to 16th centuries, has a Gothic façade and medieval stained-glass windows. Place Plumereau lies at the centre of town, surrounded by streets of half-timbered houses and charming courtyards.
The city's best museums include: the Musée de l'Hôtel Gouin, formerly a silk merchant's house and now the archaeological museum, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, nestled in the old Episcopal palace.
South of Poitiers, along the A10 and E603, is brandy country, where the focus is on cognac. There is a heady scent in the air all around the town, and a tour of one or all of the distilleries and cellars is a must. Make sure you ask for a free bottle or sample.
Farther along the E603 is the town of Angoulême, with its picturesque old town perched on a hill above a thriving, modern counterpart in the valley below. The 12th century Cathédrale St Pierre dominates the old town. Seventy stone statues and bas-reliefs depicting the Last Judgement can be found around the Romanesque façade.
