Charentes holiday cottages
Serene waterways and gentle countryside
Rent a country cottage in the tranquil setting of Charentes and you'll stumble across serene waterways that carve through calm countryside, and prestigious Cognac vineyards rolling into the distance.
Aside from its double-distilled brandy heritage, venture outside your holiday gite and you'll find Charentes has plenty more to offer - from discovering quiet villages dotted with mini chateaux, to enjoying a refreshing swim in the river Antenne.
Things to see and do in Charentes
Step out of your French holiday gite to discover the charms of the gentle Charentes countryside…
- Angoulème: With its stunning cathedral and quaint, quiet streets, the picturesque city of Angoulème is well worth a visit.
- Cognac vineyards: No holiday in Charentes is complete without witnessing the production of this famous liqueur, and an exploration of the charming town of Cognac itself.
- Poitiers: Located on the Clain river, the city of Poitiers boasts an exceptional architectural heritage, with historic treats from the Romanesque period to discover.
- Futurescope: Situated close to the city of Poitiers, this theme park is substantially different from any other, providing a complete sensory treat.
Tastes of Charentes
- Cognac: The Charentes vineyards are home to the world's most famous brandy.
- Pineau de Charentes: A thirst-quenching combination of Cognac and freshly-pressed grape juice from very ripe grapes.
Don't miss...
- The Charentes region is renowned for its natural sea salts, which are highly prized for cooking, including Fleur de Sel, varieties flavoured with spices, and coarse salted butters. You'll also find the salty wild vegetable-marsh samphire and delicious salt-marsh lamb.
Our regional team recommends
- Close to Poitiers, Futuroscope is a space-age, multimedia theme park for the digital generation with 3D adventures, virtual reality attractions and high-tech video games.
- Stroll around the historic port of La Rochelle with its bustling walled town packed with pavement cafés, shops and fine old buildings.
Did you know...?
The Cognac vineyards are France's second-largest production area, following Bordeaux.
Cottages to rent in France
Nearest Airports
Poitiers and La Rochelle.
Travel Tip
With its thousands of canals surrounded by beautiful, lush vegetation, the Marais Poitevin marshlandmarshland (also known as the Green Venice) is the perfect location for nature lovers to explore. Discover the waterways on a flat-boat, or by cycling, hiking, horseriding or canoeing.
