the region - Poitou-Charentes (now Nouvelle Aquitaine - from 2016)
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From 2016, a number of the previous administrative regions of France were merged, from 22 regions to 13 regions. The Poitou-Charente region has joined Aquitaine (to the south) and Limousin (to the east) to form the new region of Nouvelle Aquitaine.
The previous Poitou-Charentes region of western France is one of the sunniest regions in the country. It is south west of Paris and only 2.5 to 3hrs by TGV away. You can fly into the region from Paris, London and other European ports. It also has a great highway system. Among the highlights on the coast are the island of Ile-de-Ré and the fascinating historical town of La Rochelle, while inland you can discover the fields of sunflowers and quiet villages for which the region is known. |
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There are four departments that make up the Poitou-Charentes region: Charente (to the south), Charente-Maritime (to the west), Deux-Sèvres (to the north) and Vienne (to the east). Charente-Maritime is the only one of these departments that has coastline. |
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the Charente department
The Charente department in the southern Poitou-Charentes region is a quiet department, ideal for those seeking to escape the crowds and spend time exploring this largely unspoiled rural area.
There are some notable highlights to be explored in the department, above all the town of Angouleme which has an attractive centre that is pleasant to explore. To the north-east of Angouleme, Confolens also has some interesting monuments.
Perhaps the most famous town in Charente is Cognac, where you can learn everything related to this popular liqueur - and have plenty of opportunities to try and buy a few bottles of Cognac to take home with you...
There are some notable highlights to be explored in the department, above all the town of Angouleme which has an attractive centre that is pleasant to explore. To the north-east of Angouleme, Confolens also has some interesting monuments.
Perhaps the most famous town in Charente is Cognac, where you can learn everything related to this popular liqueur - and have plenty of opportunities to try and buy a few bottles of Cognac to take home with you...
Our village, Verteuil-sur-Charente is in the northern part of the Charente department and is best known for its picturesque château on the banks of the Charente River. The Charente river is a 381-kilometre long slow-moving river that meanders its way across the region before emptying into the Atlantic ocean. King François I once called it the "loveliest river in his kingdom". The river passes through a placid and pretty landscape of sunflower fields, woodland, vineyards, farmland and numerous villages and towns.
