February 2008: Poitou-Charentes is a richly diverse region which ranges from the vineyards of Cognac to the beaches on the Atlantic Coast, in the West of France. With mouth-watering gastronomy, interesting history and monuments, new technologies at Futuroscope theme park and an exciting landscape, Poitou-Charentes has all the ingredients for a fantastic trip.
Les Orangeries (www.lesorangeries.com)
Les Orangeires, the first hotel in France to be awarded the “Ecolabel” distinction in May 2006 and the ‘1st Grand Prix Ecolabel” in 2007, in recognition of its responsible tourism, is to open new restaurant in May 2008. Continuing with its eco-friendly approach, the ingredients used by the restaurant will be based on fair trade products. Les Orangeries is also starting activities to increase awareness of eco issues. These are to include organic gardening and flower production sessions in March and September 2008, where guests learn to cultivate and ecological garden.
Normandoux (www.normandoux.fr)
This 16th and 17th century manor in Tercé, near Poitiers, opened its doors in September 2007. Today Normandoux has 28 apartments and villas, and is soon to open 17 more. With its gardens, swimming pools and equipment for children’s activities, Normandoux is a charming and relaxing place to stay. Furniture and ornaments which decorate the accommodation come from Salta in Argentina and are available for sale at the hotel.
In June 2008, a concert theatre and well-being centre are opening their doors. The well-being centre will have a spa, sauna, hamman and fitness centre.
Futuroscope (www.futuroscope.com)
Eight kilometers from Poitiers and with more than 30 fascinating experiences to choose from, Futuroscope is a leading tourist attraction in the Poitou-Charentes region. Futuroscope, which opened to the public in 1987, today has the most sophisticated technologies available including giant screens, 3D cinemas and cinemas-in-the-round.
New attractions available this year include:
• Castle of Giddiness (‘Citadelle du Vertige’): Hurl yourself into a vertiginous journey while keeping your balance.
• Lapland Express (‘Laponie Express’): Fly around the Arctic Circle at high speed.
• Dinosaurs: Get very close to these gigantic creatures of the lost world.
From April 2008, Futuroscope is introducing a world exclusive extraordinary experience:
• The Future is Wild: Thanks to advanced technology of ‘augmented reality’, join an interactive safari to the future and meet animals that might inhabit our planet in 5, 100 and 200 million years from now. Watch them, touch them and feed them in this real time world. In the presence of Toratons, Babookaris, Carakillers and Squibbons, you can live today what might be tomorrow.
Upcoming Festivals
• ‘From here and elsewhere’ music festival in Vivonne (www.vienneifo.ord/vivonne/festival)
This is a songs and music festival presenting various cultures and styles, with exhibitions, handicraft, concerts and bands from across the globe.
• Les Francofolies in La Rochelle (www.francofolies.fr)
In mid July, for those who like French music, discover the famous Francofolies in La Rochelle, one of the main music festivals in France.
• Circuit des Remparts in Angoulême (www.circuit-des-remparts.com)
In September, Angoulême’s annual Circuit des Remparts hits the city for one glorious weekend the streets of the old town are transformed to a full-blown Monaco-style race track.
Roc-aux-sociers (www.roc-aux-sorciers.com)
From 21st March 2008, in Angles sur l'Anglin (Vienne), one of the most beautiful villages in France, a 15,000 year old sculpted, painted and engraved frieze is to be opened to the public. Since it was discovered in 1950, Roc-aux-Sorciers has been being conserved and not open to public viewing.
Cycling
With more than 2,000 km of cycle tracks, hundreds of signposted mountain bike trails and thousands of tree-lined country roads, the Poitou-Charentes region is ideal for those who enjoy cycling. In Charente-Maritime, the Island of Ré (www.iledere.com) is a paradise for cyclists with more than 100 kilometres of cycle paths through salt marshes, vineyards and nature reserves.
At the end of March, the 120km cycle tracks between Parthenay and Thouars is ending.
Access
By Plane: The three regional airports are Angoulême (www.angouleme.cci.fr/aeroport.asp), La Rochelle (www.larochelle.aeroport.fr) and Poitiers (www.poitiers.cci.fr/aeroport/) and are serviced by flights from major UK cities including London, Dublin, Glasgow and Birmingham and Manchester with Ryanair and FlyBe.
By Boat: Brittany Ferries' ports propose travels from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, Poole to Cherbourg, from Plymouth and from Cork to Roscoff. Other ferry companies include Condor Ferries, Transmanche Ferries, Norfokline, P&O-Ferries, SeaFrance and SpeedFerries Ltd.
Note to Editors: With its equitable climate, Poitou-Charentes - the sunniest part of western France - is an area where you can enjoy many attractions. Visitors may enjoy, for example, the famous and unique Marais Poitevin, also known as Venice Verte, which connects the Poitou and the Vendée; the historic port of La Rochelle with its fine restaurants and magnificent sites; Futuroscope – a theme park for the senses; Cognac and Poitiers – the regional capital.
This is the perfect family holiday destination with a wealth of well run campsites, B&B’s, hotels and gîtes to choose from together with wide open spaces to enjoy activities which range from golf to water-sports.
For further information on all of the above, visit: www.poitou-charentes-vacances.com.
For more information contact:
Magellan PR on Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email: info@magellan-pr.com