Some of the better-known towns in the Poitou-Charentes
region, France.
Angoulême.
Angoulême, the former capital of
the historic province of Angoumois, is the capital of the département
of Charente. Situated 275 miles southwest of Paris, 51 miles
southwest of Limoges and 68 miles northeast of Bordeaux, it
is easily accessible. The upper town stands on a hill overlooking
the confluence of the Anguienne and Charente rivers 230 feet
below.
Châtellerault.
Châtellerault, is the second largest
town in Poitou-Charente, and is located in the département
of Vienne, about 22 miles north-northeast of Poitiers and 51
miles south of Tours. The town lies on both banks of the Vienne
River, just north of the Clain River. Route National 10 passes
through the town and the A10 Autoroute is adjacent – it
is on both main routes between Bordeaux and Paris.
Cognac.
Cognac, which was originally a salt exporting port, lies along
the Charente River, 297 miles southwest of Paris, 20 miles northwest
of Angoulême and 16 miles southeast by east of Saintes.
This département of Charente town has been famous for
its brandy since the 18th century. Cognac has long been celebrated
by every lover of fine brandy. The whole town seems to be engaged
in the brandy business in some way or another. The brandy is
distilled locally.
La Rochelle.
The fishing port of La Rochelle, which is located on an inlet
in the Bay of Biscay, was the administrative center for the
historic province of Aunis and is the current capital of the
département of Charente-Maritime. It is 290 miles southwest
of Paris, 16 miles north of Rochefort, 32 miles southwest of
Niort and directly to the east of the Île de Ré.
There is a major commercial port nearby, called La Pallice,
about 3.5 miles away.
Niort.
The capital of the département of Deux-Sèvres
is Niort. It is situated 94 miles north of Bordeaux and 32 miles
northeast of La Rochelle, on the slopes of hills on the left
bank of the Sèvre Niortaise River.
Poitiers.
Poitiers is perched upon high ground, overlooking the juncture
of the Clain and Boivre rivers, 207 miles southwest of Paris,
40 miles northeast by east of Niort and 15 miles south of Châtellerault.
Route National 10 and the A10 Autoroute run adjacent to the
town to its west. Poitiers is the capital of the département
of Vienne.
Rochefort.
The town of Rochefort lies on the right bank of the Charente
River, 6 miles east of the Bay of Biscay, in the département
of Charente-Maritime. It is 18 miles southeast of La Rochelle,
255 miles southwest of Paris and 78 miles north of Bordeaux.
Saintes.
The town of Saintes is located on the Charente River, in the
département of Charente-Maritime. It is 47 miles southeast
of La Rochelle, 291 miles southwest of Paris, 64 miles north
of Bordeaux, 16 miles west of Cognac and 18 miles southeast
of Rochefort, just south of the junction of Autoroutes A10 and
A837.
