Holiday Homes to Rent in Poitou-Charentes

Welcome to our selection of holiday homes to rent in Poitou-Charentes, France.

The region of Poitou-Charentes in the south-west of France has something for everyone; no matter whether you like to spent your holidays lying on the beach, trekking through an unspoilt forest, or visiting historic towns and museums. Stretching from the Atlantic coast and the beaches of towns like La Rochelle in the west, to the picturesque town of Poitiers in the east, it would be difficult to see all that the region has to offer in anything less than a week.

La Rochelle is one of the most well-known and most loved French holiday resorts. Not only does the town boast some fine, sandy beaches it also has an interesting historic port, complete with some excellent fish restaurants. There is plenty of entertainment for visitors of all ages, with kids entertained for in the beach areas and plenty of nightlife in the old town for teenagers. This area of France is also well known for its oysters, and as you drive, cycle or walk along the coastal roads and paths, you will see many oyster beds out at sea. Local restaurants should be serving these local oysters, but there are plenty of beach bars that sell oysters freshly harvested too.

Off the coast of Poitou-Charentes there are three islands that can be reached by boat, with several trips a day running to each in the summer months. Re island is the northernmost, across the Atlantic from La Rochelle, and an ideal destination for bike riders and hikers as there are several cycling paths across and around the island. The main town, St Martin en Re, while small, has several pleasant cafes, a still-used fishing port and a museum dedicated to the history of this fascinating community. The smallest island, Aix, has no traffic, making it the perfect place to take the kids cycling safely. There is a seven kilometres path that runs the whole way round the island's coast while the Napoleon museum is situated in the house where the fallen Emperor stayed before being sent into exile. Finally, the Oleron island is the largest island on the Atlantic coast, and is also home to a number of oyster beds. To get a great view of all the islands and the Poitou-Charentes coastline, climb the Chassiron lighthouse to its impressive height of 46 metres.

Inland from the spectacular coastline, the town of Cognac is a must-see for anyone who enjoys fine brandy. There are two museums in the town dedicated to the production and history of the iconic drink and many local Cognac houses are open to visitors for tours and tasting. Nearby is the town of Jarnac where the former president Francois Mitterand was born. A new museum in the town is used to exhibit many of the gifts he was given during his time in office.

Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Poitou-Charentes? Then below is a selection of gites in Poitou-Charentes and villas in Poitou-Charentes that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.