Tourist attractions in SouthWest France.
What is there to do in the Poitou-Charentes, Dordogne and Haute-Vienne?
This is a directory of tourist attractions, excursions and pastimes for kids, teens and family - compiled and enhanced by owners of tourist accommodation in these regions. Only accredited and appropriately insured providers are listed.
The directory proceeds by category. Click on any of these below to see the sorts of activity available. We only cite places we have been to ourselves in the Poitou-Charentes, Dordogne and Vienne. Your accommodation should have additional information for you too. Please call them if you want to know more.
*Accommodation registered with their local tourism office should be able to give you discount vouchers for reduced entry to many of the holiday activities listed in the following pages. Follow the asterisk * to see discounts we know to be available.
These regions benefit from a lot of sunshine year-round. The Charente, for example, is the second-sunniest region in France to the Cote d'Azur (based on average days of sun per year). But even if it does rain, there are still plenty of things to do.
Disabled people are able to enjoy most of the able-bodied attractions and sightseeing already listed in this directory. Some limitations may apply to a particular disability. However, please feel free to contact your accommodation owners directly. Many locations have a dedicated "Handi 'Cap Vacances' " facility allowing people with reduced mobility to participate in local activities..
Family holiday activities, tourist attractions, sightseeing, in the Poitou-Charentes, Dorgogne & Vienne:
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* WatersportsSailing, canoeing, windsurfing, kayaking, pedaloes, sandy beache. There is a range of water-borne adventures to suit all ages. Water parks such as "Nautilis" at Angouleme have wave pools and flumes. |
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* Adventure / Outward-bound ActivitiesHere is a selection of adventure or outward-bound holiday activities for fun and excitement during your holiday. The list includes "VeloRail" at Confolens; Karting; the "Acrobranche" adventure park at Massignac; Parc Bellevue at Limoges. You can even hire an aircraft with an English Instructor for a trip around our corner of France. All attractions and adventures are great fun. Some age restrictions apply. |
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* Historical - Castles & ancient sitesThere are French chateaux and other sites of historical interest for your stay. These include the Gallo-Roman thermal baths at Chassenon; the Rochechouart meteorite site; the Route of Richard the Lionheart. |
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GolfThere are international-standard golf courses within easy reach of most holiday locations in the Charente, Dordogne and Vienne. Green fees are excellent value and all courses come highly recommended. |
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* Animals & NatureThis list includes horse-riding, Vallee des Singes (Valley of the Monkeys), Ile aux Serpents (Serpent Island) and many more animal parks. Great fun for all the family. |
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Beauty Treatments and SPA facilitiesComplete relexation with a beauty treatments and SPA facilities. Go on. Pamper yoruself! |
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Restaurants, Bars & NightlifeHere is a selection of restaurants bars and nightlife that we recommend. The range is wide, from chateaux to chippies and curry take-aways! We also list bars showing english footie and there are also discos for teens! |
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Fishing in FranceThere are many public and private places to fish in the Charente, Dordogne and Vienne. Click the title for fuller details. This list is centred around allowing you to bring the whole family to enjoy the many activities on offer in this region, while the major theme will be fishing. |
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Cognac & Wine tasting & toursIncludes tours around Martell, Remy Martin, St. Sornin. |
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Culture & traditional arts and craftsThis section includes cultural activities like the Confolens festival, Traditional arts and crafts include a chocolatier, a cheese-maker and pottery. |
