The Region hits up against the Atlantic coast. Nestled between the châteaux and the castles of the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux vineyards, the Region is a part of France that received some of the greatest numberof days of sun. With about 2,250 hours of sunshine per year.

There are beaches and forests. Resorts such as La Rochelle, Royan and the islands of Oléron, Aix and Ré are all very busy in the summer. We have toured the valley of Vienne, the foothills of Charente and of course, a visit to Cognac.

The Region has the following Departments: 16 Charente (Angoulême is the capital city); 17 Charente Maritime (La Rochelle is the capital city); 79 Deux Sèvres (Niort is the capital city); and 86 Vienne (with Poitiers the capital city of the department.