2011

Animal Magic in the

Poitou-Charentes, France
Tourist attractions, holidays and things to do and see in the
Poitou-Charentes
So, why choose the Poitou-Charentes for a holiday? Well first of all, as well as lots of things to do
and fabulous tourist attractions, there’s the climate. The region is south of the Loire Valley and parts of the
Poitou-Charentes are reckoned to have the most sunshine hours a year in France outside of the
Mediterranean.

The summers are generally quite long,

warm and sunny, though you can expect
a few rainy days too, while the autumns
are usually clear and bright. The winters
can get cold the further inland you go,
but they don’t last long, and you can
often expect a warm spell in March or
even February.

Another great reason is the food and

wine in the Poitou-Charentes. It’s not only home to cognac, but also the underrated aperitif pineau and
some excellent local wine - especially from the Haut-Poitou area in the north of the region close to the
Loire Valley.

The region is equally and rightly noted for its great local delicacies too – for example cheese, honey,
poultry, butter and snails – as well as fine restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars.

Then there is the sheer variety of things to do and see in the Poitou-Charentes, such as leisure
parks, golf and beautiful towns and villages. It’s divided into four departments – the Charente, Charente-
Maritime, Deux-Sèvres and the Vienne – and each has its own charms, character and tourist attractions.

Animal magic! Zoos, animal parks & aquariums in the

Poitou-Charentes

When it comes to furry, feathery and even scaly creatures, the Poitou-Charentes is a
veritable Noah’s Ark – it’s packed full of animal parks and zoos that allow you to see and get close to
animals, birds and reptiles from all over the world. Many of the
parks make great days out for all the family, or you can
combine a couple of the smaller ones for hours of animal How to use this guide
magic. Here are some to get you started...
Simply click on the title of the
Aquarium, Charente-Maritime One of Europe’s best attraction that interests you and
aquariums, it boasts more than 10,000 sea creatures of all you will be taken to the relevant
shapes, sizes and colours, including a massive shark tank and page on our website where you
the tunnel of water that makes you feel as though you are can find all the details you
underwater. La Rochelle, Quai Louis Prunier; tel 05 46 34 00 require to make the most of your
00; www.aquarium-larochelle.com visit.

www.Discover-Poitou-Charentes.com

Top tip...
When buying tickets always ask
if there are special deals. Some
attractions in the Poitou-
Charentes offer discounted
tickets if you buy for a number
of attractions at one time. There
are always discounts for groups,
and with the bigger theme
parks, accommodation packages
can offer the best value.
Zoo de la Palmyre, Charente-Maritime One of the best
zoos in Europe, set in 14 hectares in the pine forest, Foret de
la Courbe, , see more than 1,600 types of animal from all five
continents including polar bears and snow leopard to Siberian
tigers, elephants, monkeys and apes. Les Mathes near Royan;
tel 08 92 68 18 48; www.zoo-palmyre.fr
Les Oiseaux du Marais Poitevin See more than 70
species of birds in the beautiful natural setting of the Marais
Poitevin, known as ‘Green Venice’. Information panels around
the park explain about the birds as well as plants. Le Petit
Buisson, St Hilaire la Palud; 05 49 26 04
09;www.oiseauxmaraispoitevin.com

Planete des Crocodiles, Vienne The region’s newest

animal attraction, it boasts more than 200 crocodiles that are housed in large bio-spheres that reflect their
native habitat. Route du fond d’Orveau, Civaux; tel 05 49 91 80 00; www.planete-crocodiles.com

Safari Parc de Haute Saintonge, Charente See animals from Europe, Asia and North America (mainly
deer) behave as ‘in the wild’ on a two-you’re your in chauffeur-driven, open-topped four-wheel drive
vehicles. You can also go quad-bike riding on tracks that offer three different levels of expertise.
Guizengeard, near Cognac; tel 05 45 98 99 31; www.safari-parc-de-haute-saintonge.abcsalles.com

La Vallee des Singes, Vienne Mountain gorillas are one of the stars of the show at this animal park that
has thirty species of ape and monkey, many of which are free to swing and leap around you as you walk. Le
Gureau, Romagne; tel 05 49 87 20 20; www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr.

Zoodyssée, Deux-Sévres As well as a range of wildlife including wolves, lynxes, deer and birds of prey,
the 25 hectare animal park is also a lovely place to go for a forest walk or take a tour in a horse-drawn
carriage. Villiers en Bois; tel 05 49 77 17
17; www.zoodyssee.org

L'île Aux Serpents, Vienne If slithering

creatures are your thing, at this animal park
you can feast your eyes of 50 species of
reptile, including snakes, iguanas, lizards and
turtles. Route de Montmorillon; La
Trimouille; tel 05 49 91 23
45; www.ileauxserpents.com

Mouton Village, Deux-Sévres If sheep are your thing, then head for this park where you can check out
23 breeds of sheep from around the world, learn about their history and how they fit into agriculture
today. You can also see cheese being made and shop! Maison du Mouton, Vasles; tel 05 49 69 12
12; www.moutonvillage.fr

Parc de l'Arche de Noé, Ile de Ré, Charente-Maritime Parrots and cockatoos from around the

www.Discover-Poitou-Charentes.com
world are the main attraction, along with flamingos. Plus there’s an interesting aquarium too. Saint Clément
des Baleines; tel 05 46 29 23 23; www.parc-archedenoe.com

Words: Rachel Loos – AMM France

Photos: © Christelle - Fotolia; Eric Gevaert – Fotolia; Roger Moss – SARL Roger Moss

www.Discover-Poitou-Charentes.com