2019 press kit LONDON LA VIENNE is calling – resistance is futile Spend your time in the heart of Western France and discover a visit unlike any other Located between Paris and Bordeaux, within easy The region also offers other fascinating wild Ani- PARIS reach of Castles of the Loire Valley or the town mal parks like the exotic Crocodile Planet! For golf of Cognac, La Vienne’s capital Poitiers, is only 75 lovers, there’s a range of golf courses and with minutes from the Atlantic Ocean! the best hiking trails, la Vienne can be discovered on either foot, bike, canoe, or horse. Poitiers and La Vienne have lots to offer. Past meets future here and there is genuinely so- At Futuroscope, France’s second largest theme mething to interest everyone: beautiful castles park, you’ll have a host of new and thrilling expe- EASY ACCESS and cathedrals, a 2,000 year history, and glorious riences. More than 25 attractions are on offer to Through Eurostar (via Lille or Paris), palaces, as well as exciting parks and picturesque thrill and surprise you! 90 minutes away from Paris with the POITIERS villages. Poitiers is a lively and young capital, one TGV (high-speed train), and 3 direct LA ROCHELLE third of the population being a student, as Poi- La Vienne offers an array of traditional and unique weekly flights between London and tiers is home to one of the largest universities in accommodation: Hotels, tree houses, authentic COGNAC Poitiers this winter (4 to 5 weekly France. Naturally, a wide choice of entertainment caravans, gites and more! Whether in town or in flights in Spring and Summer). and cultural events are provided in the area. the country, in a hotel or a friendly B&B, you are By road: motorway A10, sure to be enchanted by Gallic hospitality. 330 kms South-West from Paris. All this rich heritage is complemented by a range BORDEAUX of activities based within an hour’s drive within Do not hesitate to go online and visit the website the county. Sport and Nature being on the top list www.tourisme-vienne.com/en. There you will find of our visitors just after the Cultural topics, you custom holiday packages, pages of information, shouldn’t miss the valley of Monkeys, where you contacts, and great offers! can see these primates in their natural habitat, In La Vienne, there is something for everyone, such as gorillas, baboons who all enjoy great free- everything that you could wish for in a holiday. dom in a natural environment. A truly unique experience, like nowhere else…! La Vienne La Vienne County the best-keptThe undiscovered country injewel the heart of Western France.in Poitou 460,000 inhabitants It doesn’t take much exposure to La in France hosting Bonobos, and where you Abyssea Centre in Civaux, it’s such a treat!.. Vienne to develop a serious addiction. can wander around their territories in total The difficulty comes when trying to select freedom! Sports and Golf, the drive of your life 20 major tourist sites a favorite part of this mesmerizing land… With four well-equipped and very different Show Time 18-hole courses for both beginners and LOUDUN Heritage: A wonderful History Opera, modern music, exhibitions, dance, experts, La Vienne rolls out the green Medieval and World UNESCO Heritage With its rich legacy of great moments in theatre, medieval festivals and more… carpet for golfers. In Saint-Cyr, Mignaloux- history, La Vienne is home to a wealth of Explore every cultural avenue! More than Beauvoir, Roiffé or La Roche-Posay, Romanesque art and some of France’s 3000 events throughout the year –Poitiers you can find the best courses as well as Poitiers, a college town with 30,000 students most famous historical figures, from is a lively and young capital, one third of exquisite taste treats in their restaurants! CHÂTELLERAULT Joan of Arc to Voltaire. One should not the population being a student, as Poitiers Looking for an amazing experience, an miss either the craft activities in Medieval is home to one of the largest universities A famous well-being centre in La Roche-Posay adrenaline rush, to take the plunge? Do Montmorillon, the amazing Poitiers city, in France. Naturally, a wide choice of something different and transport yourself and the Abbey of Saint-Savin, a World entertainment and cultural events are beyond your wildest dreams! Canoeing, Futuroscope Theme Park: UNESCO Heritage – no wonder why! provided in the area. cable waterskiing, hiking, riding, all these POITIERS CHAUVIGNY sports are yours! • second biggest theme park in France Adventure Futuroscope Theme Park Gastronomy, a way of life • more than 50 million tourists In 2017 Futuroscope celebrated its 30th Restaurateurs and producers work Romance, and delightful since its opening in 1987 birthday! Have a great escape with your together closely to create fine cuisine from accommodation family and enjoy more than 30 experiences the local produce… Along with cave-cellars, Authentic places to stay, offering MONTMORILLON that bring you fun and thrills. And this year, fifty wine producers and environmentally- everything from the height of luxury to 500 leisure activities the Park is buzzing with an amazing line-up friendly production methods, La Vienne is simple elegance, where quality is the of new attractions, brand new live shows, a draw for wine lovers everywhere. key; unforgettable hotels that stand out unexpected encounters and more… The latest Center Parcs in France, from the crowd… Lord it up in a chateau Zen & Relaxation with 800 cottages in an eco-friendly or experience our gipsy caravans as well Ecotourism: Wild animal parks Recharge your batteries… as the cabans in the trees, the cabins of environment You don’t have to go on a far-flung our Floating Village in Pressac, the unique CIVRAY Slip into the comforting, relaxing expedition to observe and learn about and stimulating water. Let go and be cottages from the brand new French Center Parcs “Le Bois aux Daims”, or our nature and traditional cultures. Try the pampered. La Vienne’s stylish spas feature warm chambres d’hôtes! The choice is sustainable and eco-responsible holidays the latest facilities and staff trained in the yours. on offer in La Vienne… and discover for finest treatment rituals: in La Roche-Posay, example the Monkeys Valley, unique park at the Normandoux Mansion Hotel or at For more information on visiting La Vienne, visit tourisme-vienne.com Historic 7 Wildlife 9 The Nature Trails 11 Mouth-watering 13 Arts & Crafts 15 Wine 17 Well-being 19 Sporting Vienne 21 Center Parcs 23 Futuroscope 25 Cultural Calendar 27 accommodation 29 Historic Vienne The Poitou region will please lovers of both the Prehistoric and Middle Ages as well as Romanesque art enthusiasts. Come and see for yourselves! In the footsteps of Eleanor of Aquitaine Angles-sur-l’Anglin, a fabulous journey The uniqueness of Chauvigny The medieval Queen, Eleonor of Aquitaine back in time! An essential leg of your journey through la was a major figure in the Middle Ages & Described as one of the prettiest villages in Vienne is Chauvigny, on the way to Poitiers a prominent figure in women’s history. France and awarded the 2 flower label for and just twenty minutes from Futuroscope. Famously described as perhaps the most its floral decorations, the village of Angles Chauvigny & its five châteaux dominate the powerful woman in the 12th century, has a very rich cultural history. People have Vienne River from the same rocky cliff, a truly Eleonor was Queen Consort to both Louis been living on the banks of the Anglin river unique site in Europe. Chauvigny is also an VII of France and Henry II of England not since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the important site for Romanesque architecture to mention the mother of Richard the Magdalenian sculptures at Roc-aux-Sorciers. with the Saint Pierre Collegiale Church (12th Lionheart. Traces of her can be found all These are the most significant discoveries of C) famous for its sculptured chapels and over Poitiers, a place close to her heart. their kind in Europe & are 15 000 years old! painted columns, the Notre-Dame Church The interpretative centre offers visitors (12th C) and the Saint-Pierre-des-Eglises with Poitiers: town of Art, the chance to discover an innovative its pre-Romanesque murals. Heritageand 2000 years of History reconstruction of this exceptional site via an The Donjon (Keep) de Gouzon (11th & 13th C) You will not fail to be amazed by Notre- educational multimedia display. After being provides a panoramic view and also houses Dame-la-Grande church, a masterpiece of taken back through time to the Magdalenian examples of local industrial production Historic Romanesque art recognized for the elegance era, visitors will be able to discover the magic through the ages (stone quarries, porcelain, Vienne of its sculpted and decorated facade. Equally, of this unforgettable frieze. (Accessible to the mills and limestone ovens, a steam wheel, etc). the impressive Saint-Pierre cathedral and visually impaired ). In the upper part of the town, the high its 600m2 of renovated Gothic paintings: a ruins of the Baronnial Château become the significant and virtually unique collection to Le Cormenier Museum backdrop for The Giants of the Sky, a flying be found in any French cathedral ! In Champniers, discover the history of this bird show with birds of prey from all over rural family from the birth of Pierre at the the world skimming over you at breakneck The Romanesque ‘Sistine Chapel’ beginning of the 20th century to the First speed (every day up to 30 th September).