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Charente – Charente-Maritime – Deux-Sèvres – Vienne

Poitou-Charentes

Atlantic coast and Cognac country

Table of contents > Regional Overview 2 > Maps and access 3 > Not to be missed - La Rochelle and the Atlantic islands 4 - The Marais Poitevin 5 - Cognac country 5 - Poitiers & Futuroscope theme park 5 > 2009, highlights - Green tourism 6 - « Take me to the river Charente » 9 - Destination Cognac and… Pineau des Charentes 10 - Fun with the family 11 - Accommodation (charming, design, atypical) 13 - Gastronomy 16 > NEWS 2009 - Futuroscope theme park - new attractions 17 - Angoulême new Comic Strip Museum 19 > Festivals and events 20 > Useful information 21 > Press contact 22

Press Information 2009

www.visit-poitou-charentes.com

PRESS CONTACTS: Sandrine PAILLONCY � Tel: +33 (0) 5 49 50 26 55 � Email: [email protected]

Gillian GREEN – Magellan PR � Tel: +44 (0)20 8875 2850 � Email: [email protected] 2

Regional overview

Seaside, countryside between the Atlantic coast and the valleys

Welcome to Poitou-Charentes! Poitou-Charentes is located on the French west coast between Bordeaux and Nantes. The people of Deux-Sèvres, Charente-Maritime, Charente and Vienne will be more than pleased to share the secrets and richness of their region and their lifestyle. From north to south, from east to west, the landscape assumes a dazzling variety of forms allowing for a wide variety of holiday activities, whatever may be your interests. What could be more agreeable than to be free to choose, one day after another, between a boat trip through the Marais Poitevin marshes, a day's sunbathing on the Atlantic coast, a short cruise to discover the islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix, a tour of the cellars in Cognac followed by a chance to taste brandy, or an excursion down a road dotted with outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture? Rich in history and monuments, the Poitou-Charentes region is striding into the new millennium by ex-ploring the many developments in new technologies to be sampled at Futuroscope theme park. Making intelligent use of its natural and cultural heritage and combining it with technological dynamism, the region has put together all the ingredients of a highly attractive lifestyle. Poitou-Charentes also means a warm welcome and mouth-watering gastronomy that will titillate even the most demanding gourmets. From seafood to goat’s cheese, from cognac to Broyé du Poitou, the products of Poitou-Charentes reflect the region's character - part-rural, part-maritime.

Poitou-Charentes key figures > Population: around 1,700,000 people > A 300-mile coastline > Six villages listed as the “most beauti-ful villages of France” and many villages with character > Four main cities: Poitiers, Niort, An-goulême and La Rochelle. > The vineyards of Cognac, the second largest area of production in France after Bordeaux, cover an area of 80,000 hectares. 94% of sales are made on the export market.



Map and access How to get to Poitou-Charentes?

Poitou-Charentes region - 4 departments

By boat Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries, Norfolkline, P&O-Ferries, Seafrance, SpeedFerries Ltd, LD lines and Irish Ferries have regular links with French Channel ports. All the ports are within half a day drive from Poitou-Charentes.

By road From the north of France, from Normandy, Brittany and Paris, main roads lead to Poitou-Charentes. From the north follow the directions towards Bordeaux and then Poitiers or La Rochelle. The A10 motorway and Nationale10 road link Poitiers to Bordeaux and A837 and Nationale 137 road link La Rochelle to Saintes via Rochefort.

By train - Eurostar: From London-St Pancras via Lille-Europe or via Paris: daily services to Poitiers and Angoulême. For example, from London-St Pancras to Poitiers via Lille-Europe: around 3h30. - From Paris - Montparnasse station: with the TGV Atlantique, to Futuroscope train station (1h20), to Poitiers (1h30), An-goulême (2h15), Niort (2h15) and La Rochelle (3h). From Bordeaux there are services to Angoulême (50 minutes) and Poi-tiers (1h35).

By air Access from the main cities in UK and Ireland

The three airports of the region, Angoulême, La Rochelle and Poitiers, are directly linked to main cities of UK and Ireland.

> Angouleme airport: www.angouleme.cci.fr/aeroport.asp > La Rochelle airport: www.larochelle.aeroport.fr > Poitiers airport: www.poitiers.cci.fr/aeroport/ Some routes are seasonal.

1st April 2009, Ryanair opens a new route from Edinburgh to Poitiers.



La Rochelle

La Rochelle, beauteous and mutinous

The fortified town of La Rochelle has built its splendour on and around the ocean. The cultural and architectural heritage of this one-time fishing village sheds light on its mari-time vocation: the towers on the lookout over the entrance to the ancient port, the large clock, the Renaissance abodes of the one-time ship-owners, the arcaded shop-lined streets, the museums ... and the giant aquarium. A rebel at heart in the crevices of its time-chiselled stones, the capital of French Protes-tantism is suffused with its glorious past. It is when promenading along the port of the Mi-nimes, close to l’Ile of Ré, that one is most impressed by the maritime calling of La Ro-chelle. Not just a magnificent city replete with history, La Rochelle is above all a great place to live.

Not to be missed

Aix “The Genuine”

Is a small island (120 inhabitants) located between Ré and Oléron. It is 600m wide and three km long. There are no cars or buses - only a boat to reach the island! Looking toward Ré and Oléron, you can see Fort Boyard. The island is to be explored on foot, by bike and by carriage! It takes about three hours to circle the island on foot.

Madame “The Kid Sister” With its 75 inhabitants, Madame is the smallest of the four islands. Access to the island is afforded by foot, at low tide, from Port-des-Barques by way of "passe aux boeufs" - a submerged road. One road circles the island along the sheltered coast punctuated by creeks offering lovely panoramas of the Charente estuary and the Fouras peninsula.

The atlantic islands

Four isles, four different atmospheres, four beauties

Just off the Atlantic coast, you may visit four exceptional islands - Ré « The White », Aix « The Genuine », Madame « The Kid Sister » and Oléron « The Luminous ».

Ré “The White” Located opposite La Rochelle, the island, with an area of 85m2 may be reached by a bridge with a three kilometer span. A jewel of the Atlantic coast, the Ile de Ré has ma-naged to conserve its charm and authenticity. Visitors will be won over by the beauty of its landscapes and its villages with their small, white, green-shuttered houses. Extensive beaches with fine sand along with an exceptional climate render this an ideal setting for those seeking out sunny skies where there is room to breathe.

Oléron “the Luminous” - area around 175 km²

With an area of 175 km² this is the second largest island in France, linked to the conti-nent by a viaduct. Here are located the ponds where the famous Marennes-Oléron oysters are fattened up! Colourful oyster-loaded boats come and go in a sort of sea-side Ballet! On the island, the unique countryside can be explored on foot, by bike or on horse-back! Military and maritime Oléron possesses the citadel of Oléron and Fort Boyard (yes indeed, that’s the fort known to French TV viewers!). The Oléron patrimony is also comprises numerous Romanesque churches, typical vil-lages, and pretty harbours. Oléron features a unique succession of long sandy beaches, bordered by magnificent forests of maritime pines, green oaks and marram grasses.

www.france-atlantic.co.uk



Not to be missed

A “plate” to crisscross the Marais

Low-sided, flat-bottomed punts, more commonly known as “plates”, were for many years the one means of transport allo-wing people and goods to wend their way through the marshes. In today’s marshland, there exist some 4,000 kilometres of waterways. There are numerous landing areas along the Sèvre Niortaise and punts are available for hire. Visitors can ply the waterways on their own or else with a boatman ready to regale them with tales of the history, traditions and customs of “Green Venice”. It is also a great place for fishing.

The Marais Poitevin

Also known as « Green Venice », the Marais Poitevin is the second largest temperate zone in France and the fifth in Europe. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the town of Niort in Deux- Sèvres, these famous marshlands are blessed with a particularly agreeable climate. The best way to discover this magical land is to explore the villages and marshland ports. There is evidence all around of the ‘industrial’ past of the area: washers, sluices, fountains, water passages, dovecotes... The countryside is in symbiosis with its environment…The Marais Poitevin is vast - over 90,000 hectares of green dissected by thousands of canals. Explore on foot, by fishing boat or canoe, by bicycle, in a carriage or on horse-back. www.parc-marais-poitevin.fr / www.marais-poitevin.fr

Cognac country www.lacharente.com

The capital of brandy production has strong links to the past. The Château des Valois, for example, birthplace of King François I, delights history …and cognac enthusiasts. It is now the property of Maison Otard. The “liquor of gods”, as Victor Hugo called it, cognac owes its character to the warm, humid climate in this part of Western France. Otard, Camus, Hennessy, Martell, Rémy-Martin and Courvoisier can be found here and all offer guided tours of their cellars and vineyards. The vineyards of Cognac constitute the 2nd largest area of production in France after Bordeaux and cover an area of 80,000 hectares.

Leading cognac producers, organizing guided visits and tasting sessions In Cognac, Jarnac and Rouillas, the leading cognac producers (Camus, Hennessy, Martell, Otard, Renault-Bisquit, Louis-Royer, Rémy-Martin or Courvoisier) propose guided tours explaining the processes used to make cognac. Charente Valley Between Angoulême and the Atlantic Ocean, the River Charente flows slowly, through beautiful countryside, with mills dot-ting the landscape, villages sleeping under the watchful eye of a Romanesque church in the heart of vineyards, small humpback bridges joining tiny islands covered in meadows, and golden hillsides carpeted with the vineyards . By boat, car or bike, there are different ways to discover the Charente valley and enjoy the tranquility of Cognac country.

Poitiers combining Past and Future

Ancient capital of Poitou, present-day capital of the Poitou-Charentes region, 'Ville d'art et histoi-re', bastion of Roman art in France, Poitiers has a truly exceptional architectural legacy. There are over 2,000 years of history to discover whilst strolling through the city streets: from vestiges of the Gallo-Roman period with buildings dating back to the first Christian era; splen-dours of Roman art such as the superb church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande; reminders of Gothic times, Renaissance masterpieces and handsome nineteenth century edifices. Now a university town and an administrative centre, Poitiers is obviously dynamic, full of energy, a delightful place to visit as it combines that heady mixture of vitality and tranquility. Futuroscope theme park www.futuroscope.com Futuroscope, near Poitiers in the Poitou-Charentes region of France, opened to the public in June 1987 with the aim to “harness the future”. Since it opened, the park has welcomed over 35 mil-lion visitors, making it the second largest leisure park in France. It is substantially different from any other “theme park” as it is based on the visual and the senses, thus appealing to a very wide audience of all age groups. See News 2009 for new attractions pages 17-18

www.ot-poitiers.fr



2009 - Highlights

Green tourism 1/3

A large range of activities, with no incident on environment!

Between the ocean, the Poitevin marshes, the valleys and the vineyards, Poitou-Charentes has lots of activities to offer to all nature lovers.

Cycling

In Poitou-Charentes the bicycle is king! Whether with friends of family, as a form of relaxation, or simply to use to explore or exercise, cycling is the only way to travel. The undulating countryside is easy to traverse; there are a wide variety of land-scapes to explore with over 1000 kilometres of bike paths; hundreds of sign posted mountain bike circuits; as well as innu-merable small, safe roads criss-crossing the region. If the seaside is the preference, then relish the holiday atmosphere, the splendid vistas and the gentle bike paths, encompassing the isles of Ré and Oléron for example.

Walking Whether looking for an arduous hike or just a casual stroll, Poitou-Charentes provides something for the most discer-ning walker - whatever their ability. Wherever a visitor may be, there are well-marked itineraries taking walkers from one surprise to another. Numerous ru-ral roads have been resurfaced and made good. Three major

GR footpaths and some of the famous pilgrimage rou-tes to Santiago de Compostela cross through the region. Holiday Idea: Twitchers will enjoy exploring the boundless horizons of the Poitou marshlands on the Atlantic coast, refuge for thousands of birds, or the extensive bands of forest where pine trees dec-ked with mauve carnations and strawflowers bor-

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The Domaine de Dienné: A multi-activity complex in the heart of the countryside.

The Dienné estate is located less than 20 minutes from Poitiers. It offers a wide range of activities that include an adventure park with over a kilometre of zip lines, one of which is 450 metres long, a horse-riding centre and a hiking association…

Coming attractions 2009 Opening of a ‘village of nature’ with new and unusual tree houses, yurts, caravans, cottages and gîtes; there is a seminar room in the trees They will open a ‘preventive health’ restaurant with cooking les-sons on offer. There is a relaxation area with a SPA, Turkish bath, sauna, aquamusic…There are trails for hiking, riding and with moun-tain biking. www.domaine-de-dienne.fr

The « Thouet à vélo » itinerary NEW for 2009 It is now possible to explore the northern part of the re-gion by bike “Thouet à vélo”, following the River Thouet, with its 120 kilometres of safe, sign posted tracks. A hand-book gives detailed maps of the Thouet Valley, tourist in-formation, accommodation choices and all the information necessary to plan a stay. In 2009, “Thouet à vélo” will join the “Loire à vélo” route to the north later this year so a longer trip can be taken. www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com

Charente Vélo : a virtual road atlas The plan Charente Vélo (a virtual road atlas) may now be found online on the Charente Tourist Board website, where touring cyclists and mountain bikers will find many ways to enjoy their favorite leisure-time activity. • The European Road, the V3, linking Trondheim (Norway) to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) crosses through Cha-rente from Lessac to Chantillac. • Criss-crossing the region are 500 kilometres of bike paths and green’ trails that are suitable for all types of bicy-cle. • The seven local ’loops’, are downloadable from the web-site and are marked with small black bicycle symbols; each ‘loop’ contains three circuits. It is envisaged that 77 local loops will one day be interwoven throughout the ‘department’. • Along the borders of Limousin and Périgord there are 1,000 kilometres of mountain bike trails They are divided into five separate areas having different degrees of diffi-

Fishing & bird Watching With the ocean, 8,000 kilometres of rivers and streams, hundreds of ponds and lakes, marshlands – water plays an incredibly important role in Poi-tou-Charentes. Fishermen will enjoy both fresh-water and ocean fishing whilst the nature reserves, valleys and marshes beckon bird watchers.



The Marais Poitevin, a paradise for nature lovers

Explore the marshes by boat, by bike, on horseback or on foot. First, take a guided tour of “Green Venice” in a flat-bottomed boat. Or explore the Marais on solo with a canoe or a rowing boat. Alternatively, design a personal cycling tour and find out what a paradise for cyclists this can be, with its 45 kilometres of secure marked trails. Country scenes abound - villages nestling between the plains and the marsh, cows grazing quietly on the islets. To conclude, take a horse and carriage ride and trot at a leisurely speed through the traditional villages of the area.

2009 - Highlights

Green tourism 2/3

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Cooking lessons in the Marais Poitevin: Located in Coulon, the Conserverie du Marais trains one to prepare time-honored local dishes including beef with carrots, rabbit, poultry using products provided by a network of local far-mers. Baby food manufacture: Using the local organic food, the factory is devoted, as are the coking lessons, to the production of vegetable-based dishes for babies (fruit compote, purée….). www.saveursdumarais.com

The Marais by bike With more than 800 kilometres of well- marked, safe cycle paths, the Marais Poitevin is the first bicycle network crea-ted by the Inter-regional Park of the Poitou Marshlands and the ‘departments’. In Deux-Sèvres alone, there are some 45 kilometres of paths. The best way to discover this magi-cal land is to explore the villages and marshland ports. There is evidence all around of the ‘industrial’ past of the area: washers, sluices, fountains, water passages, doveco-tes... The countryside is in symbiosis with its environ-ment…The Marais Poitevin is vast - over 90,000 hectares of green dissected by thousands of canals. Explore on foot, by fishing boat or canoe, by bicycle, in a carriage or on hor-seback. A quality charter has been signed by more than 40 cycle companies that provide repair kits, maps, itineraries, on-site bicycle parking for any peddling holidaymaker! www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com

A new nature pole in the vicinity of the Poitou marshlands The new ‘Marais Poitevin’ nature centre opened on July 12th, 2008 in Taugon, midway between Niort and La Ro-chelle. In this new space, the first room projects images that showcase the colors and atmospheres of the swam-pland. With numerous photos, the models in the second room reveal the ingeniousness of the marshland dwellers, who have succeeded in converting inhospitable swamps and their unpromising surroundings into decent places to live. As for the third room, this is where one may talk to local inhabitants and hear their stories The site likewise offers a regular schedule of temporary theme- based exhibitions. The visitor has the opportunity to experience the marshlands through a system of path-ways that have been constructed for the purpose.

www.en-charente-maritime.com

Traditional house in the Marais Poitevin



Hôtel Les Orangeries Lussac-les-Châteaux (Vienne) Les Orangeries, the first hotel in France to be awarded the “Ecolabel” distinction in May 2006 and the “1st Grand Prix Ecolabel” in 2007, in recognition of its responsi-ble tourism, is to open new restau-rant in May 2008. Continuing with its eco-friendly approach, the ingre-dients used by the restaurant will be based on fair trade products. Les Orangeries is also starting activities to increase awareness of eco issues. These are to include organic gardening and flower production sessions in March and September 2008, where guests learn to cultivate and ecological garden. Sightseeing and activities nearby: climbing at Roc d’Enfer, Pinail na-ture reserve, the medieval town of Chauvigny.

www.hotel-lesorangeries.com

Les Vignes de la Chapelle Hotel Sainte-Marie-de-Ré (Charente-Maritime) Between vineyards and ocean, this small relatively new hotel is an ideal place to relax and enjoy this protected area of nature in the south of the island. The hotel is set in a number of small houses and the rooms are luxuriou-sly furnishedThere is a heated swimming pool, steam bath, sauna and Jacuzzi. Sightseeing and activities nearby: Eco-museum of the salt marshes in Loix, nature reserve of Lilleau des Niges in Portes-en-Ré, Saint-Martin-de-Ré ramparts. www.lesvignesdelachapelle.com

Le Domaine du Château re-sidence Lagord (Charente-Maritime) This self-catering property is situated just three kilometers from La Rochelle city centre and four kilometers from the Ile de Ré. There are 117 apart-ments plus a swimming pool, steam bath, sauna, massage room and fitness centre, all set in lovely gardens. Sightseeing and activities nearby: nautical activities, Ré island by bike, visit of La Rochelle. www.revalisever.com

La Brande Campsite Le Château d’Oléron (Charente-Maritime) This campsite is situated on the Ile d’ Oléron on a long sandy beach, in the shadow of umbrella pines. It is a family paradise having swimming pools, aquatic slides, steam bath and sauna. It also offers sports activities and plenty of space to relax. Sightseeing and activities nearby: Oyster farming, cycling, canoe through the marshes. www.camping-labrande.com

La Maison Flore Hotel Arçais (Deux-Sèvres) At Maison Flore, the owners do not just pay lip service to nature and environment. The hotel is cool in summer and warming in winter thanks to an aerothermal system using an air/water heat pump, itself powered by solar energy. 40m² of photovoltaic roof tiles give the hotel total independence as re-gards energy consumption. The hotel is good for the planet; such as breakfast and meals based on fair trade products or local produce, double re-fuse bins, organic mattresses, no systematic daily changing of linen, cisterns using rainwater and 100% biological clea-ning products! Sightseeing and activities nearby: take a flat-bottom boat in the Ma-rais Poitevin, biking and walking, visit the village of Arçais. www.maisonflore.com

La Venise Verte Campsite Coulon (Deux-Sèvres) In the very heart of the Marais Poitevin, this campsite –the second in France to obtain the EU Eco-label - is a protec-ted site which offers peace & quiet, back to nature fresh-ness… and sporting activities. It has chalets, mobile-homes and tents. (April 1st- November 15th). Sightseeing and activities nearby: take a flat-bottom boat in the Ma-rais Poitevin, cycling and walking, visit the village of Coulon. www.camping-laveniseverte.com

2009 - Highlights

Green tourism 3/3

EU Eco-label Accommodation in Poitou-Charentes The Flower is the symbol of the European Eco-label – your guide to greener products and services. It is a vo-luntary scheme designed to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the envi-ronment and for European consumers - including public and private purchasers - to easily identify them.

You can find the Flower throughout the European Union as well as in Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The European Eco-label is part of a broader strategy aimed at promoting sustainable consumption and production.

Hotels, campsites, self-catering accommodation, tourist sites and festivals have joined this environment-friendly initiative in Poitou-Charentes and seen their efforts rewarded by being awarded the label.



« Take me to the river Charente » That’s the perfect holiday for people who want to combine the tranquility of beautiful sceneries, the discovery of towns and villages with strong heritage and different activities… and the pleasure of driving. No licence required! It allows to stop whenever, wherever the cruisers want, regarding their interests.

River trips The river Charente is 360 kilometres (about 225 miles) long, and is navigable downstream from Angoulême which is 171 km (just over 100 miles) from Rochefort, close to the sea. Between Angoulême and Tonnay-Charente, the river has been kept in public ownership and its course is controlled by twenty-one locks. From the sea to Saint-Savinien, sometimes as far as Chaniers, it is tidal. Along the whole length of the river, the locks are worked by hand, meaning that river cruisers will have no constraints caused by opening hours or specific passage times.

2009 - Highlights

The River Charente

Sightseeing and visits Angouleme, the city of the image and the comic strip, Cognac and its distilleries, Saintes with the wonderful roman and romanesque heritage, Rochefort, with its strong maritime testimony. And all the small villages that worth a visit too. Cycling Cuisers can take their bicycles on board and be able to do daily shop in the many villages along the river. Or they will be able to cycle along the towpath to places to visit. Gastronomy Cruisers will appreciate the local cuisine in one of the many traditional or gourmet restaurants that will serve you local specialities, in particular fish and seafood, using Cognac and Pineau des Charentes. Fishing Don’t forget your fishing rods …the Charente is rich in fish and over the ages has appealed to lovers of trout, carp, pike, perch and eels… Golfing Angoulême, Cognac and Saintes with their magnificent 18-hole course. As for Saint-Porchaire and Rochefort, with their six – and nine – hole courses.

Houseboat rental For a weekend, five days, a week, or even a fortnight, crui-sers will love living on the water on board a boat that is extremely easy to manoeuvre (no licence is required). At arrival at the base, cruising companies show how to han-dle the craft, with all the advice needed for ensuring an en-joyable moment. Choice between almost forty types of boats. They are designed for couples and families, with two to three berth boats up to ten to twelve berth ones. They are usually available for a week starting on Saturday, and are fully equipped for your stay. The only thing cruisers have to do go food shopping before leaving! A river chart gives distances, show the position of villages and places of interest, mooring stations, places where sup-plies can be obtained etc.

Boat rental companies installed along the Charente: www.crownblueline.com / www.intercroisieres.com

Saintes, a Town of Artis-tic and Historical Inte-rest, founded over two thousand years ago, a stopover point on the pilgrims’ way to Com-postela, in the Roman



Discover Cognac and Pineau des Charentes People know Cognac, the famous “liquor of Gods” but have they ever heard about Pineau des Charentes, the delicious aperitif made with Cognac??

Cognac Warmed in a brandy glass in a cupped hand, cognac is generally drunk at the end of a meal. However it is becoming in-creasingly common to serve it as an aperitif, often mixed with a soda of some kind. The “liquor of gods”, as author Victor Hugo called it, owes its outstanding character to the warm, humid climate and the oil in this region of Western France. The vineyards are to be found in Charente and Charente-Maritime. The areas of production spread out around Cognac in concentric circles - Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires. Cognac is produced by blending several wines, each with its own flavour, specific bouquet and ability to age. The greatest care is taken in blending and it is the harmonious blends created by the Master of the Cellar in the large cognac houses or by individual distillers, which are left to age in oak casks where they gradually improve, developing their bouquet and beautiful amber colour.

Leading cognac producers Leading cognac producers (Camus, Hennessy, Martell, Otard, Renault-Bisquit, Louis-Royer, Rémy-Martin or Courvoisier) propose guided tours explaining the production processes. The tours include a visit to the distillation areas, cellars, bot-tling shops and, sometimes, the estate itself. There is also an audiovisual presentation and a tasting session.

Pineau des Charentes Pineau des Charentes is produced by a blend of three-quarters fresh grape juice must and one-quarter of cognac that is at least 60° proof. Since the alcohol prevents the must from fermenting, the blend re-tains its high sugar content. After energetic blending, it is stored in oak barrels and left to age. Pineau should be served well chilled, as an aperitif, a dessert wine or with melon and other fruit. Pineau blanc is drier; it is made from a grape variety known as "Saint-Emilion des Charentes" or "Folle blanche". Pineau rosé has a fruitier taste; it is made with red Cabernet and Merlot grapes.

2009 - Highlights

Destination Cognac… and Pineau des Charentes!

The “Cognac road” “Les étapes du Cognac”The “étapes du cognac” is an association which brings together more than one hundred members connected in some way or other with cognac, pineau and the va-rious products from wine-producing. Visitors can stop to small producers’ on the road whenever they want! 5 trails to explore cognac vineyards: “The town of Cognac”, “Cognac and the vine”, “Cognac and the river”, “Cognac and stone”, “cognac and tra-ditions”, “Cognac, stone and estuary”

www.cognacetapes.com

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Experience Cognac Everything people must know about Cognac, tourism in the area, city breaks, festivals, events, visits and pro-ducers...click Experience Cognac! www.experience-cognac.fr

Labelling information “***”, “VS”, “VSOP”, “VO”, “Réserve”, Napoléon” and “XO” are on the labels of cognac. All subject to regulations, they provide an indication of the age of the most recent spirit used in the blend. “ ***” or “VS” describes a cognac in which the youngest spirit is at least twenty-four months old. The other spirits used in the blend may be five or ten years old. For the bottles marked “Réserve”, “VO” or “VSOP”, the youngest spirit used is at least four years old. In fact, these types of cognac include a high percentage of brandy that has aged for ten, fifteen or twenty years, or maybe even longer. “Napoléon”, “Vieille Réserve”, “Extra” and “XO” are applied to cognacs which are at least six years old.



Leisure parks

Futuroscope theme park (Poitiers—Vienne) Thrills, imagination, discovery…….at Futuroscope, more than 30 fascinating experiences. Futuroscope provides a ge-nerous sampling of all existing image technologies in attractions equipped with the most sophisticated devices (giant screens, 3D cinemas, cinemas-in-the-round, dynamic cinemas), along with interactive entertainment, fountains and a children's amusement and discovery area. See News 2009 pages 17-18

2009 - Highlights

Fun with family 1/2

Poitou-Charentes: realm of growing children and full-grown adults!

Bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, Poitou-Charentes is characterised by landscapes composed of plains, enclosures and marshlands. The seacoast is fringed with dunes, long sandy beaches and oyster beds. The same landscapes may be found on the islands, which are small fragments of the continent cast adrift. There are many parts of the region which are safe play areas for children. For all tastes, Poitou-Charentes offers a wide array of visits and activities creating successful holidays! The discovery of the Marais Poitevin, the river Charente in a house boat, cycling, walking (see pages 6,7,9)

The La Rochelle Aquarium (Charente-Maritime) Only a short distance from the Old Harbour of La Rochelle. This seabed excursion begins in the depths a jellyfish tunnel, plumbs the world of Atlantic fish, pursues the path of an underwater hut, descends to the bottom of the Mediterranean and winds up reaching Caribbean shores, a tropical lagoon and the Great Barrier Reef. It is topped off by an encounter with sharks. Visitors will get to see some 10000 animals from the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the tropics; they are lodged within no less than three million liters of seawater. As children – and their parents - discover underwater life, they will admire the multicolored fish and tremble at the sight of the sharks! And before they leave the marine universe, they will take a stroll in a large-scale tropical greenhouse. They may also enjoy the second-floor Café de l’Aquarium with its unique setting and panoramic view of La Rochelle’s Vieux Port. New for 2009 is room dedicated to regional and tropical jellyfish, species that have been reproduced in the Aquairum. There is an educational flavour to this too, as biodiversity and the new technologies used in the Aquarium are taught to parents and children alike. www.aquarium-larochelle.com

WE LIKE IT!

Zoodyssey, far more than an animal park (Villiers-en-Bois - Deux-Sèvres) Located in the Chizé Forest, this 25-hectare park in Poitou-Charentes’ largest forest is home to almost 600 animals from every corner of Europe. In all, more than fifty species await the visitors on their forest walk or carriage ride. Guided tours are also available, with experts in animal behaviour. In 2009, the park offers three new attractions: • A new enclosure for otters and coypus in a lagoon (ecological tank, recovery of rain-water and regenerative plants); • A new enclosure for Barbary apes; • Development of a mix of animal species to recreate an ancestral European plain Far more than an animal park, in 2008 the Zoodyssey was awarded ISO 14001 certifi-cation. It is the first animal park in France to have earned this label. Open from February to November. www.zoodyssee.org



Leisure parks

La Vallée des Singes / Monkey Valley (Romagné - Vienne) A wander through the world of monkeys, this is a lovely setting covering fifteen islands where 350 animals from 30 different species are perfectly free to move around. Having been assigned space in one of fifteen verdant and tree-covered islands, they are perfectly free to move around. Visitors get successively acquainted with a group of wily chimpanzees, a family of gorillas, tiny monkeys such as titis, tamarinds and marmosets – as well as pygmies (the smallest in the world), intriguing lemurs, tame Barbary apes, capuchins with their funny faces, and squirrel monkeys, who love to eat. Monkey Valley is a pioneer in regards the protection of species.

www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr

La Planète des Crocodiles / Crocodile Planet (Civaux - Vienne) Located in Civaux thirty kilometres southeast of Poitiers, the park is highlighted by a dome for aquatic reptiles from all continents, and is one of the largest French facilities of its kind.

Crocodile Planet allows to discover some 200 crocodilia of seven different species lodged in the confines of a 50-foot-high dome that provides the best environment for many of the animals therein – not only crocodiles but also caimans, alligators, slender-snouted crocodiles... The six different ponds represent six world regions: Australia with the largest specimen (saltwater crocodile), China and its alligator sinensis (a species nearing extinction), the Egyptian Nile with its particularly reputed crocodiles, sub-Saharan African, west Africa with its two emblematic species (the dwarf and the African slender snout), and – last but not least – Louisiana, where there are alligators and spectacled caimans. These truly fascinating animals, which have survived for many thousands of years – in fact, crocodilians were the contemporaries of dinosaurs - may be observed as visitors wander in complete safety through lush, tropical vegetation. www.planete-crocodiles.com

Géants du Ciel (Giants of the Sky) (Chauvigny - Vienne) Chauvigny is the town « of the Five castles », a fabulous monument in stone. With the backdrop of the bishops’ castle at the heart of the medieval quarter, « Giants of the Sky » lets fly an impressive array of majestic birds. The spectacle showcases the intelligence of these birds of prey. The show features free flying birds from all around the world. Falconers also explain to visitors the way of life of these birds, their prime characteristics and how some are under threat of extinction. //geantsduciel.com/ The zoological park of La Palmyre In the heart of the Côte de Beauté, not far from Royan, this is a real Jungle Book in the heart of a beautiful pine forest! There are over 1600 animals to see, from all over the world. A genuine oasis where lions, giraffes, seals, gorillas, pythons, rhinoceroses, Siberian tigers and many other species share this 35 acre park. This is the most famous zoo in France and one of the most thrilling in Europe, a place where passion for animals has been transformed into a modern-day Noah’s Ark.

www.zoo-palmyre.fr > Nature reserves and bird sanctuaries For animal lovers there are many bird sanctuaries and nature reserves all over the region.

2009 - Highlights

Fun with family 1/2



Domaine des Etangs 4* – Massignac

An invitation to dream! At the Domaine des Etangs is truly enchanting with 2,100 acres of partially wooded countryside dotted with ponds. In this corner of Charente Limousine, with a tennis court afloat on the water, old workers cottages have been fitted with luxurious materials such as copper, wood and stone. The 24 four-star rooms and suites are gorgeous! The Domaine des Etangs is the ideal place for a relaxing holi-day. Take a leisurely walk, or cruise in a small boat. As for the rooms, they reflect the union of authenticity and modern design. www.domainedesetangs.com

2009 - Highlights

Accommodation - charming and romantic

Guest house in the Château de Maumont – Magnac-sur-Touvre (3 four-star Gîtes de France rooms) The spirit of a castle

Once the residence of the La Rochefoucauld-Maumont fami-ly, Maumont castle is a genuine curiosity consisting of a buil-ding dating back to the late fifteenth century abutted by an eighteenth century house. On the courtyard side, the public entranceway with its majestic facade leads to a large stair-case. The castle proposes two guest rooms and a family suite of differing styles, all of them equipped with TV and Internet. The ‘Marguerite d'Angoulême’ bedroom is a cosy and com-fortable cocoon. The ‘La Rochefoucauld’ suite has a large canopied bed and a Japanese-style décor. A third bedroom has an open bathroom in which the old-style bathtub turns into a decorative element enthroned on a platform! On the ground floor there’s a dining room, sitting room and a music room. A collection of musical instruments, Calder mobiles and sculptures make-up the family treasure trove. On hot days, the bamboo garden is a haven of peace. An old tower has a chapel containing Orthodox paintings … from the twentieth century. All just a few kilometres from Angou-lême. www.chateaudemaumont.fr

The charming and the romantic accommodation in Charente

Charmingly romantic places for a perfect stay

L'Angélus des Fins Bois – Mérignac (Four-star « Gîtes de France ») Classy guest houses in the heart of a wine-growing village This chambre d'hote – a B&B is located in a manor that da-tes from the seventeenth century, an ideally quiet place in Cognac country between Perigord and the Atlantic coast. Offering the finest hotel service, the large bedroom com-plete with beams unites the ancient and the modern: large screen TV, safe, bathrobe, slippers and a splendid view of the swimming pool. As of early 2009, the Angelus will have a ‘Grande Champa-gne’ bedroom whose style will once again fuse the ancient and the contemporary; it will offer an open bathroom with a balneological bathtub and a sho-wer. Homemade jam adorns the breakfast table. The living/dining room is graced with a spirit at once ancient, baroque and contemporary, with Phi-lippe Starck chairs in transpa-rent plexiglass, etc. The table d'hôte (reservation required) will delight the eyes and the taste buds. Organic local products are generally used //langelusdesfinsbois.free.fr

The Château de la Couronne—Marthon A « glamorous rendezvous »

Located near Marthon, the Chateau has dreams of grandeur, and is in fact so appreciated that last summer, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie chose to stay there... along with the whole family... One may rent one of five spacious guest rooms … or the whole castle! A large parlour with a grand piano, a cocktail lounge, a film projection room and a billiards room, two bathroom offering two bath-tubs… along with contemporary art and furniture from the 1960s, are mixed with antiques. www.chateaudelacouronne.com

MasqHotel 3* - La Rochelle

Comfort, design......and a unique style The masqhotel, opened in June 2006? has 76 stylish, high tech yet comfortable rooms and suites. The interior of the masqhotel provides a surprising contrast with the sober exterior of the building and the character of the sur-rounding area. The internal space, the lighting, the colours and the materials transform one's frame of reference interely. From recep-tion to the lounge bar, from the bedrooms to the breakfast room there is a stylish and subtle atmos-phere with a distinctly contemporary feel. All the bedrooms have luxurious bed-ding. The furniture is light and subtly coloured. Made by Maxalto, Classicon, Poltrona Frau and Desalto it features the work of their best contemporary designers. Everything has been planned to be simple, chic, light and without useless ostentation. In each bedroom there is a large original painting from the stu-dio of the artists Mantra and Geredeg. Each painting is vigorous and colourful. It personalises the room, matches the decor and brings perpective to the interior volumes

www.masqhotel.com



2009 - Highlights

Accommodation - Design hotels

A selection of Design Hotels on the Atlantic Coast

WE LIKE IT! Art’s Hotel 2* – Saint-Palais-sur-Mer With its charming classical architecture and elegant design, the Art's Hotel manages to achieve, through paradoxes, a most success-ful result! At a short driving distance from Royan, on the ocean front, the Art's Hotel takes advantage of its privileged location, ideally situated as it is in the seaside resort of Saint Palais-sur-Mer. With a 'Cake Shop', a Wine Bar and a Modern Art Gallery, the Art's Hotel introduces a unique, innovative concept. > A Modern Art Gallery is on show at the Art's Hotel. The hotel offers a real permanent exhibition, completed, 3 or 4 times a year, by some major temporary exhibitions. > The Vintage, a wine bar overlooking the beach is also accessible from the garden… This is the ideal place to enjoy a glass of wine recommended by the waiter, for the apéritif or after dinner in a relaxing and original place…

www.art-s-hotel.com

Les Francs Garçons - Saint-Sauvant Nestled in the medieval village of Saint-Sauvant surrounded by a landscape of cognac vineyards and Romanesque churches, the Design Hotel des Francs Garçons offers a stylish and personalised welcome. 7 rooms. The fortified exterior of this ancient building has been left untouched … On the inside, a maze of levels, stairs and dazzling lighting effects lead to the reception room, with its Cole & Son wood blocked wallpaper providing the backdrop for a black fireplace and contrasting "supersassi" colour armchairs from the Italian designer Rossi di albizzate. A chain mail chandelier created and manufactured by Le Labo Design (Paris) lights up a large marble table whose primarily materials were outsourced from the Marmoguia quarries in Portugal. A bar designed by Hervé Audinet is also made of azul valverde from the Portuguese quarries of Marmoguia. This relaxing space is dotted with Parentesi Quadra pouffes from Italy. Five steps lead down to the cellar and to the dining room furnished with Arper chairs from Italy and tables made by local craftsmen. Huge floral bouquets sit on a pair of elegant azul valverde console tables from Marmoguia. Comfortably seated in the Parentesi Quadra sofa facing the Belgian Waco & C° fireplace, the sitting room-cum-library is the ideal place to listen to music whilst perusing books on architecture.

www.francsgarcons.com



2009 - Highlights

Accommodation - atypical

Atypical accommodation in the countryside

A yurt and donkeys! In the wide open spaces of the Poitou-Charentes country-side, all you hear are birds singing, donkeys braying, and oars lapping on the water. On the schedule: This half-board holiday in the French version of a bed &

breakfast includes a ride with a pack-saddled don-key, bicycle rental, a ca-noe trip, and a visit to an ornithological park. In the evening, a wilderness area with sanitary and shower facilities is at disposal.

From April to October www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com

WE LIKE IT! A cabin in the trees - Parc de la Belle (Magné)

An out-of-the-way place to celebrate a family holiday in the heart of the countryside, in a genuine wood cabin built high in the trees, in the midst of a park covering over 25 acres. A timeless and magical experience… to recharge the batteries … and have happy dreams. Breakfast will be handed out in the morning at the base of your cabin to be taken on the terrace.

www.tourisme-vienne.com

Nature ride in a Horse-drawn caravan

Follow a "green" itinerary with nature as a backdrop. On the itinerary: Following lessons in caravan steering techniques, your tour lasts anything between two days and a week…days at a horse's pace; you are the one who ma-kes the choice! The caravan can accommodate five people with a folding double bed and three individual berths, a kitchen cor-ner equipped with a two-burner gas range, a stainless steel sink and a cooler, dishes, sheets, pillows and blankets.

From April to October www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com

A night in this « tree house » is an opportunity to

discover the «Parc Floral de la Belle» with its 20,000+

plants, numerous essential tree oils and flower varie-

ties surrounding a nineteenth-century master's house.

www.parcdelabelle.com



2009 - Highlights

Gastronomy

Poitou-Charentes invites all those who love food and fine cuisine to its table. The region's produce is a delight for the senses. From a long list of local products that can satisfy most tastes, our chef suggests the following:

WE LIKE IT!

New – Molecular cuisine at Futuroscope theme park - From the 4th April to the 31st August Until now, molecular cuisine at Futuroscope was aimed more at the business tourism market; now, it is being extended to all our visitors between the 4th April and 31st August 2009, at the Le Cristal restaurant located in the centre of the park.

Molecular cuisine was developed by a small number of Michelin-starred chefs. It draws on science, and is the art of using the natural properties of the food in a recipe. In 2006, chef Noël Gutrin and the teams at the Le Cristal restaurant decided to add this new form of gastronomy to the range of meal options available at Futuroscope so that everybody can enjoy it. For three years, with the advice of a physical chemist, the teams at the Le Cristal restaurant have been creating sophisticated and astounding recipes that offer totally new textures and tastes, such as alginate drops, virtual caviar, granitas, froths, and others. The attitude of the artist-chefs at Le Cristal underlines Futuroscope’s pioneer spirit and its de-termination to ensure that the latest innovations can be enjoyed by everybody; even presented to them on a plate! Molecular cuisine, a blend of new culinary adventure and emotion that is expressed through our sense of sight and taste, fits in seamlessly with the range of daring experiences at Futuroscope.

Aperitif and wines

Cognac & Pineau des Charentes The vineyards within the official “Cognac” area lie in Charente and Charente-Maritime. The Pineau des Charentes is made from a subtle blend of Charente grape juice and cognac. It is served as an aperitif or an accompaniment to foie gras and desserts.

Poitou-Charentes wines Wines from Loudun area (known as “Saumur”), Haut-Poitou wines (whites, rosés and reds), wines from Thouars area (whites, reds and rosés, comparable to Anjou wines), wines from the Charente area (whites sold under the trade name “Blanc marine”, reds and rosés).

Green oysters from Marennes-Oléron

Marennes-Oléron is Europe's leading oyster-producing area. The oysters get their flavour from the small basins in which they are placed to mature, taking on the taste specific to oysters from this area and the characteristic green colour thanks to the presence of microscopic algae, the blue navicula. The quality production is indicated by red labels and there are various "vintages " ("crus") depending on the time the oysters have spent in the basins: "Fines" spend a month there; "spéciales" two months; the "pousses" four to eight months. Traditionally, they are eaten raw with small sausages flavoured with white wine in Oléron, or ac-companied by "grillons" (pork sausages) in Charente

A whole palet of goat’s cheeses Legend has it that the "chabichou du Poitou" was first made in the 7th century by Saracens who had stayed on in the area after the Battle of Poitiers ("chabi" is said to be a distortion of the Arabic word "chebli" meaning "goat"). Maturing lasts from 10 days to seve-ral months and produces a cheese that is more or less rounded in taste and increasingly full of flavour as time goes on. This particular goat's cheese is covered by an AOC. Poitou produces other chee-ses including "caillebotte", the creamy Mothe-Saint-Héray, and cylin-drical goat's cheeses.

Delightful desserts

"Broyé du Poitou". This biscuit resembles sweet shortcrust pastry decorated with sliced almonds. It is dry and very crisp but full of butter, combined with the scent of cooked sugar, almonds and, sometimes, crystallised angelica. Traditionally, the "broyé" was never cut with a knife. It was broken up by being hit with the fist. "Tourteau fromager". This rustic recipe dates back to the days when salt, rare and costly, was used very sparingly. The cheese was used fresh in cooking or in a soft cake served for desserts on special occasions. The cake is spongy but set in a crisp, fresh pas-try crust and is made with fresh goat's cheese, eggs, flour and sugar. It is eye-catching for its rounded top which is always "burnt".

Other regional specialities: Charentes Poitou Butter, covered by a “controlled appellation of origin” (Appellation d’Ori-gine Contrôlée) and made solely with cream produced from pasteu-rised milk - Salt, produced in the salt marshes in Ile de Ré.



News 2009 Futuroscope 1/2

Futuroscope, 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Poitiers, is Poitou-Charentes' leading tourist attraction. On this 53-hectare site, the Futuroscope gives an opportuni-ty to see all existing image technologies in attractions equipped with the most sophisticated devices (giant screens, 3D cinemas, cinemas-in-the-round, dyna-mic cinemas), along with interactive entertainments, fountains and a children's amusement and discovery area. The visitor facilities and restaurants reflect the scale of the park itself and a wide range of services is available for visitors. The 45-metre (146-ft) Girotour provides a breathtaking view of the park.

The European Image Park opened its doors in 1987 and, each year, it adds new experiences.

From February: 4 major new attractions

The new experiences in store for 2009 will take visitors into a new thrill-bound dimension. They are taken on a journey along the time axis, between reality and make-believe, where they can explore the past, deci-pher the present and imagine the future.

Season 2009: Bursting with even more new attractions! Thrills, Imagination, discovery. More than 30 fascinating experiences to explore another world.

EcoDingo EcoDingo uses computer-generated images synchronised to the seat movements, together with a sports commentary, to pro-pel the hardiest visitors into a futuristic race inside astonishing graphical worlds. Produced exclusively for Futuroscope by Cube Creative. The seats are operated by hydraulic pistons to move in time with the on-screen action. Running time: 5 min.

The Blue Note Mystery The vast water stage comes to life every evening to take visitors into a world of enchantment. This stunning musical fairy tale blends giant ima-ges on water screens, special effects, lasers, jets of flame and light to end the day at Futuroscope in a glorious extravaganza. Design: Yves Pépin, designer of such monumental shows as the opening cere-monies for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Every evening after dark, included in the price of your Futuroscope entry ticket. Duration: 30 min.

Cosmic Collisions Scientific images of outstanding quality taken by NASA satellites were modelled to simulate cosmic phenomena in 3D. The witty narration is provided by French actor Lorànt Deutsch, who adds a cheerful tone to an experience that everyone can enjoy. Film made by the American Museum of Natural History and shown on a hemispherical screen measu-ring 69 ft in diameter. Running time: 23 min.

Fly me to the Moon Fly Me to the Moon by Belgian director Ben Stassen is the first European feature-length animated movie made entirely in digital 3D. It takes a witty new look at the famous Apollo 11 flight that took man to the moon. Children especially enjoy this fun film. IMAX animated 3D film shown on a 6,240 ft² flat screen. Running time: 35 min.



The Future is Wild: new version, more immersion Starts 4th April 2009 In 2008, Futuroscope created a new form of entertainment, delivering an im-mersive and interactive experience that takes image technology into the future. Augmented reality technology has advanced in such leaps and bounds within a year that a new version of children’s favourite The Future is Wild is already upon us. 2009 sees Futuroscope pushing the technological boundary further than ever be-fore, taking visitors into a more immersive safari experience among animals of the future who are now joined by a selection of new creatures. Our explorers climb aboard the expedition vehicles for a journey through the realistic scenery that portrays a series of possible future environments forged and moulded by climate change and movements of the Earth’s crust. As they travel the four zones – across the dry, cold desert, into the swamp cave, along the bed of the vast Global Ocean and the floor of the tropical rainforest – kitted out with augmented-reality binoculars and sensor bracelets, our visitors watch as animals that could be inhabiting the planet in 5 million, 100 mil-lion or 200 million years from now burst into view in 3D, and then spring into action when they reach out to touch and interact with them. Reality and virtual reality combine to blur the boundaries that separate them.

Running time: approx. 15 min.

News 2009 Futuroscope 2/2

www.futuroscope.com

Futuroscope was awarded the Jury Grand Prix at the Laval Virtual 2008 show (which focuses entirely on virtual reality) in honour of this attraction’s innovative character.

WE LIKE IT!

Building the future, the eco-aware house This 2,150 ft² wooden house is a life-sized key to discovering solutions for sustainable building and sustainable living. As we explore the three modules that make up the “house of tomorrow” (a living room/kitchen area, a bedroom/bathroom /dressing room area and a showroom area complete with bookshop), we have a chance to understand that technology, architecture, design and quality of life are compatible with environmental protection and energy efficiency. Open-access visit. Guided visits available for school groups only, subject to booking.



Angoulême, the city Located on the banks of the Charente River, Angoulême has long been associated with paper. Becoming the “capital of paper” in the Middle Ages, nowadays it is renowned as the capital of the image and, more particularly, of the comic strip, with its annual festival and brand new Cartoon Museum opening this June. In Angoulême city centre, it is also fun to follow the cartoon trail throughout the town, as there are works of comic strip art on every street corner with over twenty painted walls to admire! Famous French cartoonists such as Yslaire, Zep and Moebius are featured. They place the comic strip and the image in the heart of the city. Painted wall in Angoulême

News 2009

A new museum of the comic strip

A new Museum in Angoulême As of June 2009, storehouses on the shores of the Charente will be hosting Angoulême’s new museum of the comic strip. From Asterix to Garfield, from Tintin to the Japanese Anime cartoons, there is something for everyone.

> Entrance fees are €4 for adults to the main museum and €3 for the additional temporary exhibitions. > Combined entrance is €6 per adult.

www.cnbdi.fr The Museum This is more than just a celebration of the cartoon, it is contains a library, bookstore, café and puts on temporary exhibitions and workshops. The museum’s permanent collection will cover 1,300 sq m of space organised into four areas: - The history of the comic strip, from 1833 through today, be it French-speaking (from Töpfer to Astérix, not to men-tion Bécassine, Zig and Puce, Tintin, Corto Maltese…), American (from Mutt & Jeff to Peanuts, the super-heroes and the un-derground comic book anti-heroes) or Japanese. - The design workshop showing the different techniques for cartoon production with master-classes from visiting cartoonists; the presentation will also include interviews of designers and authors. - An exhibit of the masters will present the esthetics of the comic strip. The visitor will discover the original plates and come to appreciate not only their esthetic worth and graphic virtues, but also their narrative particularities: how the techni-cal elements reveal the narrative stance(s) of the author(s), how the esthetics epitomize a style, an epoch, a universe… And by means of an interactive terminal, the visitor will acquaint himself with the peculiarities (codes, cogs and gears…) of « comic strip » language. - A regular series of temporary exhibitions. A gallery will feature and theme-based exhibits having to do with current events. In this room, the visitor will be apprised of connections between the comic strip and other forms of contemporary artistic expression. The exhibits will be renewed every four months. The museum will also house the Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image (CIBDI), which was created in January 2008. All year long, this worldwide reference point will be hosting authors, researchers and other comic strip adepts; it will be permanently devoted to creation, conservation and transmission of the image-centered heritage. It is located at three different sites: the Maison des Auteurs on the town ramparts, the Centre National de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image (CNBDI) on the shores of the Charente, and the Musée de la bande dessinée, which will be opening in 2009. The CIBDI also houses a bookshop, a library, and a Café de l’image...



Festivals & Events 2009

A land of festivals and celebrations, throughout the year Poitou-Charentes offers a sizable number of regional and in-ternational events;

Festivals and events 2009 Selection January - February - March • 29 January - 01 February: The international comic strip festival in Angoulême (Charente) www.bdangouleme.com • 7-8 February: A mimosa festival in St Trojan (Oléron island - Charente-Maritime) – Fiftiethth anniversary • 30 March - 4 April: A week of cheeses in Deux-Sèvres – Third edition – discovery and tasting sessions www.chabichou.tm.fr April - May - June • April: Hip Hop and Co festival in Poitiers (Vienne) • May: Mixed-blood music in Angoulême (Charente) - www.musiques-metisses.com • May: Festival of songs and music « D’ici et d’ailleurs » (here and there) in Vivonne (Vienne) • May: Jazzellerault in Châtellerault (Vienne) - www.festival-jazzellerault.com • May: The Melle festival – classical music (Deux-Sèvres) • 16-24 May: An estuary festival in the Rochefort environs (Charente-Maritime) • Mid-June – mid-September: The Polychromes of Notre Dame in Poitiers (Vienne) – Illuminations on the facade of the church of Notre Dame. • 23-26 June: Sunny Side of the doc in La Rochelle (twenty years of existence) – the ins and outs of the documentary (Charente-Maritime) - www.sunnysideofthedoc.com • 26 June - 6 July: The international film festival of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) www.festival-larochelle.org July - August - September • 4-14 July: Game festival in Parthenay (Deux-Sèvres) • July: World music and dance in Airvault (Deux-Sèvres) • July: The Francofolies of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) – The twenty-fifth edition - www.francofolies.fr • 10-19 July: The classical music festival of Saintes (Charente-Maritime) - www.abbayeauxdames.org • 20, 22 and 24 July: A violin on the sand in Royan – classical music (Charente-Maritime) www.violonsurlesable.com • 21-26 July: Blues passions in Cognac (Charente) - www.bluespassions.com • 25 July: Water-borne market in Le Vanneau (Deux-Sèvres) • 27 July – 1st August: Word of mouth in Parthenay (Deux-Sèvres) • 30 July – 2 August: European hot air balloon cup in Mainfonds (Charente) • 1st and 2 August: Painters in the streets of Charroux (Vienne) • August: French-language film festival in Angoulême – 2nd edition (Charente) www.filmfrancophone.fr • 18-20 September : Mr. Haydn’s holidays in La Roche Posay (Vienne) – A chamber music festival • September: A theatrical warm-up in Cognac (Charente) - www.avantscene.com • September: The Grand Pavois (international boat show) in La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) - www.grand-pavois.com • 18, 19 and 20 September: The rampart circuit of Angoulême (Charente) – In its seventieth year – vintage and collec-tors’ cars parade through the streets of Angoulême www.circuit-des-remparts.com October - November - December • October: Jazz between the two towers of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) - www.larochelle-jazz-festival.com • October: Vive Voix (live vocal) festival of Vivonne (Vienne) • October - November : Valois piano in Angoulême (Charente) - www.piano-en-valois.fr • November: The gastronomades of Angoulême (Charente) - www.gastronomades.fr • November: European literatures in Cognac (Charente) - www.litteratures-europeennes.com • December: Henri Langlois international film festival (RIHL) in Poitiers (Vienne) - www.rihl.org



Useful Information / Links

Accommodation Hotels & Campsites The region has more than 700 hotels and 550 campsites. Descriptions and contact details can be found on our website. Brochures can be ordered. www.visit-poitou-charentes.com Hotels Esprit de Poitou-Charentes Association of very charming and comfortable hotels in Poitou-Charentes. Authenticity and conviviality! www.hotels-esprit-de-poitou-charentes.com

B&B / Gîtes de France & Chambres d’hotes For people who want to sleep in a private house and discover French lifestyle www.vacances-en-poitou-charentes.com www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/rural_gites Self catering / Clés Vacances Different types of rental in the region www.clevacances.com Bienvenue à la ferme

“Bienvenue à la Ferme" (welcome to the farm) in Poitou-Charentes, has 230 farm owners ready to welcome you to their farm, guide you and, above all, if you wish, will give you first hand experience of life in the world of rural farming. www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com

Tourist information

Poitou-Charentes Tourist Board www.visit-poitou-charentes.com

Charente Tourist Board

www.lacharente.com

Charente-Maritime Tourist Board www.france-atlantic.co.uk

Deux-Sèvres Tourist Board www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com

Vienne Tourist Board www.tourisme-vienne.com



Press contact

For any information, photos, etc:

Magellan PR Gillian Green

Tel: +44 (0)20 8875 2850 / Email: [email protected] Magellan PR – 48-52 Fairfield Street London SW18 1DY - England

Poitou-Charentes Tourist Board Sandrine Pailloncy

Tel: +33 (0) 5 49 50 26 55 / Email: [email protected] Comité Régional du Tourisme Poitou-Charentes - 8 rue Riffault - 86000 Poitiers - France

Credits: © CRTPC, Aquarium de La Rochelle, Futuroscope, Michel Garnier, Pascal Baudry, Jacques Villegier, Patrick Bonneau, Sébastien Laval, Thomas Hytte, Jean-Michel NOSSANT, Patrick BERTRAND, Gérald BUTHAUD, Jean-Michel NOSSANT