South West of France region information: The Charente is situated in the south west of France and benefits from a micro climate. The enduring image of Poitou-Charentes is a field of sunflowers set against terracotta roofs beneath a vast turquoise sky – perhaps it’s not surprising that artists love this region for the quality of the light. Now, with the advent of budget flights to local airports, the area is served by airports at Poitiers and La Rochelle to the North, Limoges further inland and with the choice either of Bergerac or Bordeaux on it’s Southern borders. The region has much to offer: reasonably priced properties (perhaps you will fall in love with a typical Charentaise house with its creamy limestone frontage, pale green shutters and roman tiled roof), grand unspoiled cities (e.g. Poitiers, Angoulème) the amazing Marais Poitevin inland waterways and, last but not least, the highest sunshine hours after the Mediterranean. The cuisine is a mix of traditional French country food with fine Atlantic sea-food of famous oysters and mussels – preferably washed down with a glass of the local Pineau or Cognac. Spring comes early to this region and autumn stays later than in the North but the seasons remain clearly defined. For a milder climate head for the Charente-Maritime but expect the landscape to be flatter. Head inland for rolling hills and peaceful unspoilt valleys but expect to see the temperatures drop a few degrees in winter. The world's most famous brandy comes from the peaceful countryside 100 miles north of Bordeaux. In the town of Cognac, along the narrow streets and quays of the Charente River, brandy is aged in chais, or huge warehouses. Tours and tastings are available there, as well as, in Jarnac and Rouillac. Outside towns, local producers also sell directly to the public “vente directe”. Each Cognac house has a unique process to mix its eaux-de-vie. "Trois Etoiles" means that the eaux-de-vie used have aged at least 30 months in oak barrels, VO and VSOP have aged four and one-half years, while Extra, XO, Napoléon, and Grande Réserve can be as old as 50 years or more. Cognac is divided into six areas: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires-that reflect decreasing finesse. When at least 50 percent Grande Champagne is blended with Petite Champagne, the result is sold with the special appellation Fine Champagne. Directions : By car from Paris to: Cognac, 463 km, 3 hours, via A 10 to N 141 By TGV train from Paris Gare Montparnasse to: Cognac, 2 hours and 50 minutes & only 2 hours to Paris from Angoulème or via Lille for Eurostar connections By plane to: La Rochelle, Poîtiers, Limoges, Bergerac & Angoulême Wedged between the Bordeaux region and the Pyrénées Mountains, the South-West of France is exceptionally sunny during the summer. > Top <