Poitou-Charentes
The region of Poitou-Charentes is full of Roman monuments, a miraculous attraction for visitors. This calm and almost unspoilt region is halfway down the west coast. It has a long Atlantic coastline with fine sand beaches, bustling resorts and pretty marinas. Along them there are a lot of magnificent islands, such as the 19-mile-long Ile d'Oléron, popular for its natural sights and oyster catching tradition. Another one, Ile de Ré, is famous for its salt marshes and known for receiving more hours of sunshine than any other place in France except the Mediterranean. It's easily accessible now, because there's a bridge which links the island with the mainland. Royan, in the southern part of the region, is a busy tourist resort, having five well-kept beaches. There are also a lot of parks and gardens, as well as vineyards in Poitou-Charentes.