Category: Touring France

Villefagnan France Geography and Transport

Villefagnan is a small village (Commune area 23.65km²) situated 10km west of Ruffec in the northern Charente Department (Alt 88m to 158m).  Ruffec provides access to effective road and rail options, with the RN10 Motorway (Angouleme-Poitiers) by-passing the town, and the TGV providing high-speed access to Paris, Lille/Brussels, and Bordeaux.  It is possible to reach Paris from Ruffec in 2h20m using the TGV.

The Weather In Villefagnan France

The climate here is temperate, with typically cool winters and warm (sometimes hot summers).  Villefagnan receives around 1900 hours of sunshine per year.  The warmest months are June, July, and August with 24C to 27C (13C/15C low), but May, September and October temperatures also range between 18C and 23C.

Winter temperatures are typically 9C to 10C (day) and 3C to 4C (night).  Wettest months are Oct, Nov, and Dec (over 94mm), whilst the driest are Mar, Jun, and Aug (between 39.5mm and 52.7mm).  Villefagnan is part of a zone which receives over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism In Villefagnan France

A typical Charentais village, Villefagnan has a medieval church, limestone buildings, and is surrounded by countryside.   The Trois Fontaines Lake nearby has a beach and offers bathing, boating, a children’s play area, and fishing.  Other sites to see include the Conservatory of Rural Art and the site of the Pierres Blanches Windmill, re-creating the activities of a 19th-century mill.

Villefagnan France Facilities

The village has a tennis court, football and rugby facilities, and a riding school.  Canoeing is available at nearby at the free Rejallant Leisure Base in Condac (12km), where there is also a small beach, play area, barbecue facilities and a restaurant overlooking the water.

Villefagnan France Economy

The economy here is centered around agriculture. The village is part of the Haute Charente economic zone, which has an unemployment rate of 7%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).

Education In Villefagnan France

There is a choice of one state and one private Nursery/Primary school, and there is one High School.  For Colleges (Lycee) nearby Ruffec (10km) provides options.

Villefagnan France – Key Stats

Most of the properties in Villefagnan are main residences 85.6%, this is higher than the national average and 6.8% of properties are classed as second homes.  There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (31.5% vs 21.3%), and the number of retired people is also higher (27% vs 18.2%).  21% of the population is under 19 years of age.  There are fewer males than females resident here (46.7%).

Key Facilities and Services In Villefagnan France

Saint Georges France Geography and Transport

St Georges de Didonne is a seaside town situated just 5km from the major tourist destination of Royan, situated at the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, on the Atlantic Coast of Charente Maritime.  The commune covers an area of 10.58km².  The RN150 enables access north to Saintes (37km/40mins) and the A10 motorway, and the D730 takes traffic south and east towards Mirambeau.  La Rochelle is the nearest airport offering flights to the UK through a number of budget airlines.  Royan is linked to the TER regional rail network.

Saint Georges France Weather

The location on the Atlantic coast means that the climate is temperate all year round, with warm (but not excessively hot) summers, and cool (but not extremely cold) winters.  Spring and early Autumn can be warm.  In summer, daytime temperatures average 24C to 27C (13C to 15C night), and in winter this drops to 9C to 11C (3C to 4C).  Wettest months are October and November (57mm to 59mm), and the driest are March, July, and August (32mm).  St Georges de Didonne is within an area that receives over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism In Saint Georges France

Originally a small fishing village, the town only really opened up to tourism in 1920 but was affected by the allied bombings at Royan at the end of WWII.  St Georges de Didonne has a 2km beach, at the end of which is sited the Parc de l’Estuaire, offering an interactive museum, forest walks, and educational tours.  The town has its own 36m tall lighthouse which overlooks the small port.

The lighthouse is open from June to Sept and offers excellent views of the Charentaise coastline.  The Eglise de St Georges was originally constructed in the 12^th century, but most of the structure that exists now dates back to the 19^th century.

There are ruins of the 16th-century fortifications at the Pointe de Vallieres, which separates the Conche at Royan from St Georges.  The proximity of St Georges de Didonne to Royan provides many tourist and leisure activities, and at St Georges, there is windsurfing, catamarans and dinghy sailing.

Saint Georges France

Every year in August the town hosts ‘Festival Humour et Eau Salee’ (Festival of Humour and Salty Water), with comedy shows, street shows at various venues around the center of the town.  The illustrious ‘Prix Isnogoud’ is awarded to a media personality for the most beautiful flop of the year.  In June there is ‘Musiques et Gastronomie du Monde’, a music and culture festival with films, shows, music, and cuisine.  There are campsites and holiday parks located in and around the Forest de Suzay nearby.

Saint Georges France Economy

The local economy is driven by tourism, with the local population increasing ten-fold during the summer season.  Saint Georges de Didonne is part of the Saintonge Maritime economic zone which has an unemployment rate of 11.4%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).

Facilities In Saint Georges France

St Georges de Didonne has most facilities you would expect in a town of this size, including supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes.  The closest public swimming pool is in Royan (5km)

Education In Saint Georges France

There is a state nursery, and 2 primary schools in the town, but for secondary schools and colleges, Royan is 5km away.

Saint Georges France Key Stats

An astonishing 68.3% of properties here are classed as second homes.  There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (42.8% vs 21.3%), and the number of retired people is also higher (37.3% vs 18.2%).  15.5% of the local population is under 19 years of age.  There are fewer males than females resident here (46.2% vs 53.8%).

Key Facilities and Services In Saint Georges France

Ruffec in France Charente, Weather, And All Tourist Information

Ruffec in France Charente Geography and Transport

A town covering 13.37km², situated in the North of the Charente Department, Ruffec is the Capital of the North Charente territory.  It is bypassed by the major RN10 Motorway carrying traffic between the Regional Capital Poitiers and Angouleme and is also served by the high-speed train [TGV] on the route between Lille/Brussels and Bordeaux.  It is possible to reach Paris from here in 2h20m using the TGV.  The Charente River passes Ruffec to the East, and the town sits at an altitude of 120m.

Ruffec in France Charente Weather

The weather here is Maritime, with typically cool Winters and warm (sometimes hot Summers).  Ruffec receives around 1900 hours of sunshine per year.  The warmest months are June, July, and August (24C to 27C), but May, September and October temperatures also range between 18C and 23C.  Nighttime temperatures in Summer range from 13C to 15C.  Winter temperatures are typically 9C to 10C (day) and 3C to 4C (night).  Wettest months are Oct, Nov, and Dec (over 94mm), whilst the driest are Mar, Jun, and Aug (between 39.5mm and 52.7mm).

Tourism In Ruffec in France Charente

Activities around Ruffec focus on the outdoors, and the close proximity of the Charente River brings the opportunity for angling, kayaking and picturesque walks and cycling.  The pretty village of Verteuil-sur-Charente is nearby, and a little further is the leisure lake and beach at Villefagnan.

Ruffec in France Charente Economy

Ruffec is a historic market town and the economy is centered around agriculture, in particular, corn, grain, and timber production.  There are over 100 shops in Ruffec, and the town is the seventh most popular place for shopping in the Region (according to INSEE).  There are three industrial estates around Ruffec, and the Municipal Council offers businesses to support and incentives to be located in the town.  Two shopping malls are in development.

Education In Ruffec in France Charente

Ruffec has 1 State Nursery, 1 State Primary School, 1 State High School (College) and 1 State College (Lycee).  In addition, there is 1 private Nursery/Primary School, 1 private High School, and 1 private College.

Ruffec in France Charente Key stats

There are more females than males in Ruffec (54.3% vs 45.7%) and this is a bigger difference than for France overall (51.4% vs 48.6%).  The percentage of people below the age of 19 is lower than the national average (19.3% vs 24.6%).  There are more retired people resident here than the national average (28.8% vs 21.3%), and this is reflected in the age profile of the population, with 34.7% being aged 60 or over (against a national average of 21.3%).  85.8% of properties here are classed as main homes, with 5% of homes are classed as secondary residences.  This supports the fact that the town is popular with British buyers and Parisiens looking for a second home.

Key Facilities and Services In Ruffec in France Charente

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Royan France Tourist Information – Geography and Transport

Situated at the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, Royan is a large seaside resort town on the Atlantic Coast of Charente Maritime.  The commune covers an area of 19.3km².  The RN150 enables access north to Saintes (37km/40mins) and the A10 motorway, and the D730 takes traffic south and east towards Mirambeau.  Royan does have an airfield (Medis), but the nearest commercial airport is at Rochefort, which serves French locations.  La Rochelle is the nearest airport offering flights to the UK.  Royan is linked to the TER regional rail network.

Royan France Tourist Information – The Weather

The location of Royan on the Atlantic coast means that the climate is temperate all year round, with warm (but not excessively hot) summers, and cool (but not extremely cold) winters.  Spring and early Autumn can be warm.  In summer, daytime temperatures average 24C to 27C (13C to 15C night), and in winter this drops to 9C to 11C (3C to 4C).  Wettest months are October and November (57mm to 59mm), and the driest are March, July, and August (32mm).  Royan is within an area that receives over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Royan France Tourist Information

Royan was originally a modest fishing village but grew during the 19^th century to become a fashionable seaside resort, popular with wealthy people from Paris and Bordeaux, who came to enjoy the sea bathing on the pine backed beaches.

The town still retains some of its Belle Epoche architecture along the seafront.  A German garrison was stationed in Royan during WWII, and the town was all but flattened by allied bombs in an effort to re-take it in January 1945, with many local casualties.  The town was re-built during the 1950s and 60s, with Claude Ferret an architect from Bordeaux responsible for drawing up the new town plan.

Royan has 5 sandy beaches, the largest being the Grand Conche at 2km long.  There are also beaches nearby at Saint Palais Sur Mer and St Georges de Didonne, and the Cote Sauvage offers 20km of unspoiled coastline and protected sand dunes.

This area is popular for walking and cycling within La Coubre Forest.  There are 2 harbors in Royan, one used for fishing vessels, and the other is the third largest commercial port on the French Atlantic coast.  It is possible to take boat trips to see the 400-year-old Cordouan Lighthouse in the middle of the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, and to land at the Pointe de Grave on the southern side.

Close to Royan is the La Palmyre Zoo, where you can see around 1600 animals across a 15ha site, in spacious and well-kept enclosures.  Also nearby are the villages of La Tremblade, Marennes, and Bourcefranc, which are famous for their oyster farms.

The 18th-century oyster farming town of Mornac Sur Seudre is not far away (12km), and this is said to be one of the most beautiful villages in France.  Jardins du Monde(Gardens of the World) is a popular attraction in Royan, it is a 7.5ha floral park including giant bamboo, orchids and an English garden complete with a red telephone box.

In June Royan hosts Le Reve d’Icare (a fair and exposition of Helicopters, lasting for a week), and the Fete de la Musique, a music festival covering many genres and at a variety of venues around the town.

For 3 nights in July, the beach at Royan is transformed into a giant concert venue, where a collection of great classical musicians (85 in the orchestra) perform at ‘Un Violon Sur le Sable’ (a violin on the sand).  Each night attracts up to 40,000 people, to see orchestral and solo performances ending in a spectacular fireworks display.

Royan France Economy

Largest companies operating in Royan are STE Distribution Royannaise (goods distribution) and the water utility Eaux de Royan.  However, the economy in Royan is largely geared towards tourism and commerce.  Royan is part of the Saintonge Maritime economic zone which has an unemployment rate of 11.4%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).

Facilities In Royan France – Tourist Information

As you would expect from a town of this size most amenities are available including supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and a cinema.

Education In Royan France 

There are 5 state nursery schools, 5 state primary schools, and 2 state secondary schools.  There are private options available at both primary and secondary level.  The town has 3 colleges (Lycee).

Royan France Key Stats

Whilst the majority of the properties in Royan are main residences 51.6%, a large proportion (41.8%) are classed as second homes.  There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (43.2% vs 21.3%), and the number of retired people is also higher (37.1% vs 18.2%).  15.5% of the local population is under 19 years of age.  There are fewer males than females resident here (44.5% vs 55.5%).

Key Facilities and Services In Royan France

Poitiers Region in France Geography and Transport

Poitiers is both the administrative capital of the Poitou Charentes Region and the Vienne department, covering a communal area of 42km² and at an altitude of 65m to 144m.  As you’d expect, Poitiers has all of the transport links you would expect for a town this size.  The A10 motorway passes the town, linking it with Saintes in the south (140km) and with Tours in the north (102km).

Other major routes are the N147 (Limoges -128km), the N149 (Parthenay – 52km), and the RN10 to Angouleme(115km).  The town has a large railway station (Poitiers Gare), which has TGV, TER, and other SNCF services.  Poitiers is a stop on two TGV lines, La Rochelle to Paris Montparnasse (1h40mins), and Bordeaux to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (2h20mins).

To the west of the town is Poitiers Biard airport, offering services to the UK (reduced in winter), as well as holiday charter flights during the summer.  The River Clain passes through the town, and the River Boivre also passes close-by.
See also:  St Benoit, Jaunay Clan

Poitiers Region in France Weather Conditions

The climate in Poitiers is driven by the Atlantic Ocean.  Average summer temperatures are between 23C and 26C (11C to 13C low), and in winter this drops to 8C to 9C (2C to 3C low).

The wettest month is normally October with 54mm, and the driest is March with 26mm.  Poitiers is part of a zone that receives over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism In Poitiers Region in France

Poitiers is a historic town that has many impressive buildings and monuments.  The most important is the Eglise St Hilaire le Grand, a 12th-century church, a stopping-off point for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela, the site is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  The Notre Dame de la Grande is also a 12th-century church, situated opposite the tourism office in the center of town, with its detailed Romanesque facade.

Each night during summer the Polychromies lights up the facade of the church with accompanying music after sunset.  The Baptistere St Jeanis claimed to be the oldest Christian building in France (circa 360AD), and nearby to this is the Gothic Cathedrale St Pierre.

Le Musee Saint Croix exhibits archaeological artifacts, and the Musee Rupert de Chievres hosts a collection of ornaments and furniture from the 17^th to 19^th century and a collection of 16^th and 17th-century paintings.

The town has set out three separate tours to help visitors see the key sites, these are marked out be colored lines painted on the streets.  Each route takes around 1h30mins, the blue, yellow and red tours take you on an often hilly but interesting tour of the town.  There are numerous parks and gardens in and around Poitiers, such as the Jardin aux Insectes, Jardin des Sens, and the Parc Floral de la Roseraie, with 465 varieties of roses.

The Parc de Blossac is a 9ha 18th-century park, with landscaped gardens, grotto, a small zoo, and rock garden.  There are botanical and rose gardens, and play areas for the children.  At Biard, the Grottes de la Noree is the only natural caves open to the public in the Vienne department, with 150m of chambers to explore.  The site is an important refuge for bats.  The town has a huge program of social and cultural events throughout the year.

Nearby at Jaunay Clan, is the hi-tech Parc Futuroscope, the regions flagship attraction exploring the possibilities of multi-media and the moving image.

Poitiers Region in France Facilities

Poitiers is a young and vibrant university town and has a huge range of restaurants, cafes, and bars, with excellent shopping facilities both in the town center and the surrounding areas, where there are a number of malls and industrial parks.

There are many sporting facilities here, with the Rugby, Handball and Volleyball teams playing at a high level.  There are good facilities for tennis, and the Centre Aquatique de la Pepiniere has a number of pools, spas, waterfalls, and a 76m water slide.  The population of greater Poitiers is around 120,000, and there are further facilities all around the town itself.  There is an ice rink, ten pin bowling, and a golf course along at Mignaloux Beauvoir.  Along at St Cyr is a large leisure lake with water sports.

Poitiers has a huge University Hospital (CHU) and has recently invested in a new Biopole, new facilities and support networks aimed at supporting biotechnology research, and helping bio-entrepreneurs in developing companies in cutting edge areas of science.

Poitiers Region in France Economy

Poitiers is part of the economic zone with the same name which has an unemployment rate of 7.9%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).

Whilst the University Hospital and the regional and departmental administration are easily the biggest employers in the town, biggest companies include Rocade Distribution (Leclerc) with 455 employees, Sorgieres (electric and gas) with 331 employees, SCAP (Chrysler and Peugeot) with 296 employees, and SEFI (industrial supplier) with 241 employees.

Education In Poitiers Region in France And The University of Poitiers France

Poitiers has 22 state nursery school (plus 6 private), 19 primary schools (plus 7 private), 8 secondary schools (College) (plus 3 private), and 10 colleges (Lycee) (plus 4 private).

The town also hosts the University of Poitiers France, established in 1431, and at the heart of higher education in Poitou Charentes.

Poitiers Region in France Key Stats

88.5% of properties here are classed as primary residences, with 2.1% classed as second homes.  There are more females as males resident here (54.7% vs 45.3%). There are fewer people aged 60 or over than the national average (17.6% vs 21.3%), and there are also fewer retired people here (14.9% vs 18.2%).  19.7% of the population is below the age of 19.

Key Facilities and Services In Poitiers Region in France

Nanteuil en Vallee Geography  and Transport

Nanteuil en Vallee is a small town (commune area of 68.85km²) situated in the north of the Charente department, 11km east of Ruffec (altitude 82m to 218m).  The town is on the D740 that links it with both Champagne Mouton (East) and Ruffec (West), the latter of which provides access to the RN10, providing a link with both Angouleme and Poitiers.  There is no rail link here, but the connection at Ruffec provides access to both the TER regional railway, and the TGV (with access to Paris in around 2h30mins).  The nearest airport is at Angouleme (49km).

Weather in Nanteuil en Vallee France

The weather averages show that Nanteuil en Vallee receives summer temperatures average 24C to 27C (13C to 15C night), and winter temperatures are between 9C to 11C (3C to 4C night).  Driest months are March, July, and August (32mm), while the wettest months are October and November (57 to 59mm).  Spring and autumn temperatures here can be warm (19C to 23C).  Nanteuil en Valle is part of a zone which receives between 1750 and 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism In Nanteuil en Vallee – France

Nanteuil en Vallee is famous for its Abbey (Notre Dame de Nanteuil) which was founded in around 780AD.  Other registered historic sites include the Parish Church of Saint Jean Baptiste, and the nearby manor house of d’Aizecq.  The town has a beautiful garden called l’Arboretum, on the bank of the River Argent-Or, complete with water features.  There are other activities along at Ruffec such as angling, kayaking and picturesque walks and cycling.  The pretty village of Verteuil-sur-Charente is nearby, and a little further is the leisure lake and beach at Villefagnan.

Nanteuil en Vallee – France Economy

Nanteuil en Vallee is part of the Haute Charente economic zone, which has an unemployment rate of 7%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).

Facilities In Nanteuil en Vallee – France

Nanteuil en Vallee has some amenities, however for other facilities including supermarkets and a swimming pool you will need to travel to Ruffec.

Education In Nanteuil en Vallee – France

There is a primary school here, and further away at Champagne Mouton are state school options at nursery, primary and secondary school levels.  The nearest college (Lycee) is at Ruffec (11km).

Nanteuil en Vallee – France Key Stats

There are more females than males in Ruffec (50.3% vs 49.7%) and the percentage of people below the age of 19 is below the national average (20% vs 24.6%).  There are more retired people resident here than the national average (31.9% vs 21.3%), and this is reflected in the age profile of the population, with 38.4% being aged 60 or over (against a national average of 21.3%).  66.6% of properties here are classed as main homes, with a huge 22.4% of homes classed as secondary residences.

Key Facilities and Services In Nanteuil en Vallee – France

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