Things to do and see in the Nouvelle Aquitaine
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the largest administrative region in France, spanning the west and southwest . The region was created by the merger of Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes. It roughly corresponds to the old duchy ruled by Eleanor of Aquitaine and it covers about 1⁄8 the area of mainland France.
Through its landscape of low hills flows the River Charente, which passes through the cities of Angoulême, Cognac and Jarnac. This superb wine-growing region is world-famous for its Cognac and Pineau des Charentes.
The climate is essentially temperate, which rather reflects its famous easy-going lifestyle. Sunshine levels are high at around 2,000 to 2,200 hours per year, which is similar to some Mediterranean regions.
The Poitevin Marshes Regional Nature Reserve - aka Green Venice - is part of the Grand Sites de France network.