Poitou Charentes (which includes the département of Charente Maritime) is known as the sunniest region on the Atlantic coast. There are big, big beaches, beautiful countryside (although most holidaymakers don’t venture inland), great towns to visit (La Rochelle, Royan, Cognac), some interesting theme parcs, including Futuroscope and Puy du Fou (okay, I’m stretching the region’s boundaries with the second of these, but it’s worth a mention), and of course there are three great siblu parcs - Les Charmettes, La Pignade and Bonne Anse Plage.

If you want to find out even more about this part of the world, then take a look at this great blog on Poitou Charentes, with opinions on everything from favourite restaurants (not including the really expensive Michelin-starred ones) to the 10 best beaches. By the way, the winner of best beach is the stretch of coast closest to our three holiday parcs!

Dropped in at our Les Charmettes holiday parc recently to catch up with Steve Smith, the parc director, and check that all is well. Steve apologised that he had received a letter just the day before and had opened it by mistake before realising it was for me. I was just a little surprised when I pulled out an official invitation to a meeting with President Sarkozy, near La Rochelle, the following day.

Quick change of arrangements for the week, formal shirt borrowed from Philippe Burgaud, our holiday parc director at La Pignade and with extra attention to my morning toilette there I was just a few yards from the human dynamo.

Amazing what can happen when you least expect it.

Recently we posted about the best Driving Songs, which leads us nicely to Violin Sur Le Sables – a classical music event that take places on the beach in Royan, near to our holiday parc Les Charmettes.

Even if you’re not into classical music, the sheer extravagance of this spectacle is well worth seeing - plus it’s free! 

I went with friends a couple of years ago and here’s the advice.  (more…)