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!