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Motorhoming in Vienne
Motorhoming in Vienne
Vienne, situated in the north east of the region of Poitou-Charente is a department which has known how to exploit its geographical situation to its best advantage. Situated on the route Paris-Bordeaux-Spain, it has affirmed its dynamism with its capital Poitiers and has a certain economic vitality. This rural department which has access to neither the sea nor the mountains welcomes nevertheless millions of tourists every year and as a rural department comes second only to the Dordogne in terms of tourism. This popularity with tourists can be attributed to its diverse attractions such as Futuroscope and its historical heritage such as Poitiers, Saint-Savin and Angles sur Anglin.
Futuroscope, situated to the north east of Poitiers, consists of nearly 150 acres of sights and attractions dedicated to new technology and the use of image. Difficult to put into words, the park contains some very spectacular attractions and with 1.7 million visitors in 2009, comes second only to Disneyland Paris and is a real experience.
Poitiers itself possesses 78 listed monuments and is known as the city of bell towers. If you follow the ‘Chemin de Notre Dame’, this signed route will lead you through the city to discover all of its most impressive sights of which there are really very many including some classed by UNESCO.
The town of Saint-Savin also has a monument classed by UNESCO. Its Abby, built in the 11th century is called the Sixtine Chapel of the French Middle Ages because of the Roman frescs, the vastest in France, which decorate it. It is thought that the paintings were done little by little as the construction of the Abby advanced and originally covered the entirety of the interior.
Listed amongst the most beautiful villages of France is Angles sur Anglin in the north east of the department. Founded during the crusades the medieval fortress, ruined by attacks was eventually abandoned in the 18th century and became a quarry. Classed as a historical monument in 1926, a visit to the site will give you an idea why it was so coveted and also a superb view over the village that developed on the hillside below down to the river Anglin. Wandering through the streets you will discover a restored, working windmill and also the lace making and embroidery workshop, the ‘Jours d’ Angles’ which supplied the big Parisian boutiques with its handmade treasures in the 19th century.
If you’re hiring a motorhome in England or hiring a motorhome in France you can use the free Aires de Service in Vienne in order to make the most of this rich department before continuing your travels and doing some motorhoming in Charente or motorhoming in Deux-Sèvres or why not cross the regional border and go motorhoming in Centre, motorhoming in the Limousin or motorhoming in the Pays de la Loire.
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