Hi all, the wife and I will be in France this September visiting Paris and also spending a few days near Bordeaux. Our plan currently is to drive from Paris, and we'd like to spend a 2-3 days somewhere in between, so far La Rochelle, Chateauroux and Saintes have been recommended as possibilities. I've searched the forums here for these towns but haven't come up with too much.

To narrow it down a bit, although we enjoy sightseeing/wandering around cities I feel we will be a little worn out on that after spending several days exploring Paris, and are looking for something a little more slower-paced where the focus is more on the culture, food, relaxation, etc. For those of you who have visited these towns, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I don't think Chateauroux is the best choice, La Rochelle would be a much better option for relaxing and you'll enjoy food from the sea, which you won't have otherwise during your trip !

Saintes is by far the most interesting of your three choices. La Rochelle is next. Chateauroux would be last.

http://www.discover-poitou-charentes...es/saintes.htm

http://www.discover-poitou-charentes...a-rochelle.htm


On the way to La Rochelle there are some interesting stops, such as Aulnay and Surgères.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4172536671/

I love La Rochelle, that bridge that goes to the Ile De Re is worth taking that drive for a day trip. Restaurants: I like Les Flots.

We stayed in Pons in the poitou charentes area of France at http://www.maisonmaurice.net/index.html. An English couple run the B&B and it's just wonderful. It is in a most beautiful area, with fields of sunflowers as far as you can see.

La Rochelle is an easy day trip as are many other towns.