The four departments of this region (Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, Charente and Charente-Maritime) contain only two medium-sized cities between them. These are Poitiers and La Rochelle.

La Rochelle (Poitou-Charentes)

The region has a relatively sparse population, who live in the largest number of detached houses in France. This is a mainly rural area, with a large number of vineyards which produce notably France's famous brandy, Cognac (of which 90% is exported).

Sailing off La Rochelle harbour (Poitou-Charentes)

Various industrial activities (food production, wood, clothing manufacture and so on) are carried out by small and medium-sized companies.

Poitiers, a historic town and the regional capital, one and a half hours from Paris by high-speed train, has become a major university town (with a student population of 25,000). La Rochelle, with its famous harbour, is popular with tourists and holidaymakers. Not far along the coast, seafood can be sampled, including some of the best oysters in France.