Gourmet products local specialties and wines Poitou-Charentes

Here's a grocery store that's very much in tune with its region and its time. Working with over 90 regional producers, many of whom sell organic produce, it offers fresh produce, dairy products, cheeses, dried goods, as well as breads, meats, poultry, wines, fruit juices, liqueurs, teas and coffees. Much more than a simple shop, it's a militant store with a clear commitment to rediscovering local consumption, bringing together consumers and producers from the Pico-charentais region.

Faisselle, crottin, brique, mothais, pyramide, bûche... All the goat cheeses made on this eco-construction farm are organic! Emmanuelle and Mathias work hard, taking good care of their animals, their goats from the Poitou region, to create quality cheeses that vary in taste and shape. Passionate about their business, they make it a point of honor to respect the environment and nature, and offer "Farm Knowledge Stays", on request, to share their profession as farmers. Enjoy your visit!

To taste it, the tradition wants that one breaks with a blow of fist this famous galette poitevine pure butter. With more than 40 years of experience, Goulibeur has continued to make its famous Poitou crushed cake recipe with panache. Still using its 5 natural ingredients, Goulibeur innovates and offers other flavors such as lemon, cocoa, walnut, cognac, but also a salted range with olives, comté cheese and onions. The store sells, in addition to the exquisite galette in pretty iron boxes, good products made in Poitou!

At the end of the road, the fish farm's large ponds are home to salmonids of all sizes. Talbat smoked trout has a long-standing reputation. Winner of the silver medal at the Concours Général Agricole in 2024, its flowery taste comes from salting with Guérande salt, smoking with beech wood and a well-kept manufacturing secret. Here, products are processed on site: marinated trout, trout rillettes... For those who like it natural, the breeders will go fishing directly in the ponds.

La Manuf is the story of a group of friends, their craft beer tasting club, and a dream: to create their own brewery. Their recipes are the fruit of a collective effervescence, while remaining true to their identity: beers with a strong hoppy character. At La Manuf, we like to innovate, and these activists of good foam have launched Le Labo. Every month, 3 new barrique brews make their debut, limited editions with surprising flavors. To discover them, visit the website or the bar/shop, with its view of the vats and summer terrace.

It is at the back of this elegant and spacious shop, with gleaming stainless steel pipes on a black background, that the large German roaster Probat by Anne and Frédéric operates. A beautiful machine! Twelve tons of coffee beans are roasted year round and ground for the customer every minute. In the tasting area, nestled in a comfortable Chesterfield, you will be able to rediscover the good coffee, the one that is filtered the old-fashioned way, less strong than an espresso and more aromatic. And then a hundred teas await you here, as well as fine groceries, such as the very subtle Cluizel chocolate or the "spreads" of (local) mushrooms and spices, oils... The welcome is warm.

Poitevins will tell you: "For cheeses, go to Jérémie Chosson! For you, the artisan creamer-cheesemaker selects the cream of the cream. In his pretty store where everything is elegantly designed, each cheese, perfectly matured, will be described to you with love. You will find the local ones, all the classics, but also the eccentric ones. Tastes that will make a beefy effect on your plate. Try also the gourmet preparations: gougères, panna cotta, box raclette...

Funny name for a wine estate! In the ^19th century, the people of the village used to cook their meals in the ovens dug in the tufa rock on the property. Today, it is Michaël Baudon who manages the family business. On his 28 hectares of vines, he cultivates 12 grape varieties: Gamay, Chenin, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet franc, Sauvignon, Viognier... and Floreal. Contact him for a guided tour and end the tour with a wine tasting in the cellar. A reference domain in Haut Poitou !

The Joly family's hundred or so cows are pampered daily on this family farm. 446,000 liters of milk are transformed into delicious organic products. Of course, there's the milk, the crème fraîche and the butter, but what the farm is best known for are its delicious raw-milk cheeses and, above all, its rice pudding and chocolate yoghurts. These products can be found at markets, farmers' stores, the farm store and at their big open day on the first Sunday in June.

The farm of Monique Baraton and Raymond Demiot is located in a former fortified village of the Middle Ages. They raise all kinds of birds in the open air. Part of their production is sold live, but also in a store - which they host on the Old Bellefonds site - where a wide range of agricultural products are sold, in addition to theirs. Products from approximately 20 department and neighbourhood producers are available: asparagus, sunflower oil, veal, lamb, beef, yoghurt, cheese, fruit and vegetables, etc. This is a place where you can make the full of good things from the farm. Welcome and ideal to discover the cuisine with local flavours.

La Fabric' is above all the story of a couple. After 10 years spent in the banking sector, Nicolas decided to take over a 160 ha cereal farm. Some time later, Alice joined him and the pasta manufacturing workshop was born. Made of 100% durum wheat, the varieties of homemade pasta with appetizing colors and shapes are a real showcase for Alice and Nicolas' sustainable agricultural production. Dentelles au curry, clochettes aux cèpes or even tractors (plain) for children, the flavors and spices are natural.

We're still licking our lips just thinking about it. Apricot saffron? Apple-grape jelly? Wild strawberry mara des bois? Cherry ginger? Melon with crushed Poitou ? You are in the workshop of the 2016 French champion of Confituriades, Orianne Lauer. In her copper cauldrons, using traditional and manual methods, she simmers sugar and fruit to obtain delicacies that are each more delicious than the last. In front of your eyes, she concocts recipes using fruit selected mainly from regional producers.

Did you know that the Montmorillon brewery dates back to 1843? It was located in Saulgé and its beer was the best-selling beer in Free France during the German occupation before closing in the 1960s. In 2015, it was the entrepreneur François Guillon who decided to give the Montmorillonnais their beer back by brewing on site. He has not managed to get his hands on the original recipe, but he hopes to give it back its letters of nobility. From now on, the brewery produces artisanal and organic beer, as well as lemonade and cola.

It is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque markets on the island. An unmissable place at La Fleet, it is approached by all those who meddle in the heart of the village, borrowing one of the small streets coming from the harbor. The place evokes the remote times with the paved courtyard surrounded by halles and medieval architecture. Merchants install their productions on shelves covered with wood appentis. Every morning, the plot comes alive with local products: fish, oysters, fruit and vegetables, salt, breads… Odors and colors are a reminder of Provençal markets.

It's one of Royannais institutions! Located just across the road from Pontaillac beach, this ice cream parlour is renowned for the quality of its ice creams. Open until late in the evening in summer, it's the perfect place to enjoy an ice cream after dinner. There's a flavour for everyone. If you like fruit, there's apple, mango or apricot. If you prefer ice cream, opt for organic chocolate or caramel, always with a homemade cone.

The island of Ré is a territory of great wealth. While crossing the viaduct, you will have all the leisure to admire delicious landscapes but also to taste quality products, such as the salt flower and the artisanal beers. In 1996, an Austrian master brewer created them, today the brewers offer authentic and quality products. Bières de Ré has been awarded in 2023 and keeps innovating, offering a wide range of beers, including organic beers without gluten and specials, Déferlante or Extra.

This gourmet boutique is located in the heart of an alleyway in the village of Saint-Martin. Leave the harbor behind and enter a world dedicated to fruit. Benjamin will welcome you with a smile, introducing you to the products concocted by Marc in large copper cauldrons. The technique is ancestral and marked by a single idea: to give fruit its rightful place. The jams here contain very little sugar, and you only have to taste them to realize this. It's hard to list all the flavors - there are dozens! So get ready! Everyone can taste to discover some of the jams on offer: blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, plum for the more classic ones, but also more surprising tastes: honey apple, blackcurrant mango, lavender apricot and others that are almost mysterious: Maman chérie, Chassiron... There's no doubt about it: you'll be welcomed with a smile and given sound advice. You'll also find a grocery corner featuring specialties from the Retaine region: caramels, fleur de sel, pineau...

When you're on the Ile de Ré, you're sure to enjoy the fine sandy beaches. But another reason why the area attracts so many tourists is its culinary delights. Sitting on a restaurant terrace, you're sure to enjoy some oysters! If you're in the mood for a picnic, a visit to the market is a must. Well-known to locals and tourists alike, it's always well-stocked with fresh seasonal produce.

Colbert's town may be famous for its arsenal, but it's also famous for its market. Saturdays are a must for food lovers! Head for the Avenue Charles de Gaulle to discover the many merchants selling their wares. In this market, the largest in Charente-Maritime, you'll find market gardeners, fishmongers, oyster farmers... The friendly atmosphere and affordable prices make you want to put down your shopping bag and sip a coffee on the terrace. Don't miss the Halles couvertes.

Les already knew the store located on the Old Port, they also loved the one who found the temple street. No doubt, the Atlantic city was prized by this cannery created in 1932 on the fishing port of Quiberon. Today, Caroline Hilliet continues his grandfather's work: to offer all lovers of canned fish quality products, and by entering one of the two shops, you will enjoy a pleasant welcome. Take the time to observe products that are beautifully highlighted. Here, the star is sardines. The great classics such as the Saint George are praised for its finesse, but also for more inédites flavours: … sardines, spices and spices, green peppers… If you want to put a little colour on your relaxation, choose spreadable: sardinade to tomatoes and capers, mackerel rillettes or conflict of onions. There are even hot toast, 5 min in the oven on a loaf of bread: Curry mussels, tuna and black olives…

No, you're not dreaming! You have to go to the Fromagerie, to buy... wine! André and his family have been producing wine for several generations from their 37 hectares of vines. For several years they have been committed to producing quality wine (organic with the AB label) using a variety of grape varieties: Merlot and Cabernet for the reds and rosé, Sauvignon and Colombard for the whites. The place is ideal to strengthen your cellar, you can buy wine, pineau and even soft drinks, apple juice and sparkling.

The oil mill Lépine is one of the last traditional oil mills in Poitou. Since 1810, in winter, people bring their nuts to make oil. For 8 generations now, the huge millstone of the Lépine family has been crushing walnuts and hazelnuts which are then heated to obtain a tasty oil. In the shop, Les Gourmandises d'Availles, you can buy the oils produced by the farm, flour from the cake for your cakes, spreads, as well as local products. A gourmet visit for the whole family!

At Château de Bonbonnet, surrounded by a team of enthusiasts, Alexandre Ferrand has brought together creativity, quality expertise and local flavors to sublimate Gin in the land of Cognac.

After more than a quarter-century of expertise, from April 2024 the establishment will offer an immersion into the unique Citadelle Gin production process. From the subtle marriage of juniper berries and aromatic herbs to the tasting, the senses are awakened as we delve into the secrets of gin production in the impressive cathedral distillery.

After a boat trip on the Charente River, let experts guide you through the great adventure of the House of Hennessy, illustrated by an immersive digital device: family saga, know-how, influence of the brand around the world... A 360° experience that continues with a visit to a traditional aging cellar in operation. Alongside an expert, enter the shoes of a member of the Hennessy Tasting Committee to learn about the subtleties of tasting. Also discover the one and only Hennessy boutique in the world, from limited editions to the most exceptional pieces. The signature tour offers a discovery of the history, know-how and behind-the-scenes of the House of Hennessy. The final stage of the visit: the Hennessy cognac tasting experience. The X.O Symbol tour invites the visitor to discover an emblematic product of the Brand: Hennessy X.O. The Exception tour is a reservation-only tour to discover the facets of the House of Hennessy, including a visit to the Paradise cellar and a private room for the tasting of Hennessy X.O and Paradise. Finally, the "à la carte" tour allows you to create a customized visit to places that are usually closed to the public: the vineyard, the cooperage, the age-old cellar and the distillery. Visit by reservation only.

This bakery and patisserie, located right in the heart of town, is a must for gourmets. The shop window is an irresistible invitation to come closer. You'll find viennoiseries, but above all pastries, including the inevitable puits d'amour, which has been delighting taste buds for over 40 years! This choux pastry, filled with crème pâtissière and topped with a crème brûlée glaze, is a delight. It's a pity, however, that the welcome lacks a smile and that the menu is subject to a high price tag.

Saint-Pierre attracts all those who like to stroll through the narrow streets of the town center or enjoy the iodized atmosphere of the port of La Cotinière. The town also boasts a covered market where everyone can stock up on fresh produce. The modern Les Halles is home to a wide range of traders in a pleasant atmosphere. You'll inevitably find seafood, but also fruit and vegetables, bread... During the summer season, street vendors set up shop on the esplanade, while the monthly fair is held on the last Tuesday of the month.

The market, set up under the ^19th-century Halles on the site of the Grande Boucherie, is a must for gourmets. Open every morning, it's bursting with local produce! Rochelais locals continue to flock to the aisles for the inevitable seafood, as well as fruit and vegetables. Wednesday and Saturday are market days! The stalls fill the adjacent streets with color, much to the delight of shoppers, who have plenty of time to find the product of their choice while enjoying a coffee break.

Camille and Raphaël welcome tourists to their chambres d'hôtes and their brand-new eco-gîte! The fattened ducks are force-fed and processed in the small workshop in batches of seventy-five, using organic corn produced on the farm, cooked in the fat, which is then used to cook delicate dishes according to the traditional recipes of Périgné's grandmothers! Combining farm activities, product tasting and a longer stay in a truly eco-friendly location is an excellent vacation idea.

The store offers a wide selection of chocolates, macaroons, cakes, confectionery, teas and coffees. The chocolatier does not offer on-site meals or takeaways. Rannou-Métivier also has other stores in the region, notably in Poitiers and Châtellerault. Chocolate lovers will find what they're looking for at one of these addresses.

The E.Leclerc hypermarket is a must for local residents and visitors alike. In addition to in-store shopping, you can also pick up your purchases on site. For motorists, electric recharging points are available in the parking lot. The store also offers practical services such as textile alterations and cell phone charging points. Finally, for those who prefer delivery, it is possible to opt for home delivery by filling your basket in-store.

This butcher sells "Chalais calf" which he himself selects from the producer.

The Boucherie butchery is well known in Angoulême, and for the cause! Here the products are regional: the calf of Chalais, the lamb of Poitou-Charentes, beef du Limousin, the pig pig comes from Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire. Farm chickens are also from Barbezieux Saint Hilaire and from several nearby farms. The sausages are home-made and it's right in the eye. You can also order baskets (assorted meat packages) to avoid frequent travel if you live far away. Cherry on the cake: The staff were friendly and helpful.

When you arrive in Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, all you'll want to do is walk along the sandy beach! But the Petit Futé also recommends that you take advantage of the town center of this pretty seaside resort to treat yourself to a quality lunch, or head to the market hall to fill your shopping bag with fresh produce. The authentic market is the ideal place to meet local producers and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, especially in summer. Take the opportunity to stroll along the pedestrian streets to the coast.

This magnificent estate just outside La Rochelle produces exceptional spirits. It is a charming stopover for those wishing to discover top-quality cognac and pineau. The current owner is a fifth-generation custodian of a unique savoir-faire. Through the combination of grape varieties and a subtle blend of exceptional eaux-de-vie, cognac is created after ageing in oak barrels. Several tours enable you to taste exceptional eaux-de-vie, including the chocolate-cognac alliance.

On Sunday mornings, some take pleasure in strolling along the seafront, enjoying the peace and quiet of the area. Others prefer the lively atmosphere of the La Pallice market. The address is obvious, but you still need to find a parking space. It's a popular spot with the locals, and parking is often hard to come by. Le Petit Futé advises you to take your bike or the bus. Unlike the Halles in the center of town, you don't just come here to stock up on seasonal produce, you can also buy clothes and other knick-knacks. There's a great atmosphere here, with local traders and producers in good spirits, as well as local residents enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up on the latest news. The other great thing about the La Pallice market is the scent that wafts through the aisles. Let yourself be tempted by the smell of egg rolls or roast chicken! It's a popular market, no doubt thanks to its special atmosphere.

Each neighbourhood has its own market! The city centre is obviously an exception with the Halles, where shopkeepers meet every morning, but also the adjacent streets where stalls bloom in the morning on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Place de Verdun is colourful on Friday afternoons. But the shopkeepers do not forget the neighbourhoods. They meet in Tasdon on Tuesday morning, in Villeneuve-les-Salines the next day. On Thursday morning, place at Port-Neuf then Mireuil on Friday morning and of course, the unmissable La Pallice market on Sunday morning. It alone attracts a crowd of locals who take advantage of a special atmosphere to find fresh produce and clothing.

The market is located in the heart of the town, right next to a parking lot where you can park easily and free of charge. Armed with your shopping bag, you'll meet the traders who set up shop under the halles all year round. In summer, they're there every day! On Sundays, it's time for the big market, with food, clothes, jewelry... The market is a meeting place, where everyone can find fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, meats... as well as enjoy a chat on the terrace of a café.

In 1933, the sauniers of the Ile de Ré formed a syndicate, and in 1942 a cooperative, to revive the saunière economy. Professionals decided to share their equipment, know-how and production to sell salt at a fair price. This initiative has enabled the restoration of abandoned marshes and the training of new salt workers, who you can meet at the hut. The Sauniers open their doors to you, from April to September, to taste these flavors!

Did you know that the abbey of Sablonceaux was surrounded by a 70 hectare vineyard? After visiting this magnificent monument, take a break at the Domaine de la Chauvillière located in the Bon Bois cognac appellation. The Hauselmann family has been working there since the 1950s and produces the two alcohols that are well known to the people of Charente (cognac and pineau) but also, since the 1980s, local Charente wines (chardonnay and sauvignon for the whites, merlot for the rosés and reds). Note: the estate has specialized in the vinification of chardonnay for over 30 years

This Baltard-style market has already been renovated 10 years ago as part of the city center's revitalization policy. It is one of the places that the inhabitants love, both for its atmosphere and the possibility to come and meet the producers of the region. If the red bricks have disappeared, the place has kept a pleasant atmosphere conducive to taking one's time, chatting and of course filling one's shopping bag with local products. Fishmongers, fruit and vegetable sellers, cheese makers are all present!

As well as stocking up on fresh produce at the large shopping center on the outskirts of the town, residents can also visit the market held at Les Halles and on Sunday mornings at the Pèlerins traffic circle. This is an ideal opportunity to fill your shopping basket and meet local producers. During the summer months, enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the night markets, which take place on the château esplanade, with live music. You'll find creations by local artisans.

At the Rosette des Prés, quality is the main priority. The products offered by Monsieur Chouc come from the Fenioux pig farm: the animals are reared in the open air, in full compliance with the Bleu Blanc Coeur Label specifications, with pigs fed on cereals, vegetable proteins and linseed which promote the intake of omega 3. The pork meats are made in the traditional way, in the respect of the cooking of the pig of yesteryear (stewed). Seven sales outlets are available under the L'heure du marché brand.

On the church square of Coulon, here is an excellent address to have a drink, a tea, to stroll, to taste a pancake, a waffle, and to buy some products from here and there in the cellar and the delicatessen of the shop. You are here at Jérémie's. It is this lover of the marsh who had the not-so-frozen idea to open this nice establishment, and that, all year long. You will find a modern decor and a very friendly welcome. And as the name suggests, don't forget to order a good homemade ice cream to refresh yourself.

Roselyne and Jean-François Lidon use elbow grease for their farm. 60 hectares of sunflowers and rapeseed are transformed into this precious golden nectar: oil. 14,000 liters are bottled each year. It is extracted by first cold pressing, the traditional method that allows to preserve the essential nutrients. Visit the farm to understand how it is made, store in the boutique and discover other products of the house: sardines in oil, lentils and chickpeas.

Founded in 1979, this company markets the coffee enjoyed in the city's restaurants, but also because it is a privileged partner of the Stade Rochelais. To find the store, head for the market district. It's impossible to miss. Close to the Halles, the large glass door and shop window are an invitation to travel. Once inside, all you'll want to do is head upstairs to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in a delicate atmosphere, but it's on the first floor that you'll discover the many products on offer. Let yourself be guided by sales assistants who will be delighted to advise you. The scents will awaken your senses. What a pleasure to smell the fragrance of coffee while listening to soft music. Your choice will depend on your tastes. Here you'll find top brand products, roudoudous to take you back to childhood, and magnificent porcelain teapots to surprise your guests.

The island of Ré is definitely a land of delicacies. To be convinced, you just have to push the doors of this cookie factory! The place is easy to access and allows everyone to find quality cakes, made in an artisanal way to please themselves. The shelves are provided, difficult to make a choice! The crunchy ones will perhaps make you crack, the cakes will accompany wonderfully a coffee and the caramel shortbread can be tasted at any time. The store also offers local products and gift ideas.

Choosing the right wine is often difficult. If you don't want to worry about it, you can visit this cellar, which is easy to get to since it's located in the Lagord artisanal zone. You'll appreciate the easy parking and, above all, the ever-warm welcome from Laurent and Dominique, who are above all true wine enthusiasts. They will guide you through a rich universe, with a selection of quality wines - some 700 references - for a tour of France and pretty foreign escapades, 100 references of whisky, 70 references of rum and a dozen of gin. Let us guide you through this universe to find the wine that best suits your expectations and your budget. When you come here, you'll no doubt want to enjoy a glass with the inevitable plate of charcuterie or cheese. What's more, you may spot the machine installed at the back of the store, which preserves wine by blowing in gas. Once opened, the bottle will keep for over a month! Here, you'll be greeted by two professionals with training in wine production and tasting. The establishment is air-conditioned and has a lovely terrace.

Passing through the door of this wine shop means becoming an apprentice oenologist for the duration of a tasting session with Pascal Merle. Specializing in Charente wines, you'll find what you're looking for in the wide range of references and regions, including champagne.

The roundness of the counter, the burgundy color of the walls, the ruby glow of the bottles: the whole store is an ode to wine products.

Ideal for an outing with friends, to buy a bottle or taste directly at the counter over small bites, all at affordable prices.