The rich architectural heritage of the town of Poitiers and the decidedly high-tech, state-of-the-art visual theme park of Futuroscope are the two tourist hearts of Vienne.

Both are within 11 km driving distance from each other so it is possible to let the older teenagers explore on their own - but then again you would miss out ... Futuroscope does not have the grandness of a Florida theme park, nor a selection of white knuckle rides. All the best attractions are image based, with various devices, such as seats mounted on hydraulics, which move in tandem with the screen action to draw you into the experience.

The films all have soundtracks in French and the headphone commentaries in English don’t really add much. But the various visual devices more than make up for these minor shortcomings. There is accommodation on site and if you go yourself “Le Tapis Magique” - the flying carpet - is the best of the lot.

Futuroscope - IMAX 3D

If neither sound like your cup of tea you can choose from the triumvirate of towns and villages of Chauvigny, Angles sur l'Anglin and St-Savin.

Highlights of Chauvigny are its Eglise St-Pierre and the five ruined medieval castles which hint at its importance when it was the property the bishops of Poitiers. The red roofs of the jumble of townhouses neatly offset the ruins on the hills.

Angles-sur-Anglin in a natural amphitheatre on the river has narrow streets and an old watermill. South is a magnificent sequence of frescoes in the 11th century abbey church of St-Savin.

	Futuroscope - Le Tapis Magique at night

The hilltop town of Poitiers with plenty of pedestrian precincts, some elegantly manicured gardens in the Parc de Blossac, an historic centre and a clutch of churches - including the suitably named Notre-Dame-la-Grande - add up to a very comfortable couple of days visiting.

There’s also a big buzzy food and clothes market everyday in the Place Charles-de-Gaulle, and plenty of non-stop café life at Place du Maréchal Leclerc. Every street has something to see whether it's half timbered houses or renaissance hôtels.

And just to make life as easy as possible there’s “Les chemins de Notre-Dame” - red, blue and yellow markings which point you to Poitier’s most prestigious buildings via the city’s bustling streets (a guide book explaining the route is available from the tourist office).