From chicken-shaped cabins to alcoholic seafood soup: eight quirky facts about Vienne

This department, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of south-west France, has some interesting, yet unexpected features

At leisure park DefiPlanet, accommodation is in the shape of giant rabbits or chickens
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Have you ever dreamt of walking with llamas, sleeping in a chicken-shaped cabin, or visiting a kaleidoscope house? 

In Vienne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), these dreams could become a reality. 

We take a look at some quirky activities and fun facts to do with this department in south-west France.

Quirky facts about Vienne

  1. In 1903 a replica of the Statue of Liberty was erected in the Place du Pilori in Poitiers (where people were executed during the Revolution) and the square was renamed the Place du Liberté.
  2. Read also: Poitiers: a pocket guide to Vienne's capital city

  3. DefiPlanet, a village de vacances in Dienné, has castles and treehouses, yurts, chalets, gypsy caravans, log huts and cabins shaped as giant rabbits or chickens.
  4. Artist Pascal Audin's house in the centre of Gençay is covered in a multicoloured kaleidoscope of Art Naïf decorations.
  5. The massive 'foire' in Coulonges-les-Hérolles is held from 8.30 to 13.30 on the 29th of every month (or on Monday 30th if the 29th falls on a Sunday) attracting up to 18,000 visitors.
  6. La Belle Année in Jazeneuil (just south of Poitiers) offers walks with llamas. It is the same as hiking with a donkey - except it is a llama! 
  7. During World War Two, the Belgian administration shifted to France, and for 26 days Poitiers was the capital of Belgium. A replica Manneken-Pis given to the city in 1950 still adorns the entrance hall of the Commissariat.
  8. Read also: One of Europe's oldest churches is found in France's 'City of 100 Spires’

  9. The walls of the Cul de Paille restaurant in Poitiers are covered in autographs including Arletty, Georges Brassens, Coluche, Claude Nougaro, and Charles Aznavour.
  10. Try the Aux Bons Enfants restaurant for a cosy atmosphere and good prices. Check out their 'Farci Poitevin' which is kind of like cabbage and bacon paté, and their 'Porée Marine au Pineau des Charents’ (seafood in a very alcoholic cream soup).
  11. Read more:  Tourteau fromagé: The French delicacy known as 'the cheesecake of Poitou'

Llama walking at La Belle Année