Things to do.
In the summer throughout the region there are hundreds of events staged, ranging from brocantes (where you can pick up typical French bric-a-brac/antiques), village fetes, street entertainment and large festivals of all types.
'On the doostep'
Immediately out of the garden you are onto the network of chemins blanc - hundreds of kms. of white limestone farm tracks through the vines and woodland; ideal for walking and cycling. If you do bring your own cycles we have safe undercover storage in one of our barns.
Ornithologists among you will be delghted - one of our guests spotted 63 species in a 10 day period.
Horseriding / ponytrekking is available just 3kms from the house - novices to experts are catered for and in 2008 the cost was just 5 euros an hour! If you don't want to ride you can follow on behind in a horse drawn buggy!
Microlight flights over the beautiful local countryside are available a few kms away. There is a small brewery at Bercloux just a few mins away where you can sample 4 or 5 types of beer and where occasional concerts are held through the summer months.
Just 3km away in Nantille you will find Bonnin's distillery where Madame Bonnin will be happy to let you taste (degustation) and buy fine wines, cognac and pineau.
At St-Hilaire-De-Villefranche there is an open air swimming pool and a very helpful tourist information office.
A little further
St Jean D'Angely 15 mins away is a typical Charentaise town on the banks of the river Boutonne with an old market hall, bustling outdoor market, medieval buildings and the beautiful Abbaye Royale. There is Atlantys - a pool complex with a 54m flume, diving pool, jacuzzi, gym and sauna. The adjacent leisure park has a large boating lake with pedaloes and kayaks, play areas and an outdoor pool. Across town you will find Karting, and there is a Motorcycle Motocross Circuit that stages an MX1 World Championship round each year in June.
At Saint-Cesaire there is Paleosite, an interactive voyage into pre-history for everyone to enjoy. This new attraction is about 20 minutes away.
St Savinien 15 mins. away is a lovely little town on the Charente river with a delightful boating lake with minature paddle steamers, ferries, tugs etc for small children (and mums and dads).
The charming town of Saintes just 20 mins away and also on the Charente, has many remnants of its important Roman history, you can visit the large Amphitheatre (the children can play at gladiators!) and 'Arch de Germanicus', the Roman museum and many other artifacts. During the summer months the town hosts many street theatre events, and entertainment within the amphitheatre. You will also find boats for hire, river trips, Ten Pin Bowling, beautiful parks, karting, gliding, excellent shopping and many restaurants and cafes. The challenging 18 hole golf course has a Roman viaduct along side it. The clubhouse has a good restaurant and equipment hire shop.
Cognac (again on the Charente) is 25 mins away and has the world famous distilleries of Hennessey, Martell, Remy Martin and many more. They all offer very interesting English speaking tours and 'degustation' (tasting). Hennessey has a little boat trip to it's warehouses and Remy a little train ride through its vineyards. Many more smaller Cognac distillers dotted along the roads also offer degustation and sales.
Cognac is a lovely old town with medieval bulidings and has several music festivals each year. The largest of these is 'Blues Passions' a five day event held on the run up to and over the last weekend in July featuring World class performers. There is also another excellent 18 hole Golf course here. The Tour de France often passes through the town.
There are a number of Chateaux you may visit - a favourite of ours is La Roche Courbon - about 25 minutes away
Further Afield
The Coastline and Islands of the Charente Maritime are renowned for their wonderful beaches and bathing to suit all. There is a great beach at Chatelaillon-Plage and the Gironde estuary has numerous lovely small fishing/yachting ports with restaurants.
Just 45 mins to Royan with it's 6 safe sandy beaches, steet entertainment, restaurants, shopping and funfairs. Just beyond is the Zoo of La Palmyre - one of the best in France.
From the Fouras peninsular (beautiful in itself) you can take a ferry to the Ilse d'Aix or a trip around Fort Boyard
Rochefort is a lovely town with a Naval ship building history. You can visit the rebuild of La Fayette's frigate Hermione. The magnificent Napoleonic rope works the Corderie Royale is a must see destination.
1 hour to the magnificant Cote Sauvage with wild rolling Atlantic surf and miles of superb sand. Very popular with Kite Surfers.
1 hour to sophisticated La Rochelle with its medieval stone galleried shopping area, huge marina, street entertainment and quayside dining. The Aquarium here is world famous. The beautiful islands of Ile De Re and Ile D'Oleron are also about 1 hr away and well worth the visit - glorious beaches, quaint towns and lots of cycling routes and cycle hire.
Futuroscope at Poitiers is just over 1hr away and is an interactive theme park - many hands on things for the children to get involved with.
The Marais Poitevin close to Niort again about an hour away, is an area criss crossed with hundreds of kms of small canals. Here you can hire a small boat and explore the quiet still backwaters. There are quaint canalside villages with cafes and restaurants. Niort itself is well worth a visit to see the magnificent Donjon de' Alienor d' Aquitaine - Started by Henry II in 1158 and completed by his son Richard Coeur de Lion (The Lionheart).
Bordeaux is 1 1/2 hours away and is an elegant city with many beautiful buildings, vast squares, riverside promenades, theatres, museums and excellent eating out. The park and (Tram) ride system is very inexpensive and easy to use.
Here are some links to activities in the region.
Cognac Distilleries: www.cognac-world.com
Cognac Golf Course: www.golfducognac.asso.fr
Palmyre Zoo: www.zoo-palmyre.fr
La Rochelle Aquarium: www.aquarium-larochelle.com
The Puzzle Castle: www.chateau-enigmes.com
Futuroscope: www.futuroscope.com
Zoo @ Chizes: www.zoodysee.org/20_formations.asp
Monkey Valley: www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr
Marais Poitevin: www.veniseverteloisirs.fr
La Rochelle: www.larochelle-tourisme.com
Bordeaux: www.Bordeaux-tourisme.com
Coast Activities: www.bernezac.com/Meschers_uk.htm