Dining Out:
There's plenty of choice in the area. Some of our favourites include:
Aux Choeurs de Bacchus, just an 8 minute drive. Isabelle and Alain are fabulous hosts and make dining here a wonderful experience.
Café Portebleue, in the beautiful village of Verteuil. Always a great meal.
Gateaux, a warm and cosy place to enjoy a slice of cake and a cup of tea or coffee. In the pretty village of Tusson, where you can also visit the pottery and other local artists.
La Ferme Auberge - mostly serves their own farm bred black pork dishes. A short walk from the gites.
There are many alternative dining choices available and we provide a comprehensive list in our Information Book
Chef Boutonne is the home of the Javerzay Chateau which is surrounded by a lake where carp fishing is available. It is a delightful small town with a lively market on Saturday mornings.
There are also restaurants and bars where you can sit outside and watch the world go by.
Aire de Rejallent (20 minutes) on the Charente is particularly scenic with little bridges and grassy islands. Here you can swim, BBQ and picnic, ramble on riverside trails and, of course, the kids will love the play area. During July and August kayaks are available to hire.
The popular restaurant offers alfresco dining with views over the river
Cognac , only 45 minutes drive, sits alongside the Charente river and is a delightful town to spend a day in. Take one of the many tours of the cognac distilleries such as Hennessy, Martell or Otard.
In July, Cognac is host to the world famous Cognac Blues Festival.
Every September, Angouleme fills with racing enthusiasts for the Circuit des Ramparts ( www.circuit-des-remparts.com ), an annual gathering of classic and vintage cars.
Circuit des Ramparts 2023: 15, 16, and 17 September.
Angouleme's other attractions include the Cathedral, walking along the Ramparts, shopping areas and a good choice of restaurants.
La Vallee des Singes ( www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr ) is only 30 minutes away - wander from islet to islet in this parkland setting and observe monkeys roaming free in this beautiful cage free habitat.
Melle is a delightful Romanesque market town about 20km away. It has three interesting churches and the oldest royal silver mines in Europe. There is a botanical walk around the town with thousands of shrubs and trees which change with each season. Classical music events are held annually and, as well as a jazz bar, you will find cafes, restaurants and other amenities in Melle. The vibrant market is held on Friday mornings.
Futuroscope ( www.en.futuroscope.com ) in Poitiers, about 50 kms away, is a high tech theme park with extreme thrills, images in giant-screen format, breath-taking shows and interactive adventures that will delight your senses, and more. Fun for all the family.
La Rochelle boasts a bustling harbour, historic centre, and an active cultural scene. In the central shopping area you will find chic boutiques and street cafes. A relaxing lunch at a quayside restaurant overlooking the two ancient towers that guard the city is a must for all seafood lovers. The aquarium is a major attraction and is popular with children and adults alike. There is also a beach hidden behind the two towers, so La Rochelle offers the best of both worlds
Venise Verte ( www.la-venise-verte.com ) at Coulon, near Niort, is a beautiful area of canals with boutique cafes and restaurants. Why not hire a punt with a driver and cruise the waterways. One of the particularly beautiful spots is Coulon, where you can hire a punt and have a delicious al fresco lunch.
Niort , 50 kms, is the departmental town of the Deux Sevres and lies on the banks of the Sevre Niortaise river. It has an historical dungeon, a covered food market, and lovely old streets with individual and unique shops, and plenty of restaurants within pedestrianised streets. There is often live music beside the river in July and August and the open air area near the tourist information centre is great fun for children.
There are also golf courses nearby.
Oradour Sur Glane , is a village in the Limousin region. The original population was destroyed on 10 June 1944, when 642 of its inhabitants, including women and children, were massacred by a German Waffen SS company. A new village was built after the war on a nearby site but on the orders of the then French President, Charles De Gaulle, the original village has been maintained as a permanent memorial and museum.
It is well worth a visit.
