Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure: This lovely market town is less than 10 mins away. Here you will find a selection of banks, bars, restaurants, a tourist office, a supermarket, brico-brac stores and lovely pavement cafes where you can sit and watch the world go by Charente Lakes: The area is surrounded by spectacular lakes with sandy man-made beaches, safe swimming, shower & toilet facilities, water sports, pedaloes, picnicking and quality cafe/ bars and restaurants. Alternatively try the adventure parc and explore the world between earth and sky in four circuits of 63 games of increasing difficulty. Limoges: Only 50 mins away is the city and airport of Limoges (capital of Limousin). The old town of Limoges requires a full day to experience the delights it has to offer. Why not visit the outdoor market where the much sought after Limoges pottery can be purchased at a fraction of UKprices. Alternatively the new town has a good selection of designer shops and large supermarkets within the shopping centre
St Junien: If golf is your thing then the 9 & 18 hole course at St Junien comes highly recommended and is only 40 mins away. Daily and weekly rates available. The very pretty town square is an ideal spot for lunch at one of the many pavement cafes or why not join the locals for an International game of Petanque. The larger supermarkets can also be found here as well as a Saturday outdoor market. La Rochelle: Approx 2hrs, the historic port of La Rochelle is a must for any visitor to the region. Its sea food restaurants are famous throughout Europe and its range of fashionable boutiques, sheltering under the famous arcades, are some of the finest outside Paris. Time should be found to visit the aquarium and to visit the famous towers which surround the old port. Ile de Ré: Only a short distance from La Rochelle, linked to the mainland by a stunning curved bridge, is the Ile de Ré. Known as the St Tropez of the west coast, it offers miles of sandy beaches and the old world charm of St Martin. It is the summer playground for many French politicians and stars of the entertainment world. Marais Poitevin: Often known as "Green Venice", the Marais Poitevin provides a remarkable web of interlinked canals in the most stunning natural setting. Visitors can hire boats and spend hours exploring this unique water system. It covers 96,000 hectares and sits between the sea to the west, the Vendée to the north and Niort to the east. Cognac: Just over an hour's drive away is Cognac, the home of brandy. Many of the big name distillers offer impressive tours including train rides through miles of vaulted cellars. The town itself, situated on the banks of the Charente, is well worth a visit. In nearby Jarnac you can visit the birthplace of former French President Mitterrand. Rochefort: The former home of the French navy at the mouth of the Charenteis a town with many fascinating places to visit. The Corderie Royale, the former rope making factory, has been beautifully restored and offers visitors the chance to see how rope has been made throughout the centuries. Just nearby, in a dry dock, you can see the reconstruction underway of the Hermione, a French sailing ship that went to the aid of the American colonist. Oradour-sur-Glane: 50 mins away, this village became infamous due to the happenings on June 10th1944. Soldiers entering the village attacked & massacred many of the residents without giving reason for their actions, killing a total of 642 men, women & children. A walk through a day in history, that you are sure to reflect and remember. More information can be found at www.oradour.info |