The following are a sample of the many places to visit throughout the Poitou - Charentes region, for all the family to enjoy. You will find an information file in your Gite with more details of these and other attractions in the area.

FUTUROSCOPE

Situated just north of Poitiers, this futuristic world is a must for all the family. Day passes are available. For the 2001 season there were many exciting attractions featuring a special effects studio, 3 D cinemas, projection system auditoriums, audience participation videos, a theatre, illuminated lake and adventure play areas.

POITIERS – The main city in the Poitou - Charentes, where you will find Historic, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture

CHATAILLON - LE - PLAGE – Lovely colourful seaside town with a long promenade and sandy beach. Lots of good seafood restaurants.

THE MARAIS POITEVIN (VENISE VERTES )

A peaceful and tranquil area of natural beauty with quaint little villages linked by a marshland forest with a labyrinth of picturesque waterways. Canoes and punts are available for hire or join a riverboat for a short cruise. There are numerous cycle and footpaths and delightful places to stop for a picnic. There is also a horse/riding centre here.

LA ROCHELLE

An attractive town, a walled seaport with the largest Marina on the Atlantic Coast. There are museums of ceramics and paintings and a large new Aquarium. There are many bars and restaurants overlooking the harbour to enjoy a drink and a meal and watch the world go by. Day cruises leave the mainland for the local islands.

CHAUVIGNEY & ANGLIN SUR L'ANGLIN

The picturesque medieval city of Chauvigney is just north of Poitiers and has wonderful views over the valley from the ramparts of the castle. From here take a short drive to Anglin sur l'Anglin one of the most photographed villages in France.

ISLAND OF RÉ – Just off La Rochelle, accessible by a toll bridge. Here you will find long sandy beaches, ideal for sunbathing, quaint villages and small harbours. There are cycle tracks through woodlands, vineyards and nature reserves.

ISLAND OF OLÉRON

Again just off La Rochelle, linked by a toll free bridge, where you will find the main centre in France for the farming of oysters. The sandy beaches are ideal for children and water sports. On the island you will also find sand dunes and pine forests.

ISLE d'AIX – A beautiful island with small peaceful beaches and lots of interesting restaurants specialising in seafood to enjoy a leasurely lunch. Get there by footpassenger ferry from Fouras. Walk or cycle around the island ( bikes for hire ) or take a sightseeing tour of the island on a horse and carriage.

ROYAN – A busy seaside resort. Five sheltered beaches provide a variety of spots for sunbathing. Around and about there are numerous bars and restaurants. Further along the coast can be found other beaches, ideal for surfing and windsurfing.

FOURAS – A delightful resort near to Rochefort and the bird sanctuaries along that coastline. The beach is most suitable for young children. Here you can take the footpassenger ferry to the island of Aix.

COGNAC – Famous for brandy produced from the vineyards. Tours can be taken around the Hennessy and Martell distilleries, the large Remy Martin estate and Courvoisier museum.

THE CHARENTE RIVER

the river meanders throughout the region, flanked by vineyards and sunflower fields. Saintes, Cognac, and Jarnac all overlook the Charente River with attractive bridges and make an ideal location for a day trip sightseeing and shopping.

A short drive in the direction of Ruffec will bring you to the charming village of Verteuil with a fantastic Chateau built into the rocks on the banks of the Charente, a perfect location for a picnic and also visit the working Water Mill nearby

CHIZÉ FOREST – in the National Park you will find ZOORAMA with its many animals living in their natural environment in 25 hectares of forest ( otters, bison, vultures, lynx, wolves, wild oxen, reptiles, amphibians )with a mini farm and play area.

SILVER MINES OF MELLE – this is where silver was mined and the old coinage called Deniers were made between the 5^th and 10^th Century. There is also the Carolinginas garden, which gives you an idea of the plants people used at that time.

ST. JEAN D’ANGELY

A beautiful town with medieval buildings, cobbled streets, shops, bars and restaurants.

AULNAY FOREST

well worth a visit for a drive through the forest or walking and to call in at the old village of Aulnay with its historic church.

PUY du FOU – A 40 hectare medieval theme park with many attractions including live shows and pageants, mock villages and theatres. Entertainment for all the family

CANOEING & KAYAKING

‘Club Canoe Kayak’ de Saint Jean Loulay near St Jean d’Angely and ‘Aire de Rejallant’ near Ruffec are superb locations for canoeing & kayaking on the winding river Charente through picturesque countryside. Picnic areas and a riverside restaurant complete the perfect setting for a fun day out for all the family. This is a very popular area and you would be well advised to arrive in good time for lunch to reserve your picnic table.

ATLANTYS – In St. Jean d’Angely you will find a huge indoor Aquatic centre, with a 54m toboggan slide, childrens slide, jacouzis, saunas, relaxation areas, solarium & café.

AIRE de LOISIRS & VAL de BOUTONNE – Near St. Jean d’Angely, here you will find a number of activities fo adults & children, including lakes to bathe in, pedalos, canoes, kayaks, sailing boats, mini golf, table tennis, basket, beach ball & tennis facilities, café & restaurant.

PLAN D’EAU du LAMBON – Near village of Prailles. Lakeside area with sailing, canoeing, pedalos, mini golf and restaurant overlooking the lake. Very pleasant drive through Tilou to Paizay-le Tort and up to the outskirts of Melle, with views down onto the river Boutonne and two encharnting Chateaux in the hillside. From Melle take the road to Niort and Base de loisirs is signposted on the way. Before returning home the historical town of ‘Celles-s-Belle’ is worth a visit. Here you will find an attractive square with shops, bars and the magnificent Abbey.

St SAVINIEN Sur CHARENTE – West of Saintes, an enchanting picturesque town on the Charente River, where you can take a long or short cruise along the river with the backdrop of the towns, villages and riverside properties along the way. There is also a lake where children can navigate on minature motorised wooden replicas of old steam paddle boats. Canoes are also for hire and on the river itself small motor boats from the pier. You will find many places to have a picnic but arrive early to reserve your space as the location is very popular. There are good tracks along the river for hiking and cycling. Also try your hand at playing boule on the platanque courts. The locals will often invite you to join them if you show an interest. Later on in the day, if you are of a mind to go on somewhere else, take the very pleasant drive along the Charente river through Taillebourg into Saintes for an early evening drink and back home through the Charante valley.

LA VALLEE de SINGES – At Romagne, south of Poitiers, a park unique to France with direct contact with 25 species of primates including Gorillas & Gibbons, some 350 primates in all, living in their natural environment. There is a picnic area and restaurant.

GOLF COURSES – The superb 18 hole par 72 course at Cognac, with undulating fairways, views of vineyards and some water hazards. The picturesque 3x9 hole courses at Chateau Les Forges, with water hazards, undulating and wooded fairways agreeable for low to high handicappers. The par 68 18 hole course at Saintes, a varied course amongst a woody valley with views of Saintes & the 3 steeples. Practice courses, putting greens and a driving range. Clubhouse at each with restaurant and bar facilities, as well as club, cart & trolly hire.

WORKING FARMS – discovery farms where you can see how it works and the surrounding environment and farmers selling products directly from the farms, from fois gras to escargot to vegetables and cheese.

This information is provided only as a guide. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the details provided or any changes that may be made to the facilities by the owners. It should also be noted that some of these places of interest may be closed to the public out side of the summer season. It is recommended that you check on the opening hours, cost and availability in advance of your visit.