The Local Area
Le Relais is our local child friendly local bar/restaurant for an apéritif or meal. A 2 minute walk away.
In Loulay you will find all your daily needs - boulangerie, grocer, bank, post, pharmacy and restaurant/bar. Free live bands every Friday night in the summer in the village square. A 2 minute drive away.
The medieval market town of St. Jean d’Angély is brimming with character with its leafy squares, timber houses and cobbled streets. The 15th Century clock tower and abbey towers impose on the skyline and the colourful twice-weekly market selling superb regional produce is an assault on your senses. Enjoy a fresh coffee at one of the pavement cafés and soak up the atmosphere.
Restaurants and bars cater for all tastes. Swim indoors at the Atlanty’s aqua centre with 50m waterslide. Canoes or kayaks can be hired at the nearby lake. For the less energetic, a round of crazy golf might prove a better alternative. For older children with a need for speed, Go Karting offers fast track fun. www.angely.net/
At nearby Dampierre-sur-Boutonne you will find our local château! A 16th century Renaissance treasure surrounded by running water in a wooded setting. Wander through the tranquil, green rose gardens or lose yourself in the small maze. www.chateaux-france.com/dampierresurboutonne
The Chizé forest is the first French certified animal reserve where you can safely see roe deer, wild boar, wolves and many other European animals in their natural habitat in the cool forest. Mini farm, play area and café. www.zoodyssee.org
Surgères is an unassuming market town with a beautiful Château nestled in green parkland. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays stall holders set up their wares at the crack of dawn, and Surgères comes to vibrant and very French life. Try the superb locally produced butter on your crusty baguette washed down with some good inexpensive vin! www..tourisme-surgeres.com
Antezant is a little known spot on the river Boutonne, shaded by tall trees and perfect for children. Ideal setting for picnics. The snack bar provides light lunches and ices. There is also a boules pitch and children’s play area.
Days out
La Rochelle is not to be missed! Head here for serious retail therapy, credit cards at the ready (husbands optional!) Discover chic boutiques amongst arcaded streets in this cosmopolitan, bustling city. Enjoy the finest fresh seafood overlooking the historic old port or take a boat trip to one of the islands. When the heat is on head to the Aquarium www.aquarium-larochelle.com to cool off. This water wonderland is a deservedly very popular attraction. Magical, mystical and ultra modern, but go early! When you’ve exhausted the shops and the children, take time out to relax at the small beach. The park and mini zoo with black swans and peacocks are just a stone’s throw away. Sip a coffee or chilled beer at ‘ La Brasserie de la Plage’ whilst overlooking the sea. Parfait!
Beaches
The beaches here are spotless, sandy and safe. If the beach is your thing then the Atlantic coast is well equipped to satisfy with shallow gentle shores. There is a wealth of golden beaches many uncrowded even in high season. Our favourites include Châtelaillon-Plage and Fouras, www.fouras.net famous for its oyster beds. Both have restaurants along the front ( and on the beach) offering fresh seafood. Royan has a spectacular beach stretching 2 km where you can sail and windsurf. At St Palais the beaches are more secluded.
Cognac
Steeped in history on the banks of the Charente, Cognac revolves around cognac, the double-distilled spirit that is the driving force of this prosperous town's economy. Discover the celebrated ‘eau de vie’ by taking a guided tour of one of the famous Cognac houses where you can sample the finest oak aged blends. Included in the Hennessey tour is a boat trip across the river and Remy Martin includes a train ride for children. Allow 2 hours for tours. www.ville-cognac.fr
St Savinien
Children will adore taking the helm of one of the miniature electric boats. Adults secretly enjoy this too! Afternoons only April—September. A must do!www..saint-savinien.com
Marais Poitevin
Crisscrossed by an elaborate system of canals, the ‘Venise Verte’ or ‘Green Venice’ is a National Park and a haven for wildlife and marsh birds. Take a boat trip (guided or not) from Coulon and experience the tranquility of this natural maze. www.marais-poitevin.com
Saintes
Plenty of culture for the beach weary. Built on the banks of the Charente and rich in architecture this Gallo- Roman town is home to numerous museums and the impressive amphitheatre dating from 40 A.D. The Arch of Germanicus was once the town’s gateway and still dominates the riverside views. Shop, lunch or take a calming boat trip along the river.
The Islands
Beautiful yet unpretentious. Brimming with charm, Ile de Ré www.iledere.com is picture postcard where the beaches are sandy soft and the island’s salt marshes deliver the ‘Fleur de Sel’ or ‘white gold‘ as it is known locally. A culinary find for any discerning cook. St. Martin, the largest town is a lively hub for food, nightlife and shopping. Artisan ice creams are hard to resist.
Ile d’Oleron also offers exceptional beaches on the ‘Côte Sauvage’ where you can picnic amongst the pine forests and sand dunes or just browse the shops in the narrow lanes.
Both islands are accessible by car or boat but we never tire of the journey across the 3km bridge. Cycling is also an excellent way to explore these self-contained islands.
La Palmyre Zoo
Get up close and personal with the giraffes (and other zoo animals). This is no ordinary zoo and will not disappoint. An award winning breeding zoo with 1600 animals, set in 14 hectares. Polar bears, elephants - all the usuals plus a reptile house, tropical greenhouse and seal show. Stunning beaches on the doorstep make this a full day out. www.zoo-palmyre.fr
Bordeaux
Now officially a World Heritage site, Bordeaux is rich in architecture and a cultural and historic centre with shops to rival any major city. An internationally renowned wine capital, the wine growing regions of Margaux, Pommerol, St. Emilion and Pauillac in the surrounding area produce some of the finest red wines in the world. www.bordeaux-tourisme.com
Futuroscope
An extraordinary theme park based upon multimedia, cinematographic and audio-visual techniques of the future. It has several 3D cinemas along with other attractions and shows, some of which are the only examples in the world. Packed with thrills, images in giant-screen format and mind-blowing shows that will amaze you, play on your senses and involve you in the action, as you escape into new worlds of fun. www.futuroscope.com
