WHAT TO SEE AND DO

·        Relaxing at La Maison des Grands Bambous
    if you just want to 'chill' or have overdone the touring and sightseeing,
    why not relax on the terrace by the pool with a cool glass of something,
    or sit under a tree in the garden with a book listening to the birds. 
    Perhaps you fancy a jacuzzi to soothe away the aches and pains of more
    strenuous excercise, followed by a drink in the adjacent bar area. 

                 Pool and terrace area                                        Jacuzzi and shaded bar area

     The garden for relaxing in or playing croquet                The bamboo garden and grove

·        Beaches
    beautiful sandy beaches at Royan, Fouras, Ile de Ré, La Rochelle

·        Golf courses
     several within an hour’s drive

               Cognac - 18 holes                    20 mins
        Saintes - 18 holes                      35 mins
        Angouleme - 18 holes             35 mins
        Niort - 18 holes                          50 mins
        Royan - 18 holes                        50 mins
        La Rochelle - 18 holes             60 mins

·        Fishing
    in the local rivers of the Charente, Osme, Boutonne
    Permits are available from local Tabacs

·        Cycling/Walking (from the village)
    on lots of local tracks and paths
    Bicycles are available but please bring your own helmets

·        Oysters/seafood  (50 mins)
    at Ile d’Oleron oyster beds and local markets.  Oysters are available all
    year round and range in price from €3 to €5.50 per kilo according to size. 
    €6.50 will buy you about 18 of the jumbo ones!

·        Cognac/pineau/wine (from 5 mins)
    major brandy houses at Cognac and Jarnac, plus local distilleries and
    wineries for tasting and buying.  

·        Futuroscope
    at Poitiers

·        Angouleme  (35 mins)
    a large fortress town and capital of the Charente Departement.  This
    ancient town, with wonderful ramparts surveys the Charente valley
    below.  The 12th Century cathedral is reputedly one of the best examples
    of Romanesque architecture in Europe.  A wide choide of restaurants and
    shops are to be found in the old town.  Angouleme also houses the
    Musem of Cartoons and the Museum of Paper, located at the Moulin de
    Fleurac.  In September, the famous 'Circuits des Remparts' provides a
    weekend of vintage car racing round the ramparts.

·        Bordeaux  (100 mins)
    capital of the most famous wine region in the world.  Provides all the
    culture and shopping of a large and sophisticated city associated with
    the centuries old wine trade

·        Cognac  (20 mins)
    home to Hennessy, Martell, Otard and Camus cognac houses.  Located
    on the banks of the river Charente, Cognac was the birthplace of
    Francois 1er.  The new museum of Cognac is certainly worth a visit,
    followed by a guided tour of one of the cognac houses.  Boat trips are
    available from near the marina located at the end of the main quay.

·        Jarnac  (20 mins)
    located further downstream on the Charente, the main square of this
    delightful town is dominated  by the Chateau du Courvoisier.  Jarnac is
    also home to some of the excellent but less well known cognac houses.  

·        La Rochelle  (70 mins)
    capital of Charente Maritime, as well as being a major port and sailing
    centre.  In the Vieux Port (old harbour) area you will find many good bars,
    restaurants and sophisticated shopping in wonderful arcaded streets.  The
    underground car park at Place Verdun makes exploring the town on foot
    very easy.  There is also an aquarium and several museums to visit.

·        Matha  (10 mins)
    our nearest small town boasts three supermarkets, several banks, a thrice
    weekly covered market and a range of shops to cater for most needs. 
    There are also two restaurants, as well as tennis courts and a boules park.

·        Rochefort  (50 mins)
    a thermal spa town and old naval port.  The Corderie Royale (ropeworks)
    and naval dockyards were built by Louis XIV and the reconstruction of
    Hermione, Napoleon’s flagship are worth a visit.  Other places of interest
    include the Begonia Greenhouse, Le Jardin de Retors and the Station de
    Lagunage for wildlife.

  ·      Rouillac  (15 mins)
    home to Bisquit cognac located at Chateau de Ligneres.  There is a
    wonderful street market on the 27th of each month, selling everything
    including animals, food, wine, clothes, machinery, household items and
    much more.

·        Saintes  (35 mins)
    located on the banks of the Charente, it was the centre of Roman
    civilization for the area and also a stopping point for the pilgrims en route
    for Santiago de Compostella.  There remains a well-preserved
    amphitheatre, thermal baths and triumphal arch.  The cathedral and
    excellent, mainly pedestrianised shops provide something for everyone.

·        St Jean d'Angely  (25 mins)
    an attractive old town with cobbled streets and medieval buildings.  The
    unfinished, twin towers of the Abbey Royale make a striking landmark
    when approaching the town from the north. 

·        Local Markets
   Please ask for a list of market days in numerous towns and villages, plus
   other interesting places to visit.