PLACES TO VISIT

These are just a few examples of places to visit, either locally or for a day out:

Le Petit Chêne is a magnificent 18-hole golf course located just 5Kms away at Mazières-en-Gatine in the middle of the Valley of Thouet and is open to the public all year. The château offers a welcoming and informal family restaurant/bar and terrace for golfers and visitors.

Pescalis is Europe's largest inland fishing village, with 100 hectares (around 240 acres) of lakes and ponds. There are parks, an  aquarium, horse-riding and other activities.

Marais Poitevin or "Green Venice", is a beautiful conservation area of marshes, channels and waterways, through which the Sèvre Niortaise meanders. Packed with a wealth of flora and fauna, there are over 3,500 acres of wetlands with hundreds of canals. The area can be explored on foot, bicycle, canoe, punt or guided boat tours.

Plans d'eau - Deux-Sèvres has 17 plans d’eau, offering beaches, lakes for swimming, recreational games such as mini golf, fishing, picnic areas and restaurants. There is normally lifeguard supervision provided in season.  The nearest of these is just 10 minutes away.

La Valée des Singes - is a primate animal conservation park with over 350 roaming monkeys in 37 acres of lush green islands where the monkeys can move about in total freedom and come into direct contact with visitors.

Puy du Foy - is an adventure park with an historic theme where the past is brought to life with a medieval village, jousting knights, gladiators and musical shows performed on one of the world's largest stages.

La Rochelle - is an ancient walled city with the largest marina on the Atlantic Coast. There is a magnificent aquarium and many restaurants as well as a number of sandy beaches close by.

Cognac - is just one of the well-known medieval towns to visit.

Loire Valley - an abundance of vineyards and châteaux make an interesting day out, for example, Saumur and Chinon are both famous for their wines and châteaux.

Châteaux - There are many and varied châteaux within easy travelling distance including Château d’Oiron, Château de St Mesmin and Château du Coudray-Salbart, to name a few.