The POITOU-CHARENTES offers a host of interesting places to visit and plenty of local features to explore at leisure. Steeped in history with many Romanesque churches and medieval buildings throughout the départment. To mention just a few:

The capital of Vienne, POITIERS, is just 50 minutes' drive away with a wonderful town centre and the 'Notre Dame' cathedral, which has recently been restored. Of course, the wonderful futuristic adventure park of 'Futuroscope' on the northern side (approximately one hour's drive); is a must and needs the whole day to explore all the exciting images and scientific features being offered. It is a major attraction for the area and is the only theme park of this nature in Europe, and will be thoroughly enjoyed by both adults and children.

The beautiful old port of LA ROCHELLE (two hours' away), with its superb seafood restaurants, promenades, cafés, aquarium and wonderful shopping centre, is well worth a day out. There is always something going on, brocante fairs, open-air theatre, etc. etc., and with the sea excursions during the summer season.

There are the brandy and pineau de Charente distilleries at COGNAC (one hour); Henessey and Martel both offer good visits and samples of their wares.

ROYAN is less than two hours' away; with a wonderful Sunday market (go early) and good shopping centre, again the promenades and seafood restaurants are excellent. There are miles of lovely sandy beaches to explore with the Côte Sauvage for naturists. St georges de Didionne and St Palais sur Mer close by offer more tourist/family beach area and ice cream parlours. There is also a zoo in this area, famous for its flamingos, which are quite stunning.

CONFOLENS has a fantastic folklore festival in Mid-August and is a very pretty little town set on the river Vienne. CHARROUX is quite delightful, with the 'Charlemagne's Tower', a 12th century abbey with guided visits available. The old wooden 'halle' in the square holds the weekly market and also has a 'concours hippique' on the last Sunday of August every year which is great fun, with more drinks tents than tote kiosks!

Coming closer to home, there are many small villages and hamlets to explore if you should feel the need to 'do' something. L'Isle Jourdain and Availles Limouzine are both on the river Vienne; St Martin L'Ars has an interesting chateau and man-made lake; Ruffec and Chef Boutonne which has a lovely tourist office in the shape of a chateau, the 'Chateau de Javerzay'. The monkey farm where you can see all varieties of monkey in natural habitat, the ostrich farm and Chateau Epanvilliers are all within a few minutes' drive and well worth a visit. More information and various brochures are at the house and there is also a book containing information about restaurants with comments.