Within 30 minutes drive of the property are the following towns:

Cognac is most famous for it's distilleries (all provide tours during the Summer months) but it also has a great park (with a huge childrens playground) on the banks of the Charente river. Cognac also has a large cobbled pedestrian area with shops, cafes and restaurants from the river right up to the town centre.

St Savinien is also on the Charente and has a park with a famous boating lake where you can hire electric boats: each boat takes one adult and one child and every one is unique. Near to St Savinien is Chateau LaRoche-Corbonne (see photo) which is open daily during the summer months.

St. Jean D'Angely is a medieval town whose abbey towers dominate the skyline. St. Jean has a popular Saturday market and a good selection of restaurants as well as a great pub. There is also "Atlantis", a large indoor swimming complex with multiple leisure pools and a huge slide.

Saintes was originally a Roman settlement and is steeped in history. The roman ampitheatre holds free "spectacles" during the summer and there are Roman thermal baths nearby. Saintes has a large market and is a centre for boat trips up the Charente river. Some trips go to the wonderful "Moulin de Bains" restaurant; a picturesque 17th centuary mill which straddles the river (see photo above right).

Within about one hours drive is the Charente Maritime coast: La Rochelle, Isle d'Oleron, Isle de Ré, Royan, St. Georges de Didonne.

The zoo at La Palmyre (near Royan) has won many awards and is very popular with children of all ages.

The aquarium at La Rochelle is also very popular with young children.

The oysters of the area around Isle d'Oleron are world famous and remarkably inexpensive (see "local area" section.

The Marais de Poitevin near Coulon is a huge complex of woodland canals where you can take a Picnic and hire a punt for an adventure of exploration.

Angouleme is a historic town with a dramatic situation. The town is popular for it's many festivals (including a gourmet food festival, comic book festival and vintage car festival). There is also a good weekly market ad a popular chocolate factory nearby.

Futurascope, a theme park near Poitiers is about 1.5hrs drive.

Bordeaux, St.Emillion and the surrounding chateaux and vineyards are also about 1.5 hrs drive.

For further information about attractions and places to visit in Charente Maritime, please visit the Charente Maritime Tourism website.