Quality holiday accommodation in the Poitou Charentes, France
Large 10 x 5m pool with roman steps
The Poitou-Charentes has so much to offer. Something for everyone of all ages, from walking to water-skiing, medieval castles to futuristic theme parks and not forgetting all the good food and drink.
The area has such a wide range of things to see and do that it would be impossible to mention them all here. So here are some of the highlights of the area.
The Deux-Sevres is part of the Poitou-Charentes region and located just South of the Loire Valley region. Therefore, within easy reach of many chateaux and the wine producing areas of Anjou and Touraine.
Boussais is centrally situated between Parthenay, Bressuire and Thouars. Each of the towns has retained charm and character with small cobbled streets, walled ramparts and medieval buildings giving a wonderful background to the weekly markets that buzz with a life of their own.
Parthenay is a small lively town with many cafes, restaurants and shops. It is a favourite of mine where you can wander through the cobbled streets lined with medieval half timbered houses. It is also home to many festivals and fairs throughout the year, starting with the Easter fair and parade and others which include a games fair in July when the streets are lined with 3000 hand games, in which you are invited to participate.
A 10 minute drive from us is the Lac du Cebron, where it is possible to do watersports, swim, or just enjoy a picnic in the open air. A little further afield are the swimming lakes at Moncontour, which has its own beaches with play areas and a lake view restaurant and bar. It is ideal for children and adults. Here you can hire pedaloes and canoes, or have a go a teleskiing on the lake.
From Easter to Late Autumn many of the villages and towns organise a fete. They bring the whole area alive and are well attended. There is usually a market, or car boot sale accompanied by many opportunities to eat and drink. They all offer something different from firework displays to comedians and parades.
Pictured left is one of the pretty colombage houses of St Loup Lamaire, near the chateau.
It is possible to do most sports in the local area. There is a tennis court in the village and there is a fishing lake in the next village, just 2 miles away. There is horse riding at Bressuire. There are open air swimming pools open in the summer at Airvault and Lac du Cebron and a leisure pool at St. Varent and Parthenay. Thirty minutes away is the Le Petit Chene Golf Course at Mazieres en Gatine. A beautiful 18 hole course set in the grounds of a chateau.
The Deux Sevres being just south of the Loire has a many of it's own chateaux, Le Chateau de Saint Loup has wonderful gardens and an orangerie which are open to the public and the magnificent Chateau d'Oiron in the north houses a large collection of modern art. Within 45 minutes you can be in the heart of the Loire Valley and experiencing the spectacular city of Saumur. Known as 'La perle d'Anjou' and with its bleached bourgeois houses is indeed one of the Loire's jewels. You can spend a day shopping beneath the slate roofed houses along the cobbled pedestrian streets at the base of the fortified chateau. Enjoy a relaxed lunch and include a boat trip on the river. You could, of course spend a day wine tasting at the many vineyards in the area. The Loire valley is home to some of the most magnificent chateaux in France. Many of these are within easy reach and includes Ussé the inspiration for Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty.
With two of France's most visited amusement parks at only 45 minutes away, Puy du Fou and Futuroscope are both well worth a visit.
The Poitou Charentes region is situated on the western coast of France. The border stretching from the Loire in the North to Bordeaux in the South. Within the Poitou Charentes lies the largely undiscovered department of the Deux Sevres, one of France's 'best kept secrets'. The capital of the Deux Sevres is Niort, a typical prosperous french town. Niort has good shops and a wonderful Crystal Palace style building sheltering an excellent market open every day except Sunday and Monday. Next to it stands the Donjon one of the most striking twin towered castle keeps in France. Just to the west of Niort are the wetlands of the Marais-Poitevin, known locally as Venise Verte ( Green Venice) it offers a maze of waterways and walking and cycle routes but it is best viewed from the water. It is possible to hire a boat, with or without an oarsman, to guide you through the picturesque villages of the area.
A little further afield but still easily accessible (90 minutes) is the coast and all it has to offer. I can highly reccomend La Rochelle, Europe's Largest Marina and the Ile de Re, both of which have wonderful beaches, restaurants and shops. Lots of stunning architecture, from the Hotel de Ville to the three towers that protect the harbour and that give wonderful views across the resort.
