Relax and feel at home:
You will soon feel at home here, away from the stresses. Go for relaxing country walks in the woods and sunflower fields, straight from your home. A horse riding school is only 10 km away. Kayaking down sleeping rivers within a 20 min drive. The superb 10 x 5 metre swimming pool (1.2- 1.8 m deep) with Roman steps, uses the “salt water/ electrolysis” cleaning system - no worries about heavy chlorine stinging the eyes. The pool has floodlights as well as garden lighting creates a magical ambiance for evening swimming. Also enjoy the solar shower, heated by the sun. There is a rigid metal fence (1.25m high) around the pool with a lockable gate so it is completely safe for young children wandering around.
Local area:
We are only 2 km from the 12th C village of Ronsenac and across the square is a small cafe, with a view of the square with the old 12th Century church and priory. At the end of the village, tennis courts can be hired (from the Mairie). There is a great adventure playground for children, with sand and climbing area. The locals come and play boules here in the summer evenings.
The tourist office in Villebois-Lavalette, medieval town (about 5 km away with large supermarket & shops, banks, chemists etc) offers all sorts of information on the area, as well as sports activities for people to get involved in. These include horse riding, guided walks, VTT (mountain biking), hand-gliding, rock-climbing, swimming, tennis. There is always a multitude of cultural activities around in the summer months, and these are well advertised in the various villages, newspapers and at the tourist office. We have put together an information brochure which tells you where to go and how far it is.
Other activities:
GOLF: There is a golf course around 18 km away, 18 holes at Pillac with bunkers and obstacles, and also another at Angouleme. Full details available.
FISHING: fresh river trout, is available around 20 mins away at les Sources de la Touvre, where you can pay per half day and take the fish home you catch. Also, available in the local lakes in Vendoire in the peat bog nature reserve. Full details from the owners.
HORSERIDING: horses can be hired out for hacks and lessons given at a local riding school about 20 mins away.
SAILING AND WINDSURFING: at the aqua resort in Angouleme, lots of water sports, children's activities - as well as an indoor ice rink and aqua splash area with flumes and rides.
CHILDREN: Not to be missed POITIERS FUTOROSCOPE (as good as Disneyland in my opinion), VALLEY OF THE MONKEYS fantastic and LA PALMYRE ZOO (one of the biggest in France) are all within driving distance (about 1.5 to 2 hours away) . Locally can visit a goat farm and buy farm food direct.
Other Activities:
Futoroscope Poitiers, Monkey safari park, chateaux, distilleries Cognac, historic villages, prehistoric caves