Golf facilities:
From the terrace at L'Etang you can see the red roofs of Le Manoir de Longeveau across the fields. It's about a 5 minute drive. This is an English run country club with a 9 hole golf course with regular competitions, 3 hard tennis course (coaching available), and a lively social calendar of barbecues, events & concerts throughout the summer, open to non-members, at their delightful outdoor terrace & newly refurbished stylish bar/restaurant with panoramic views. Definitely worth a visit or two!
There are 18 hole golf courses at Angouleme (45kms) and Périgueux (50kms) and further afield at Cognac, Royan & Bordeaux.
FOR KIDDIES there is mini golf at St. Severin, just 1km from the house L'Etang.
“We have all fallen in love with this BEAUTIFUL house & have had a FANTASTIC holiday.' Visitors' book 12.08.05
“Beautiful! A great place to stay. It’s worth it. Sunsets are GORGEOUS and landscape AMAZING!” 27.8.06
'We had a GREAT holiday & you have a LOVELY house' Mr. SH by email 12.10.09
Tennis, horse riding & other activities :
Nearest tennis court is at St. Séverin (1km) & there are 3 tennis courts at Le Manoir de Longeveau (3kms) & more at Aubeterre (6kms) in a riverside setting.
There is a safe & sandy river beach at Aubeterre with kiddies playground. In summer there is jousting on the river. Or you can take a lazy canoe trip downriver, be collected & brought back to your car.
Horse riding is available just outside Aubeterre & at Bonnes (about 8kms).
At L'Etang, you're on the borders of the Dordogne dept., so it's an easy drive to all the sites & attractions of this famous area of France - châteaux, caves, bastide towns & medieval villages in the area from Bergerac to Sarlat.
In the other direction are the great vineyards of Bordeaux & Cognac, with tastings galore. St. Emilion (a UNESCO world heritage site) is another must see.
The sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast (around Royan) are about 90 mins drive - another great day out.
Or you may just prefer to chill out under a shady tree.....
Aubeterre (6kms) listed medieval hillside village:
Aubeterre is a superb listed medieval hillside village, with a river beach with kiddies play ground, there are winding streets with small craft shops & galleries & a gorgeous shady square in which to idle over a few drinks or a lazy lunch or dinner, or browse at the Sunday market. It's one of my favourite places to linger........In summer there are all sorts of concerts & events in the square or down by the river, including river jousting! Canoeing is available on the river in Aubeterre & horse riding is about 1km outside Aubeterre. There are also many historic buildings including the 11th century monolithic church. Aubeterre has a wonderful character all of its own. You have to go & see for yourself. Recent celebrity sightings in Aubeterre include Rolf Harris, Ken Livingstone & actors from 'East Enders' one of whom had a restaurant in the square in Aubeterre until quite recently.
“We have all fallen in love with this beautiful house & have had a fantastic holiday here.' 12.08.05
Other Activities:
Aubeterre (listed village), river beach, craft shops, markets, country club, golf, tennis, horse riding, canoeing, cinema, concerts, good restaurants
