24/06/2021
THINGS TO DO
SWIMMING
Nautilus – Angouleme – Water Park
Nautilus, Le Fontasier, Rue des Mesniers, 16170 Saint-Yriex-sur-Charente Telephone - 0545 95 50 00
This is partly outdoors and an indoor complex so you can go even when the weather is not great. No shorts allowed though gents – only swim trunks for the indoor part. There are also man-made beaches around a lake, with a park at the same site where you can wear what you like .
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More man made beaches around a lake, with water sports and childrens play areas locally, at MASSIGNAC –
English Bar – Le Soleil Couchant – serves food all day.
Plan d’Eau, Verneuil, MASSIGNAC, 16310,
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PIEGUT-PLUVIERS – very large outdoor market every Wednesday Morning til 12 noon. Everything from food & clothes, plants to ducks. Very busy during the summer months
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La Vallee des Singes – Valley of the Monkeys
Le Gureau, 86700, ROMAGNE - Tel – 05 49 87 20 20
Fabulous Family Day Out. (approx 1 hour 20 drive North)
A unique animal park where over 30 different species, from Gibbons & Gorillas to Lemurs and Marmosets roam freely through the grounds. There is also a small animal zoo and conservation areas, childrens playgrounds and food outlets for all tastes and budgets. Or you can take a picnic.
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GOLF
ST JUNIEN – 20 minutes drive East
The 18 hole Golf Course meanders through the rolling hills of the Limoges area. This peaceful setting with its interesting stretches of water, impeccable greens and difficult slopes still challenges golfers of all skill levels
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AVENTURE PARC – LACS DE HAUTE CHARENTE –
MASSIGNAC
ADVENTURE PARK OFFERING VARIOUS OUTOOR ACTIVITES FOR
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES – INCLUDING ROPE SLIDES, ROPE
BRIDGES, BUNGEE JUMPING.
Open Weekends (1.30pm – 6pm only)
from Easter to end of June - Then
Daily – from July 1st to 23rd August - (10am to 7pm)
Then weekends (afternoons) til mid September
WEBSITE – http://www.aventure-
parc.fr/lachautecharente/
Approx 5 minutes drive
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Horse back riding / pony trekking.
There are a couple of places nearby – one on the road from Massignac to Chabanais, the other on the road to Montbron.
ORADOUR SUR GLANE
The 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich destroyed the French village of Oradour during WW2 killing 642 men, women and children and today it is preserved exactly as it was left by the Germans. On the 10th June a service takes place every year in total silence to remember. The accompanying museum provides a historic context to what happened at Oradour complete with first hand accounts, maps, photographs and findings from the site. The village and exhibition are open all year round. Entry is approx 7 Euros.
25 minutes drive towards Limoges
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COGNAC – BEAUTIFUL OLD TOWN WITH RIVER – 1.5 HOURS DRIVE WEST
DISTILLERIES INCLUDING WORLD FAMOUS HENNESEY AND MARTELL -
Visit the distilleries and taste as you go. Check tours are in English. A great one is BARON OTARD which is inside an historic chateau. Entry from 20 euros which includes tasters of Cognac.
MUSEE DES ARTS DE COGNAC – Les Remparts,Place de la Salles Verte, Cognac, www.musees-cognac.fr Tel – 0545 362 110
Located in a 16th century townhouse, takes visitors on a multi sensory journey through the history of cognac making.
Plus the surrounding area is full of Cognac vineyards to visit.
LIMOGES (45 minutes to centre)
Limoges is mainly known for its fine porcelain and enamel trade and the town has several museums and galleries dedicated to these industries. These, combined with the Gothic cathedral, beautiful buildings of the ‘old town’ otherwise known as the Butchers Quarter and impressive train station, and of course shopping, make Limoges worth a visit.
An evening visit is also worthwhile, as there is a cosmopolitan feel to the city centre, with many bars and pavements cafes, and a wide choice of restaurants.
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WATER SPORTS - Kayaking, Canoeing, Sailing, Wind Surfing
Water Sports are available in several places during the summer months – on the River Vienne at Exedeuil and at Confolens. Also at the Lacs de Haute Charente where there is a sailing school – Bas Nautique.
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The Gallo-Roman Thermal Baths at Chassenon
The ancient name of the village was Cassinomagus. This Gallo-Roman town lay on about 300 hectares and include a sanctuary of about 25 hectares. This sanctuary consisted of several monuments: a big temple, two small ones, a theatre (amphitheatre ?), and thermal baths. The baths, which are very well preserved, can be visited. (20 minutes drive)
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BRANTOME
A beautiful town about 1 hour south – fabulous buildings from several centuries, surrounding an Abbey and Caves which can be visited. The old town is on an island and is known as the Venice of the Dordogne. You can hire canoes, have lunch in one of the many street cafes, shop in the little specialist gift shops or just chill with a cold beer and watch the world go by. http://www.northofthedordogne.com/brantome.php
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CHATEAU LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Early in the 11th century, the son of Fucaldus built a square keep, still identifiable at the heart of the present site. Over the centuries more and more has been added. The grand staircase design was by Leonardo da Vinci. One wing remains a family home to this day and much of the rest is
open to the public. Guided tours in English, of the libraries and rooms are sometimes available, and there are costumes for children and adults to wear during their exploration of the rest of the public areas, which include several furnished rooms, and some of the foundations within the rock.
Also at LA ROCHFOUCAULD
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Saturday Morning Market - Elegant ‘Old Quarter’ with ‘Maison Bourgeoise’ – Carmelite cloister - Lovely thirteenth century church - Pottery museum – Prehistoric museum (always a favourite with the children) - Pretty and well cared for municipal gardens – several fabulous ‘Chocolatiers’ and Chocolaterie Letuffe – where demonstrations and tastings are available
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Les Grottes du Queroy – The Caves of Queroy (1 hour West)
Discovered in 1895 – the caves stretch 800m through 30 different chambers. Set in a country park a few km south of Angouleme. Open April to June, and September to October – Sundays and holidays only – 2pm – 6pm. July and August – daily 11am to 7pm
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Verteuil – sur – Charente
A beautiful medi-eval town with fabulous chateau about 50 minuted drive north.
CHASSENEUIL SUR BONNIERE
The memorial to the resistance fighters of the WW2 – approx. 15 minutes away.
TEN PIN BOWLING – a two lane bowling alley with cafeteria and bar. They speak English. Located at BUSSEROLES about 20 minutes away.
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GO-KARTING – on the road to La Rochefoucauld – approx. 15 minutes.
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LADIES – for a treat – there is a lovely health and well being shop in Rochechouart where you can pamper yourself for a while – manicures, waxing, massage – ask us for details or to arrange an appointment.
THERE IS ALWAYS LOTS GOING ON LOCALLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS – FROM VILLAGE FETES AND MEALS, TO MUSIC FESTIVALS AND VIDE-GRENIERS ( similar to a car boot sale) – just ask Susan or Paul if there is anything on when you are here.
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PLACES TO EAT
CAMPING DE L'ETANG 16310 Le Lindois France Tél.: 0545 65 02 67 (10 mins) – evenings only. Great BBQ outdoors in the summer. English spoken
Restaurant Golf de la Preze – 0545 223554 – lovely restaurant overlooking the golf course with sunny terrace – good value meals. Lunch only except Summer. English Spoken.
LE VIEUX MOULIN, Chabanais ( 15 minutes) A lovely up market restaurant for a special treat.
LA DOMAINE DES ETANGS (Massignac 5 minutes)
If you want to push the boat out and experience Michelin Star food and service this is only 5 minutes away.
There is also a small French bar in MASSIGNAC that serves a good four course lunch for about 13 euros.
SUPERMARKETS
Super U – Chabanais – follow Sat Nav to Chabanais, and take the N141 heading for Limoges. Super U and petrol is after a roundabout on left.
Intermarche – Montbron – Head to Montbron Centre Ville, and then follow signs for Piegut. Supermarket and petrol are on your right.
E.LeClerc – La Rochefoucauld – follow sat nav into La Rochefoucauld. When you get to traffic lights turn right onto the main road N141 – and head for Limoges. Turn right at a roundabout and Supermarket will be on your left a little way along the road.
SPAR – Montemboeuf – small shop for emergencies – closest to the fishery – head to the centre of Montemboeuf and the Spar is on the right hand side in the church square.
Village Shop and Tabac – Massignac – for small amounts of shopping and emergencies the closest shop is in Massignac – it sells some fresh goods, wines, general groceries and ci******es. There is also a Bakers and Chemist, and a small Tourist Information Office in Massignac
Brantome and Brantome Abbey: highlights and attractions including the troglodyte caves and 'Wall of Judgement'.
