Here is a list of ideas of activities to do in the area-
Markets–
Aulnay- Thursday and Sunday morning
Saint Jean D’Angely- Saturday and Wednesday mornings
Swimming and fishing lakes
“Les Gours plan d’eau/ lac” is a countryside lake, 22 minutes away. It’s a place to chill on a hot day when you don’t want to go as far as the coast.
https://goo.gl/maps/XyYqxnwdbt2Ur14FA
There is a beach on one side, with lifeguards in the high season and a small restaurant on the other side. In summer they do a great very reasonably priced lunch with all you can eat buffet starter, main course, dessert, coffee and glass of wine-
https://www.facebook.com/L%C3%A9tang-des-Gours-restaurant-2395409740741283/
There are barbecues and table tennis tables for your use. You can fish the lake if you purchase a fishing permit.
Thors lac near Matha has a restaurant, pedal boots and a walk around.
https://www.google.fr/maps/search/thors+restaurant/@45.8358197,-0.3111165,17.75z
There are some good lakes around. The Charente lakes area is stunning, a bit like the Lake district in the UK. 1.5-2 hours drive will bring you to the nearest lakes. https://www.google.fr/maps/place/Lac+de+Saint-Pardoux/@46.0385022,1.2733159,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x47f94d7095845571:0xf71197d8e5cd5e85!8m2!3d46.0323849!4d1.2893311
This is a lovely one not too far from Limoges airport, that you could visit on arrival or departure or as a trip out.
River walks- Again near Limoges airport- we go after we land for a post travel treat – https://www.saint-junien.fr/decouvrir/espaces-naturels/site-corot-vallee-de-glane/
There are many walks along the Charente river such as in Jarnac and Cognac.
“Venice Verte”- This is a marshland area- literally “green Venice”, where in days gone by, they drained the water into waterways which would have been used to transport goods. These days, it is lovely to take a gondola and get punted along, hire a boat, cycle or walk along the tow paths. There are special pulley boats that you can use to cross to the other side. The area is so unspoilt, with small fields stocked with the local horned cattle, followed by egrets and you may see storks and the hairy Poitou donkeys too.
Statue park “Les Lapidiales” and Port d’Envaux.
This is an amazing place, where you can visit caves that have had many statues carved out. It is thought provoking and atmospheric, and awesome what people can do with rock! Afterwards, head to the nearby river in Port D’Envaux for a dip, walk or hire a boat. There’s usually a great food truck here too for an important glass of chilled wine and maybe a locally made Angelys ice cream or some oysters..?
Les Lapidiales- https://www.lapidiales.org/
45.8343658,-0.6937228
Port d’Envaux- https://goo.gl/maps/GC7BjWqJWUPqTT6X8
Heritage
This is a link to the chateau which you can visit- https://www.chateau-dampierre.com/
Aulnay church is well worth a visit. There are many beautiful ancient churches in the area that are worth visiting.
Sports–
Cycling–
The area is perfect for easy cycling with flat tracks through vineyards and woods, sleepy hamlets, and along rivers and lakes. There are also opportunities for mountain biking if that’s what you prefer. A trip to the coast is a cyclists paradise with many kilometers of purpose built tracks running along the coast, and across to the islands of Ile de Ré, Ile d’Oleron, Ile d’Aix, (Ile d’Aix is a car free island) all very worthy of a visit in themselves.
You can take your bikes over on the ferry to the Gironde peninsula from Royan. It is free for the bike and under €3.00 for an adult each way. The bicycle tracks and beaches over there are lovely also. –
https://www.bernezac.com/passages_eau_royan_verdon_uk.html
Kayaking- there are many rivers and lakes that are great to kayak on. This is one of our passions, so we’d be happy to advise you where to go. Favourite trips of ours are on the river Charente in Jarnac, and the run from Condac (stunning picnic spot) to the chateau in Verteuil. We can help you organize your days out.
https://www.cognaccanoeclub.com/horaires-et-tarifs
Walking and running
There are many beautiful country walks in the area. We will provide maps and guide you to the best ones.
Nearest beaches– 1 hour (Fouras); Saint Palais sur Mer- 1 hr 10; Ile de Ré- 1hr25, Châtelaillon Plage- 1 hr 03
Islands-
Ile d’Aix- A foot ferry runs between Fouras (1 hour) and the island. It is like going back in time. A footpath circumnavigates the island and brings you to the delightful beaches.
http://www.service-maritime-iledaix.com/cruises-fouras-aix.php
Ile D’Oleron- A beautiful island with colourful cabins, long sandy beaches and cycle paths. Great for surfing. The bridge is currently free.
Ile De Ré- famous island with lots of character, beautiful harbours and beaches and cycle paths. Great for surfing or just playing in the waves. The bridge has a toll-
https://la.charente-maritime.fr/routes-transports/tarifs-pont-re/tarifs-dun-aller-retour
But it is free to cycle over if you are feeling active. There is a track all the way over the bridge and the view is great. You can hire bikes very cheaply on the mainland side-
https://yelo.agglo-larochelle.fr/services/libre-service-velos/
These can also be hired in La Rochelle
Towns to visit–
Aulnay 10 mins- huge 14 c church- on the “Santiago de Compostela way”, outdoor pool, cinema.
Cognac (44 mins)this park is a good place to visit for families- https://www.basepleinair-cognac.fr/
You can visit the Cognac houses and maybe a visit to a Cognac museum- https://les-distillateurs-culturels.fr/
There is an annual music festival here in July and they have well known musicians and bands such as Sting, James Blunt, Santana, and this year “Simple Minds” and Ben Harper.-
Saint Jean D’Angely – (15 mins)- old timber framed buildings, lake with walks along river, children’s play park (beside the lake), restaurants etc
Saintes (47 mins)- all with ancient buildings, lovely parks and rivers
Angouleme- 1hr7- Hilltop city famous for cartoons, graffiti art and the amazing vintage car race around the ramparts of the city. It’s well worth a visit to look at the graffiti art, viti the old town, parks and river. The views across the countryside from the top are stunning.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_des_Remparts
Restaurants
Our favourites-
Saint Jean D’Angely- https://www.restaurant-le-scorlion.fr/ wonderful food, great service. They will cater to special needs diets too if you warn them in advance. Lunch is the cheaper option as with many French restaurants.
Luxé- https://auberge-cheval-blanc.com/ well worth booking for a sumptuous lunch with unlimited wine, an amazing cheese board, great service and delicious food and having a walk along the river before and/or after. –
https://goo.gl/maps/YEmeg6mNtjrwXY3J6
Attractions for children–
Farm activity park with innovative imaginative games and toys for all ages, plus rescued animals and café- (15 minutes)
https://la-ferme-des-marronnier.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Chizé wildlife park- ( 6 mins) http://www.zoodyssee.fr/
Donkey rescue and breeding centre and park with open days- a lovely day out- (9 mins)- http://www.asineriedubaudet.fr/
St Jean D’Angely- (15 minutes)large pool with slides.https://atlantys.e-monsite.com/
Accrobranche park- for amazing adventures in the trees https://www.vertigoparc.com/
Monkey world- http://www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr/ 1 hour
Futuroscope theme park- https://en.futuroscope.com/ 1 hr14
Indoor water park- 1hr09- https://www.lesantillesdejonzac.com/
Zoo by the sea- http://www.zoo-palmyre.fr/en/zoo/links 1hr 25
Aquarium in La Rochelle- https://www.aquarium-larochelle.com/en/home/
“Puy de Fou” is 2 hours away but people come from all over France to visit this never to be forgotten theme park-
Vineyards to visit where you get a tour and samples!–
http://le-grand-lopin.com/ 9 minutes. Delicious low sulphur wine.- better for avoiding or lessening the “geule de bois” – wooden mouth or hangover!
https://angelique9183.wixsite.com/chante-alouette17160/Wines 17 minutes. Their organic sparkling champagne style wine is lovely
Festivals–
Flower festival and gourmet food festival in Aulnay
Mediaeval festival in Dampierre. https://www.chateaudampierre.fr/
Wine fair in Beauvais sur Matha (20 minutes but make sure you enlist a designated driver before you leave!) in May (plus many other wine fairs)
There is an annual music festival in Cognac in July and they have well known musicians and bands such as Sting, James Blunt, Santana, and this year “Simple Minds” and Ben Harper.-
Brocantes from March to October. (Like car boot sales but better!)