ACTIVITIES
WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO GO
ACTIVITIES
THINGS TO DO
Uniquely situated in private surrounds, our villas provide easy access to well cultivated countryside and the culinary and cultural delights of the region.
​
Only a few minutes drive from neighbouring towns/villages offering plenty of amenities such as restaurants, cafe-bar, mini- supermarkets (Spar, Coop), butchers, bakers, pharmacy, petrol-station and hardware store
DINING
Within a short walk from the Villa you’ll find Deano’s Bar & Grill, and bar/restaurant at the golf club - La Bergerie du Golf.
​
OTHER RESTAURANTS
​
Le Relais Du Terrier
Address: 8 rue du Terrier, 79420 Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, France
Phone: +33 9 50 67 14 77 (15 minute driving distance)
Le Petit Zinc
34 Place du Vingt Cinq Aout, 79340 Vasles, France
+33 5 49 69 94 92 (10 minute driving distance)
Auberge La Buissoniere
Lieu Dit le Pault, 79340 Vasles, France
+33 5 49 69 95 41 (10 minute driving distance)
Le Montbeil
3 route de la Foret, 86470 Benassay, France
+33 5 49 45 26 12 (13 minute driving distance)
Restaurant a Fleur de Peau
1 Grand rue, 86470 Lavausseau, France
+33 5 49 50 51 41 (15 minute driving distance)
Chateau de Marconnay
Marconnay, Sanxay, France
+33 5 49 43 96 23 (10 minute driving distance)
Auberge des Voyageurs
79340, Menigoute, France
+33 5 49 69 13 66 (12 minute driving distance)
Le Donjon de Bois Pouvreau
Etang de Bois Pouvreau, 79340 Menigoute, France
+33 5 49 63 21 41 (15 minute driving distance)
​
WINE TASTING
Les Forges is situated between the vineyards of the Loire (approx 1.5hrs) and Cognac and Bordeaux. Nearest wine tasting is at Neuville de Poitou (30 mins) where you can sample awarded Haut Poitou wines.
​
LOCAL MARKETS
Rouille: market Friday (15km)
Vouille: market Saturday (19km)
Thenezay: market Sunday (20km)
Saint-Maixent-l'Ecole: market Saturday (20km)
Parthenay: market Wednesday all day (20km)
Poitiers: market Thursday, Friday, Saturday (28km)
KIDS ACTIVITIES
Plan d'eau Verruyes - Lake with a Sandy beach – 30 minute drive
Beach with playground for kids, canoe-kayak rental and a restaurant.
Futuroscope - Amusement Park– 45 minute drive
Get away to one of France’s most popular amusement parks and the only one of its kind in Europe! Set off on amazing journeys and dive headlong into the fantastic, fun and festive Futuroscope atmosphere!
La Vallée des Singes - Monkey Valley – 45 minute drive
A truly wonderful experience seeing monkeys and chimps almost in their natural habitat and not enclosed by fences. Superb range of the smallest to the largest monkeys on the planet. Bring your own picnic or eat at the restaurant.
​
Planète Crocodiles - Crocodile Park – 1 hour drive
French zoological and botanical park of 5000 m² that offers adults and kids the opportunity to discover animals, plants, and scenery from all countries where Crocodilians are present in their natural state.
Puy du Fou - Historic Fun Park – 1 hour and 30 minute drive
Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in Les Epesses in the heart of the Vendée region of Western France. The park brings more than 2 million visitors every year, making it the second most popular theme park in France after Disneyland Paris.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Tumulus of Bougon - Pre-historic monument – 21 minute drive
The Tumulus of Bougon (known also as the Necropolis of Bougon) is a group of barrows dating to the Neolithic period. The tumulus cemetery was re-discovered by archaeologists during the 19 th century, and was excavated over the years. Today, the Tumulus of Bourgon is open to the public, and a museum, which displays, amongst other things, the archaeological finds from the site, is located less than a kilometer from it.
Marais Poitevin - Natural reserve - 45 minute drive
Imagine that in the past long ago, the sea reached here…Behind its furrows, it left this marshy area that was to become the second largest wetland in France, after the Camargue. Use its waterways by boat to enter its lush greenery and discover the secret soul of the marsh.
The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe – 38 minute drive
The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe is a Roman Catholic church located in Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, in Poitou, France. The Romanesque church was begun in the mid-11th century and contains many beautiful 11th- and 12th-century muralswhich are still in a remarkable state of preservation. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Notre Dame de Grande – Poitiers (Vienne) Jewel of Poitiers – 40 minute drive
Aptly called the most beautiful Romanesque facade in the world , Notre Dame la Grande is the jewel of Poitiers. The 12th century façade has been restored so that the intricate sculptures display an exquisite example of Poitevin Romanesque Art.
Chauvigny - Medieval town with 5 Castles – 1 hour drive
A lovely place for a stroll, the upper town consists of charming narrow streets and beautiful buildings that are reminders of centuries past, including the magnificent 12th-century Romanesque collegiate church with magnificent carved capitals, and five fortified castles.
La Rochelle - Historic Coastal City – 1 hour and 15 minute drive
This coastal city is rightfully one of France’s favourite summer destinations, with a glorious old harbour defended by the Tour de la Chaîne and Tour Saint-Nicolas.
La Rochelle (Plage des Minimes) - Beach – 1 hour and 20 minute driveSandy urban beach with plenty of snack bars, cafes & restaurants. This beach is always worth to enjoy when you visit La Rochelle. The beach is well maintained with nice soft sand, safe bathing, and always plenty of room.
Cognac - Classic French History - 1 hour and 30 minute drive
The name cognac is synonymous the world over with the finest French spirit but the town of Cognac was an important trading port for salt and local wine long before the discovery of the double distillation process that produced the famous drink. Spend a day in Saintes to visit its outstanding Roman remains, see its elegant Renaissance town houses, and enjoy a river cruise on the Charente. And don’t miss Angoulême, home to the unique Comic Strip Museum.