THINGS TO DO AND SEE
The Charente-Maritime area of France has an abundance of things to do and see. Whether you want an action packed holiday or just to take in the beautiful sites (smells and tastes!) we have it all.
The gites are situated 1.5km from the village of Soubran. Soubran has a baker, bar/tabac/restaurant, post office, library, school and a small nature reserve. The market town of Mirambeau is 7 km away and has a supermarket, several shops including a baker, butcher, pharmacy, hairdresser, bank, a couple of bars and restaurants and a lovely chateau which is a 4 star hotel and restaurant. Within a 30 minute drive from the gites are several other pretty towns well worth a visit including JONZAC with its beautiful chateau and famous thermal spa, the old roman town of SAINTES with many historical sites, PONS with its medieval donjon and MONTENDRE and MONTGUYON with their castles.
Apart from just relaxing at La Dominque & La Fleur ( and it is very peaceful ) there are lots of things to do and see in the area:
Beaches - The nearest beaches are about 40 minutes up the coast at Meschers - these are small coves with safe, sandy beaches. Five minutes further on are the enormous beaches of St.Georges de Didonne and Royan, both with full safety patrols, lots of space & some watersports. If you don't want to travel to the beach we have 3 wonderful lakes each within a 20-30 min drive where you are able to swim, canoe, sail or just sun bathe.
Walking - Great walks from the door, or borrow our ramblers maps and explore the local tracks and footpaths.
Golf - Good courses at Saintes, Royan & Cognac and Bordeaux.
Fishing - There is a private fishing lake within walking distance. Good sea and river fishing can also be found locally.
Tennis - Mirambeau has several good tennis courts.
Wildlife - This area is a bird-watchers paradise with unusual birds in abundance as well as hedgerows and verges full of wild flowers long disappeared from Britain.
Other outdoor activities available locally include caneoing, sailing, surfing, cycling and karting.
PLACES TO VISIT :-
COGNAC - Several well-known cognac houses are open to the public & give guided tours around their distilleries. The town of Cognac itself also merits a trip !
ST. EMILLION - An extremely picturesque town, the home of excellent red wine. There are guided tours of a different chateau each day during the summer, by road-train.
BLAYE - An old garrison town with a wonderful citadel - well worth a visit.
BOURG - An interesting little town a bit further up the estuary from Blaye. Capital of the Cotes de Bourg appellation.
SAINTES - Roman city on the Charente river, complete with amphitheatre and Roman remains. Beautiful abbey and churches as well as some good shops.
ROYAN - Lovely beaches, interesting yacht harbour. It has an interesting cathedral built by the Americans to replace the one bombed during WW2. Good indoor food market. A smart seaside town.
TALMONT - A very pretty estuary village with an interesting ancient church.
LA PALMYRE - Renowned for its zoo, reputed to be the finest in Europe (a great day out for adults as well as children). The beaches in this area are magnificent, mainly nature reserves and very wild. Also, visit the Phare de Coubre (lighthouse) and, if you're fit, climb it's 300 steps for a breathtaking view.
MARENNES - This is the home of the oyster and mussel industry - a fascinating area especially if you like seafood.
ILE D'OLERON - Cross to this island on a magnificent bridge. The island has beautiful beaches & an interesting citadel.
LA ROCHELLE - Very pretty harbour town (one of the most famous in France). Well worth a visit - many good shops and restaurants. A sea food lovers paradise. From here you can also take the toll bridge over to the beautiful and chic Ile de Re
BORDEAUX - An really impressive city with excellent shops and restaurants and possibly the world's most important wine centre. A new park and ride tram-line (only 45 mins drive from the gites) takes you directly into the city from the outskirts, avoiding the traffic!
THE MEDOC - Known as land of hospitality for centuries, this wine country, which is perhaps the most famous in the world, invites you to visit its cellars (there are some 400 wine producers in this small area alone) and its beaches on the ocean.
ARCHACHON & DUNE DU PYLA - Archachon is a lovely beach resort and is also a very famous oyster growing region. The Dune du Pyla is Europes highest sand dune. You are able to climb the steps to the top - the views are truly breathtaking.
The list of things to do and interesting places to visit is endless...............and at the end of each day, return to your gite, cool off in the pool and then relax in the garden with a bottle of local wine while soaking up the warm sunshine and the tranquil atmosphere. Paradise!
