Saturday
Arrival after 4pm - pick up shopping from the local Intermarche and BBQ, or take a meal out at one of our local restaurants.
Sunday
Closer to home - Enjoy the market at Aulnay. Then visit Zoodesee, or the Poitou Donkeys. Wander through the Chateau at Dampierre sur Bouton, or the Romanesque churches at Melle. Stop off at the bar in the square at Aulnay, or the Bistro in Nere.
or
explore Niort, then visit the Maris Poitevin - you can hire a boat at Coulon or Damvix.
Monday
a trip to the coast - historic Rochefort - visit the replica ship Hermione, and the Musee des Cordeliers. Visit the historic Transborder bridge (unfortunately closed for repairs at the moment). Then drive to the beautiful coastal resort of Fouras. Or take a detour to Brouages, a Napoleanic coastal defence but now far inland, and walk around the historic ramparts.
or
Explore Saintes - see the Roman remains: the ampitheatre, and the triumphal Arch of Germanicus by the river. From near the Arch, you can take the petit train touristique to explore the town. Do some souvenir shopping in the pedestrianised streets.
Tuesday
Visit the zoo at La Palmyre, a TripAdvisor favourite and we think the best in France. Then pop down the Coast to Royan. If you have the time, also try to visit historic Talmont sur Gironde.
or
Head to Angouleme. Stop off at Rouillac along the way for lunch. At Angouleme, explore the high town and visit the Bande Dessinee museum (adult comic books).
Wednesday
Explore the morning market at Saint Jean D'Angely, followed by lunch in the market square - for a snack, we recommend Bar Tapas or the creperie de l'abbeye - located either sides of the market hall. Or take a picnic to Saint Savinien. Then perhaps some history? - tour the beautiful Chateau de la Roche Courbon or explore life around the year 1900 at the Musée Les Trésors de Lisette, both located near to Saint Savinien.
or
Stop at the Cafe Francais in the centre of historic Surgeres for brunch, taking time to visit the old ramparts. Then head to bustling la Rochelle. Book a boat trip to one of the Islands, or for a tour around Fort Boyard.
Thursday
Visit the historic sights of Saint Jean D'Angely, including the remains of the Royal Abbeye, the old cobbled streed and buildings, and the clock tower. Pop into the (free) museum, which contains artifacts of the first Citroen led expedition across the Sahara. After lunch in one of the many restaurants in the town centre, head to the boating lake or the Nautilus acqua centre. If you have the stamina, its only 30 minutes to Saintes for an evening stroll!
or
Visit historic Poitiers, the spend the rest of the day and evening at Futuroscope.
Friday
Wander the streets of Cognac, then take a tour of one of the Cognac houses - the Hennessey tour, located on the banks of the Charente, is a favourite, but the Remy Martin or Camus tours are also popular. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a boat trip on a Gabare (old barge). In the evening, wander to the much smaller Jarnac for a riverside walk and a glass of wine.
or
Head to the Islands - head to Oleron, the eponymous capital of the Island. Then on your return stop at Mornac Sur Seudre and rent a kayak. Having worked up an appetite stop at one of the many shacks for fresh Oysters or other seafood.