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The Vienne is one of France's best kept secrets. It is second only to the Cote d'Azur for sunshine and is a totally unspoilt region. You can do as little or as much as you like during your holiday here. Scroll photos for links OUTDOORS The Montmorillonnais is know as "a territory of waters" and many outdoor activities are centered around the numerous rivers that criss-cross the country. Canoe/ kayaking There are a number of centers were you can enjoy canoeing and kayaking with both calm and white-water stretches. The nearest water sports centre is the Centers De Plein Air on the Gartempe at Lathus-St-Remy. A three star centre you can book individual and group sessions here. There are also centres at Moussac-sur-Vienne, Swimming We may be inland but there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor swimming. At Lathus, Moussac and Queaux you will even find sandy beaches laid out against the river banks! At Availles-Limouzine there is a picnic and play area against the river which is safe for swimming and an open swimming pool in the municipal park at Gouex. And, of course there are Montmorillon's own swimming pools, both inside and out with cafe facilities. Lac St Pardoux Just 45 minutes' drive away this beautiful spot offers bathing, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, canoeing, fishing, cycle hire, footpaths, and riding on 330 hectares of grounds. Around the lake there are paths for walkers and mountain biking, tennis, beach-volley ball and horse riding. Water-skiing/Sailing There are water-skiing, sailing and wind-surfing centres on the Vienne at Isle Jourdain and at the Centre de Plein Air on Lac de Chardes Golf The lovely Golf Du Haut Poitou course is just a 40 min drive from the house between Poitiers and Chatellerault. set around the lac de Saint-Cyr, it includes a wooded hillside area and plain with challenging water hazards. There is a nine hole course (Par 31, 1,800m) and an 18 one (Par 73, 6,590m). There is also an 80 tee driving range, including 18 covered bays, a target green with bunker and two putting greens. You can hire buggies and equipment as well as enjoy the club house with one gourmet and one quick service restaurant. The course is open all year round, excluding Christmas Day and New Year's Day. We can arrange transport and bookings in advance of your stay. Current rates are €30 pp for the 18-hole course in June, €50 in July and August. Reduced rates and special offers are available April-Sept. Fishing One of the most popular pursuits in the area. There are numerous opportunities for fishing on the Vienne and Gartempe rivers and local grade "A" trout streams . There are also a number of well-stocked fishing ponds. A variety of inexpensive fishing licences are available from the tackle shop in Montmorillon. Carp fishing is especially prevalent here with night fishing available at Availles-Limouzine. There is also Trout, Roach, Perch etc Hiking & Biking This is delightful area for walkers, whether you enjoy serious hiking or a gentle ramble after a good lunch. Areas of Outstanding Beauty include the Site of Hell Rock at Lathus which has been protected since 1991 because of the variety off the wildlife and flora. The wood of Chatille near Béthines is one two public access forests in Montmorillonnais and is noted for its rare or protected birds. There are eight well-sign posted formal hiking routes mapped out in the area details of which you'll find at the house. La forêt de Moulière (the forest of Moulière) is a wonderful place to visit. A 4,000 hectare preserved forest which houses a huge variety of flora and fauna, especially ancient oak trees, it offers opportunities to walk, ride or cycle its many designated paths. Within the forest is a visitor centre, built in 1991, with refreshments, information and exhibitions. For more info click here There are also a large number of designated cycles tracks through some of the most beautiful countryside nearby. Horse Riding There are equestrian centres at Montmorillon, Lathus and Availles-Limouzine with opportunities for pony trekking through the wonderful countryside around us. Abyssea Aquatic Center Abyssea, at Civaux a unique sports and recreation complex with a fully-equipped aquatic center, balneotherapy center, bowling, and swimming pool. The bowling centre has eight lanes, a snack bar, and a games area. Themed entertainment includes disco-bowling.
Open Tuesday: 5pm - midnight,
Wednesday 2 pm - 10h30pm,
Thursday 5pm - 1am,
Friday and Saturday
2pm - 2am,
Sunday and banks holidays Bungee Jumping Each Sunday during summer there is the opportunity to bungee jump from the 50 meter high former railway viaduct over the Vienne at Isle Jourdain. Micro-lighting And for the really adventurous you can learn to micro-light at the Centre National d'ULM de Montmorillon, just out of town on the D117 Motor Racing. As well as being able to attend race meeting the Val de Vienne race circuit at Le Vigeant offers opportunities to get behind the wheel of the new Formula Renault CAMPUS and other racing cars with a series of training programmes for individuals and groups. 4x4 Off Road You can enjoy a full and half day's 4x4 off-roading at the Centre Ouest Evasion at Beaupinières. Although we recommend you book this along with racing and micro lighting in advance of your trip. You'll find further information on the links page. Cinema There's a little cinema, Le majestic, in Montmorillon which is open Thursday - Sunday and Monday evenings. But, there's only one séance! and, most of the time, French spoken movies (which is an excellent way to learn the language) Calligraphy Learn Calligraphy at L’ Ecritoire which is situated just two minutes walk from Maison Calla. There Ker Eddin Adili not only demonstrates and teaches Egyptian calligraphy but also has a wide selection of hand-made papers, including ones of papyrus, specially mixed inks, writing quills and pens. The shop is open from 9am to 12noon and from 2pm to 7pm daily. Call 05 49 83 31 85 for more information PLACES TO VISIT Futuroscope The main tourist attraction of the area, Futuroscope, on the outskirts of Poitiers, offers a fascinating day out for all the family with over 20 attractions including 3D cinema, simulators, surround screens and 180º screens, water screens plus interactive games, shows, events and exclusive exhibitions. Open nearly all year (closed exceptionally 15th November to 4th February. l'Ile aux Serpents "Snake Island" at La Trimouille features 50 species of snakes, lizards, iguanas, aligators and other reptiles all housed imaginatively to assimilate their natural habitat. As well as the animals there are educational films and displays. Open all year Les Geants du Ciel "The Giants of the Sky". Fabulous bird of prey displays at Chauvigny are not to be missed, there are spectacular flying demonstration from a wide variety of birds from eagles to kestrels daily. Open April - November. La Vallee des Singes A wonderful park where you can wander amongst a huge number of different money species. 350 animals roam free in the park which is just south of Poitiers at Romagne. Open March-November La Parc Floral de la Belle Close by to La Valle des Singes, La Parc Floral de la Belle is a 6 hectare park and maison with a huge range of gardens, rare plant collections, ponds, woodland and wetland areas to explore. Multi-media displays and various exhibitions are also staged throughout the season. Open March-November. Vieux Cormenier Museum - Champniers Also close to La Valle des Singes this interactive museum charts the history of one family from, the early 1900's with 16 automated sets and lots of sound and visual effects. Translations in English and Spanish. Handicap accessible. For more info click here Open fFrom June to September: every day Bourg-Archambaul Chateau This 15th century château, a 10 min drive from Montmorillon, was built on the site of a Roman fortress of which only a fortified gateway remains. Protected by a large moat, the château consists of an enclosure wall flanked by two towers, a small fortified castle entrance, a lovely house and a chapel. Viewing is by prior appointment. Tel: 05 49 91 85 00 Juille Farm, Saulge The Juillé Farm is located 3 km from the centre of Saulgé, a village just outside Montmorillon. The farm buildings (beginning 19th, 20th C) are representative of rural architecture in the South of Vienne situated at the cross roads of northern and southern France. "La Ferme du Goût", in Montmorillon retraces 'Montomorrilonnais' rural life through gastronomy and local produce. Just 300 metres from the farm, the archaeological site of La Motte Charon is a feudal site which controlled the Gartempe Valley and defended Montmorillon during the Middle Ages. This deserted village is maintained as an eternal memorial to the 642 men, women and children murdered by the German SS in 1944. It is an incredibly moving and eerie place to visit but important. Open 1 February - 16 December. Cognac The medieval town of Cognac is well worth a day trip with its narrow medieval cobbled streets, gardens, the castle district, quay side and Cognac cellars. You can join a guided tour to learn about the process of making Cognac, take a barge or a small train and discover town and the surrounding area with its vineyards, distilleries and museums. La Rochelle A day at the seaside is always an option during your holiday here. La Rochelle is about a 2-and-a-half hour car journey. Famous for its old harbor and its three outstanding medieval towers.La Rochelle is a great place to visit with its lively quay side cafes, trendy bars and excellent restaurants. It is especially lively at the time of the international film festival and in mid-July,one of the country's top musical events is staged here - les Francofolies - during which French-speaking musicians and music-lovers from all over the world congregate. Angouleme On a hill with great views of the valley between the Charente and Anguienne rivers, Angouleme is surrounded by medieval ramparts. The Cathedral of St-Pierre is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Be sure to visit Le Centre National de la Bande Dessinee a museum dedicated to the art of the cartoon: works and original strips with 250,000 albums and magazines. Limoges A great day out. Limoge offers a great variety of things to do and see. Highlights of your trip should be The Cathedrale St-Etienne, Musee de la Resistance and the picturesque Rue de la Boucherie Saintes Located on the banks of the Charente river, this 2000 year old town was once the Roman capital of southwestern France. Here you can see one of the oldest remaining amphitheaters as well as Roman baths.
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Vienne Vacances 2007. E-mail: info@vienne-vacances.com