Thing to do and places to visit:
For active families, there are lots of ways to spend the day. Take a riverboat trip along the Charente, visit the chocolate factory, the paper mill, prehistoric grottos or the comic museum in Angouleme. Palmyre has one of the best zoos in Europe. Futuroscope at Poitiers is certainly worth the drive and there are several indoor and outdoor water parks which are great fun for both adults and children. The Dordogne is a short drive away with its beautiful towns of Aubeterre, Perigeux and Brantome or go north west to La Rochelle with its old port and yachting marina where eating out or shopping is an absolute pleasure. The Charente also has an endless variety of sporting activities on offer; golf, hot-air ballooning, cycling, horse riding, quad biking, aqua-jet skiing, angling, canoeing, karting, ten-pin bowling or just country walking. There are of course some wonderful old churches and Renaissance or classical castles and country houses to enjoy. There is something for everyone!
'The Vignoble Trail':
The south-west region is renowned for its many cognac and wine producers, such as Remy Martin, Hennessy, Courvoisier, St.Emillion, Bergerac and Blaye. All welcome visitors and offer tours and tastings. Follow the 'Vignoble Trail around some of these world famous producers tasting the odd glass or two as you go!
Golf:
If golf is your game, there are excellent courses at Cognac and Angouleme, both only around half an hour away and others at Royan and down into the Dordoge.
Other Activities:
Hot-air ballooning, Aqua-jet skiing, Quad biking, Ten-pin bowling
