Location and local facilities:
Situated in the Charente, the property is 5km from the market town of Chabanais and equidistant between Angouleme and Limoges. With a wealth of farm lanes you can walk or cycle 'off road' for miles in all directions.
Chabanais is a short drive away along quiet lanes and offers a good selection of food shops, two pharmacies , post office, banks with cash machines and a supermarket on the Limoges side of the town. There are two good family friendly restaurants, which have been tried and tested by our previous guests. The tourist office by the bridge over the river Vienne is extremely well equipped with information about local activities and events and the staff both friendly and helpful. You can catch the train hourly into Angouleme or Limoges.
The nearest airports are Limoges, 35 minutes drive and Poitiers, 80 minutes drive, both served by Ryan Air with flights from Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool and by BMI from Southampton to Limoges.
Local activities :
With the sandy lake beaches an easy 10 minute drive away, or for the more energetic, a 30 minute undulating bike ride along idyllic country lanes, and the fabulous river Vienne just 2kms downhill in Exideuil, there is a wide range of water sports on offer. The lakes are a lovely family destination with clean sandy beaches, protected swimming areas, cafe and restaurant, good toilet facilities and a water sports centre where pedalos, sailing, canoeing and windsurfing equipment and/or tuition can be hired. Cycle hire is also available here and there is also a well-organised riding school adjacent. At Exideuil, you can hire canoes or rafts to explore the river Vienne. To exhaust the younger members of your group, take them to the Velo-rail and cycle the converted rail trucks from Roumazieres-Loubert down the rail track as far as Confolens and back. There are picnic shelters en route and if the whole route is too far, don't worry you can opt for the shorter trip to Manot and back.
Local events:
For motor enthusiasts then a visit in September to the annual 'Circuit des Remparts' is recommended. Watch an amazing range of cars from Bugatti's of the early 1900's to classic Porsches to modern classics hurtling around the race circuit in front of the city's ancient cathedral, a truly fabulous day out.
In July, the Chateau de Peyrac is a great evenings entertainment, join in the revelry of a medieval banquet, and then sit back to enjoy a truly swashbuckling re-enactment. A good test for your french and fantastic fun.
This region is full of reminders of the Second World War, and is notorious for its strong resistance movement, the village of Oradour sur Glane towards Limoges is a poignant memorial to the tragedy of war. and well worth a visit.
Golf:
Nearest golf course is at St Junien, a 20 minute drive towards Limoges.
Other Activities:
canoeing, river rafting.
marks the location of the property in Poitou-Charentes
