local area
The region has an abundance of places of historic interest, renowned chateaux and vineyards dotted across the countryside. Towns such as Saumur, Fontevraud, Chinon, Richelieu, La Roche Posay and Poitiers are all full of charm and offer notable sightseeing possibilities to the visitor. Throughout the summer months particularly, but also throughout the year, there are plenty of cultural and musical events, leisure pursuits and sporting displays, fairs, markets and brocantes to explore and as well as cafés and restaurants to revive you.
Running through the immediate area is ‘La Ligne Verte’ a nature path for cycling or walking which follows a former railway line and takes in 37km of local scenery. Just outside the nearby village of Guesnes, in the heart of the Scevolles forest, is a 16 hectare recreational nature park with a large fishing lake, hiking trails, miniature golf and a games area with boules and archery. The perfect place to explore and enjoy before resting for a leisurely French style picnic.
Another local activity park is dedicated to watersports and has a 10 hectare lake for waterskiing, wakeboarding, water sledging, kayaking, pedalos and a manmade beach for sunbathing or beach volleyball games. St Hilaire country club with an 18 hole course is only 20 kms away and also offers swimming and fishing facilities as well as a club house and restaurant.
For horse lovers there are local stables and plenty of hacking paths throughout the scenic countryside and the Scevolles forest. Saumur is home to the Cadre Noir, the National School of Horsemanship, which stages magnificent displays and also holds national and international riding events. Race courses can be found in Saumur as well as La Roche Posay.
Futuroscope near Poitiers is a theme park which focuses on the world of animation and delivers interactive and educational attractions. Poitiers town centre offers an interesting historic quarter, Roman ruins, galleries, shopping and a large square alive with French café culture.
The following links provide insight and useful information on these and further attractions the region has to offer:
