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Surrounding Area: The Charente Maritime region enjoys a ‘micro-climate’ with temperatures similar to those of the south coast of France and has something of interest for everyone. Historical towns, nature reserves, shops, beaches, forts are all here to be discovered and enjoyed.
Villeneuve la Comtesse is a large village with local facilities including a Co-op mini market, boulangerie, post office, church, medical services and a pharmacy. Surrounded by open countryside there are many tracks to walk or cycle. If you prefer to swim, the village of Loulay (5mins) has a very good outdoor pool which is open during the summer months.
lThe nearest town is St Jean d’Angely (20 mins) which has supermarkets, restaurants, bars and a leisure centre with large indoor swimming pool. There is also a market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
To the south is the historical town of Saintes (45mins) where you can walk in the park alongside the River Charente, visit the Roman Arena or just wander along the pedestrianised area with its pavement cafés and many individual shops.
Cognac(45 minutes) has several noted distilleries which offer interesting English speaking guided tours. The town centre has cobbled streets and a good range of individual shops and restaurants.
Chatelaillon Plage (40 mins) has 3km of sandy beaches to enjoy, or visit the Marais d'Yves National Nature Reserve which covers nearly 500 acres along the migration routes of Europe, with dunes and marshes where different species of birds can be seen in season.
La Rochelle, (45mins) a lively place by day or night which has something for everyone, harbour side restaurants, parks, shops, museums and an aquarium. Boat trips are available from the harbour to the Ile de Re, Ile d’Oleron or the smallest island on the Atlantic Coast, the Ile d’Aix which was Napoleon’s last home before he was sent to St Helena in 1815. For those who prefer to drive, the two largest islands can be reached by road. The bridge to the Ile de Re is a toll bridge.
Royan (55mins) has a casino, zoo, long sandy beaches backed by pine forests and an indoor market every weekday morning plus a lively night life. For the gardeners a trip to Les Jardins du Monde is a must.
Niort to the north (25mins) is the capital of the Marais Poitevin Regional Park, not quite in the Charente Maritime but worth crossing departments for. It has many good shops and restaurants plus a feudal castle and for the more energetic there is a golf course on the outskirts of the city. The whole region around Niort is famous for its angelica, could be an idea for an unusual present to take home.
Still to the north is Poitiers, home to the famous Futuroscope theme park, fun for all the family although not suitable for small children.
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