charente holiday cottage Self-catering accommodation

Charente Holiday Cottage: LOCAL INFORMATION

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PLACES TO VISIT

RESTAURANTS,

ANAM CARA FOR CHILDREN,

BOATING AND BOAT TRIPS,

SEPTEMBER IN CHARENTE

FRENCH OR ENGLISH FOOD?

SOME PLACES TO VISIT/ FURTHER INFORMATION

[bold]LAKE BEACH AT VILLEFAGNAN AND ST YRIEUX

RIVER BEACH AT REJALLANT AT CONDAC AND AUBTERRE[/bold]

Futuroscope Theme Park
Futuristic, multimedia, high-tech theme park which attracts visitors from all over Europe. Just outside Poitiers
FUTUROSCOPE

Parc Animalier de la Colline Enchantee
11 hectare animal park with wallabies, llamas, ostriches, emus, stags, deer, yak, antelopes, bison, dromedaries, and farm animals.
LA COLLINE ENCHANTE

Confolens World Music & Dance Festival
In August every year Confolens hosts this international festival - ten day event with troupes of musicians and dancers from all corners of the globe. After the organised stage shows, small groups of artistes can be found on the terraces and bars of the town until the small hours
CONFOLENS FESTIVAL

La Vallee des Singes
in a 15 hectare park, 350 monkeys, chimpanzees, apes, gorillas roam (almost) freely. Children can mix with the animals and join in feeding sessions.
MONKEY VALLEY

Zoodysee
Wonderful animal park set in a beautiful natural environment in the Forest of Chize, with over 500 animals to see.
ZOODYSEE

Oradour Sur Glane
The famous "martyr Village" subject to a terrible Nazi massacre in Worl War Two. Rebuilt village with museum, artefacts, memories, exhibitions.
ORADOUR

Feeriland
A world in miniature: a Lilliput land containing hundreds of miniature models; Caesar's army approaching a medieval village; the Wild West; a Gaelic Village; the Renaissance in miniature; animated scale models. At Veyrac, ten minutes from Limoges, near Oradour sur Glane.
FEERILAND

Ruffec Town Hall & Information
Guidede tour of the town, tourist information, photos and events calendar.
RUFFEC INFORMATION

Charente Guide
Tourist guide to Charente events, festivals, carnivals, concerts, exhibitions and guided tours.
CHARENTE GUIDE

Snake Island
L'ile aux Serpents is a fascinating world of snakes, iguanas, varans, alligators, lizards, turtles and mangees living in a natural environment including caves, water and flora. The vivarium is open all year and you can have close contact if you wish. At La Trimouille, east of Montmorillon and not too far from Les Geants du Ciel at Chauvigny.
SNAKE ISLAND

Giants of the Sky
Les Geants du Ciel is at the stunning medieval city of Chauvigny. Eagles and other birds of prey, white storks, African marabous, Australian kookaburras, parrots and other birds from all over the globe perform spectacular and colourful demonstrations of their skills in flight.
GIANTS OF THE SKY

Charente Museum Guide
Information and virtual guides to museums in Poitou-Charentes. Includes: archaeology, ethnology, Arts and Natural History museums throughout the region. Events calendar showing exhibitions.
CHARENTE MUSEUM GUIDE

Puy Du Fou
The famous theme park - battles, knights, castles!
PUY DU FOU

La Rochelle Aquarium
An unforgettable encounter with the undersea world. With sea creatures and features around you and above your head, you enter the marine world of sharks, fish, barrier reefs, etc.
LA ROCHELLE AQUARIUM

Aventure Parc
Adventure park for acrobatics, climbing, 4 circuits of 63 games, tarzan leaps, rope bridges and aerial ropeways. Mainly for over 8's
AVENTURE PARC

Pescalis
Superb fishing opportunities at Pescalis. Created in 2000, in an area of 150 hectares, Pescalis is the first international nature & fishing center in Europe. Here, birds, frogs and toads, insects and fish cohabit the luxuriant wetlands in peaceful tranquillity.Pescalis invites you to discover the natural surroundings where our catch-and release policy benefits all.
PESCALIS

Chateau de la Rochefoucauld
A great day out is to visit the pretty town of La Rochefoucauld with its famous chateau. Fascinating tours in a beautiful place.
CHATEAU DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

NAUTILUS Swimming and Ice-Skating Park
Nautilis is a mixed family sports and leisure centre offering water sports and an ice-skating rink. There are two pools available to all ; indoor leisure pools (toboggan, jets, spas) and rooms for natural water and cardiac therapy. Outdoors there is the River Charente, wave pool, pentagliss as well as an inflatable structure of 17m.
NAUTILUS

RESTAURANTS NEARBY

Here are some restaurants recommended by previous guests. We can email you a full list of restaurants in Ruffec and in the surrounding area.

> Le Rejallant RECOMMENDED

Rejallant - 16700 CONDAC
Tél. : 05 45 29 08 44

Type de restauration : Spécialités traditionnelles et exotiques.
Commentaire : Ouvert toute l'année le mercredi, jeudi, vendredi et samedi soir.
Menus : 10, 13, 18.30 .

> Le Moulin de Condac RECOMMENDED

Le Bourg - 16700 CONDAC
Tél. : 05 45 31 04 97 - Fax : 05 45 31 29 74

Type de restauration : Terroir.
Capacité d'accueil : 70 couverts en salle, 150 en terrasse (séminaires, banquets)
Commentaire : Ouvert toute l'année sauf les lundis et mardis soirs.
Menus entre 11 et 28 .
> Luxé

> L' Auberge du Cheval Blanc RECOMMENDED
Place de la Gare - 16230 LUXE
Tél. : 05 45 22 23 62 - Fax : 05 45 39 94 75

Type de restauration : Cuisine gastronomique.
Capacité d'accueil : 50 couverts.
Commentaire : Fermé le dimanche soir et le lundi. Fermé en février.
Menus entre 12 et 30 .

> La Marmite RECOMMENDED
Rue Watlinghton - 16230 MANSLE
Tél. : 05 45 22 20 48 - Fax : 05 45 39 03 61

Type de restauration : Cuisine traditionnelle.
Capacité d'accueil : 50 couverts en salle et 80 en terrasse.
Commentaire : Ouvert toute l'année - Sauf 2 semaines en mars et 3 en novembre.
Menus de 9,91 à 23,63 .

> L' Auberge de l'Argentor RECOMMENDED

17, Rue Guillaume Le Noble - 16700 NANTEUIL EN VALLÉE
Tél. : 05 45 31 85 20 - Fax : 05 45 31 85 20

Type de restauration : Produits frais du terroir.
Capacité d'accueil : 60 couverts en salle et 20 en terrasse.
Commentaire : Ouvert toute l'année. Fermeture le mardi sauf juillet et août.
Menus entre 10 et 24,40 . Réservation souhaitable.

> La Côte de Buf
Route de Civray - 16510 RUFFEC
Tél. : 05 45 31 05 49 - Fax : 05 45 31 05 49

Type de restauration : Cuisine traditionnelle.
Capacité d'accueil : 100 couverts en salle et 10 en terrasse.
Commentaire : Fermé le lundi soir sauf l'été.
Menus de 13 à 18,29 .

> Le grillon
49, Rue République - 16700 RUFFEC
Tél. : 05 45 31 53 80

Type de restauration : Pizzeria - restauration traditionnelle.
Capacité d'accueil : 50 couverts en salle et 15 en terrasse.
Commentaire : Ouvert toute l'année - Fermé le dimanche sauf l'été.
Menus de 12,50 à 15,90 .

> Le Whisky Galore RECOMMENDED
33 rue jean Jaures 16700 RUFFEC Tel 05 45 29 07 12
Traditional Scottish food

> Tusson

> Le Compostelle RECOMMENDED
Le Bourg - 16140 TUSSON
Tél. : 05 45 31 15 90 - Fax : 05 45 31 15 90
Email : lecompostelle@aol.com

Type de restauration : Cuisine classique et gastronomique.
Capacité d'accueil : 30 couverts.
Commentaire : Ouvert toute l'année sauf 2 semaines en octobre et 3 en janvier.
Fermeture le jeudi et dimanche soir.
Menu du jour 11 - Menus de 18,50 à 26,50 .

> Villefagnan

> L' Étoile d' Or RECOMMENDED

1, Route d'Aigre - 16700 VILLEFAGNAN
Tél. : 05 45 29 58 42

Type de restauration : Cuisine gastronomique, traditionnelle et rapide.
Capacité d'accueil : 70 couverts.
Hébergement : oui.
Commentaire : Ouvert toute l'année.

> Table d'hôtes La Cantinolière
La Cantinolière - 16700 VILLEFAGNAN
Tél. : 05 45 31 60 81

Type de restauration : Table d'hôtes.
Label : Gîte de France.
Capacité d'accueil : 6 personnes.
Hébergement : oui.
Commentaire : 12 par personne sur réservation.

> Villegats

> Le Charentais
RN 10 - 16700 VILLEGATS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Tél. : 05 45 31 40 32 - Fax : 05 45 31 40 41

Capacité d'accueil : 44 personnes en salle et 32 en terrasse.

> Villiers le Roux

> Le Poivrier RECOMMENDED

Le Bourg - 16240 VILLIERS LE ROUX
Tél. : 05 45 31 67 79
Web : poivrier.free.fr
Email : renepatin@free.fr

Type de restauration : Cuisine traditionnelle - produits frais.
Capacité d'accueil : 45 personnes.
Commentaire : Fermé le jeudi et le dimanche midi.

ANAM CARA FOR CHILDREN

At the house: very large, child-friendly garden, with sun and shade, safe pool, sandpit, children's games, space to explore and play safely. Cricket bats, badminton, skipping ropes, bats and balls.

The garden is enclosed and has large lockable gates. The pool and play area are visible from the kitchen window.

NEARBY VISITS FOR FREE

There are many attractive places nearby that involve no costs or entry fee. They are great places for relaxing, wandering, bathing, taking a picnic and making your own entertainment.

LE REJALLANT just five minutes from Anam Cara is a beautiful free leisure base centred around a restored water mill. There is a safe children's bathing area with a small beach, waterfalls, canoes, ducks and swans to feed. Bridges over the streams of the river take you to a children's play area, picnic tables and a barbecue. You can walk along the banks of the Charente past the weirs and river islands. If you haven't brought your own picnic or barbecue, there is a very friendly bar and restaurant overlooking the river. This is the most popular place with guests.

LE MOULIN DE FLEURAC just outside Angouleme is another restored ( paper-making) mill. No restaurant, but again a lovely place for a picnic. Large open spaces for children to explore and play safely in beautiful well-planted parkland. Fascinating bridges over the various streams of the mill-race.

LE MOULIN DES PIERRES BLANCHES just up the road at VILLEFAGNAN. A real windmill that works. The main attraction nearby is the huge lake and park of Les Trois Fontaines. Safe bathing and a lovely lake beach. Picnic and play area.

LE PLAN D'EAU DES TROIS FONTAINES

PLAN D'EAU DE LA GRANDE PRAIRIE just outside Angouleme, another huge lake and park, with safe bathing, great beach, playground, games. A family place - well worth spending a day here. Just 20 minutes down the N10. Popular with families this summer.

MAISON DU CHOCOLAT at Jarnac provides a history and exhibition of chocolate-making. Free entry, as at CHOCOLATERIE LETUFFE at Trois-Palis where a guided visit takes you through all the chocolate-making process.

The area offers a huge number of other free places to visit and enjoy, including: the Braconne Forest, the Forest of Ruffec, the Lakes of Lavaud, free festivals, many free museums and chateaux. The Anam Cara Housebook gives details of What's On.

(CHARGED) THEME PARKS, NATURE AND WILDLIFE

FUTUROSCOPE just outside Poitiers attracts visitors from all over Europe for its high-tech, futuristic, multimedia displays, rides, presentations and hands-on action. You will not see everything in one day.

www.futuroscope.com

VALLEE DES SINGES at Romagne allows you to see and mix with 350 monkeys, chimps, gorillas and other apes in a natural habitat. Most of the animals are in complete freedom in a wooded park or on river islands. Children can get close to the monkeys and help at feeding time.

www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr/UK

VELORAIL is a unique cycling experience. You pedal at your own pace on specially adapted cycles which run on the ancient railway line between Roumazieres and Confolens, taking you through an amazing landscape.

LES GEANTS DU CIEL at Chauvigny, east of Poitiers. Eagles and other large birds of prey from around the world fly in and around the audience in a medieval setting.

Parc Animalier de la Colline Enchantee at HIESSE
11 hectare animal park with wallabies, llamas, ostriches, emus, stags, deer, yak, antelopes, bison, dromedaries, and farm animals.
www.colline-enchantee.com

PUY DU FOU GRAND PARC
A magical 40 hectare theme park to the north west, near Cholet. Gladiators and Vikings do battle around fortified castles. Various villages showing a different era in each one. Minstrels, falconers, theatre.

www.puydufou.com/UK

AVENTURE PARC at Chabanais/Massignac lakes
Large adventure park with acrobatics,4 circuits of 63 games, climbing, Tarzan leaps, rope bridges and aerial ropeways. Mainly for the over 8's. All set in the French Lake District.
www.aventure-parc.fr

BEACHES There are beautiful beaches a short drive away at La Rochelle, Royan, Ile de Re, Ile d'Oleron.

BOATING, BOAT-TRIPS, CANOES AND KAYAKS

CRUISE BOATS: are available mainly to the south where the Charente is more navigable. There is a list of places and telephone numbers on page 40 of Le Guide a voir a faire which is available at Anam Cara. Also via www.lacharente.com Tourisme Fluviale

CANOES, KAYAKS, PEDALOS & ROWING BOATS:
can be hired at numerous places closer to Anam Cara, including Le Rejallant at Condac, Mansle, Roumazieres-Loubert, Verneuil, Montignac, Pressignac, Vars. (See p40 Le Guide a voire a faire at Anam Cara.)

MOTOR BOATS: can be hired at Cognac, Fleac, Vars

The Tourist Information Office in Place des Martyrs in Ruffec has further information about all kinds of boating in the area.

SEPTEMBER IN CHARENTE

We're all booked up June until 29 August, but September in Charente can be a lovely time to visit. The weather is still great, but roads and other places are less busy. And it's still festival time in Charente:

Coup de Chauffe - (5th-6th September 2008, Cognac)For 48 hours, art takes to the streets. Circus, theatre, dance, music performers of all sorts take to the streets of Cognac, call out the bemused spectators with their lively banter... It's the Coup de Chauffe.

Le circuit des remparts - (19th-21th September 2008, Angoulême)

In the town centre, this motor race is the rendezvous for Bugattis and other vintage and pre-war racing cars. All along the sinuous course round the town ramparts, the cars compete in a race whose first sponsor was the great Juan Fangio.

FRENCH FOOD - ENGLISH FOOD

There are all kinds of mouthwatering French foods available in the area, but just occasionally if, for some reason, you feel the need to top up with English food, there is an English shop, The Cockleshell, in Ruffec selling all the popular English brands. If it's baked beans or Marmite that you crave, they've got it. And if you're really tired of moules frites, cassoulet, Charente melons, fruits de mer - you can even get English-style fish and chips in Ruffec as well...

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