The Local Area

 

The majority of our customers find it so relaxing at Charente Country Retreat, that they rarely leave the site - but if you wish to see a little more of the local area, the information on this page should be of use - on site you will also find an information pack giving details of local attractions...

 

The site is situated in the "Pays du Charente Limousine", the area where the Regions of Poitou-Charentes and Limousin meet, and is characterised by beautiful rolling hills, heavily wooded areas, farmland and green fields and the area is studded with literally thousands of lakes.

 

On arrival you will be presented with a welcome pack which gives details of all the local tourist attractions. Here is a useful website address, the site has plenty of information on the region :  http://www.discover-poitou-charentes.com/

 

This is a very rural area but excellent facilities are available a short drive away, there are a lot of excellent restaurants within 30 minutes drive of the lake, we have visited many of them and will be happy to advise you if you would like to enjoy the local gastronomy. The Charente is officially the second sunniest Region in France after the Mediterranean coast and has long warm summers which often continue into November. The Limousin also offers many towns and villages to visit, including Mortemart which is 15 minutes drive, and has been voted one of the 130 most beautiful villages of France.

 

The "Monts de Blond" which climb to over 1000 metres above sea level are very close by and can actually be seen from the lake, these are the first foothills of the "Massif Central" and provide an area of outstanding natural beauty, with forests, beautiful lakes and stunning scenery.

Horse Riding in this amazing area is available and can be arranged for you.

 

There are plenty of shops in the large town of St Junien which is only 12 minutes drive from the lake. The town also has a large swimming pool centre with 4 pools and an outdoor childrens pool area with slides etc.

 

La Vallée de la Vienne runs through the area from Limoges through St.Junien and Chabanais and then to the very pretty medieval town of Confolens (pictured on the right and recommended for a visit) and is full of scenic countryside and charming, quiet French villages.

 

RECOMMENDED - Canoeing on the River Vienne, starting in Confolens, 20 minutes drive from the lake. No experience is neccessary, the River is very beautiful and tranquil - it is a superb way to spend an afternoon and we can make all the arrangements for you.

 

The large city of Limoges is 30 minutes drive away, and has all the facilities you would expect to find.

The photo on the right shows a part of the old district of the city. The River Vienne flows through the city and there are several large public parks, an aquarium, many bars and restaurants and several shopping areas.

 

The nearest village is Montrollet which is within walking distance (or 2 minutes in the car) it has an Auberge (bar/restaurant) where you can have a drink at the bar or a 4 course meal for € 18.50 and sit outside on the covered terrace overlooking the Public Lake.

 

For anyone with an interest in history, we recommend a visit to the war memorial at the "martyr" town of Oradour sur Glane. Here, in the period leading up to the end of the second world war, after the alleged capture of a Nazi officer by the French resistance, all the inhabitants of the town were murdered by a division of the German Nazi Waffen SS and the village was destroyed. Oradour is only 10 minutes drive from Les Croix, it has been preserved exactly as it was left at the end of the war, and is a reminder to all of the atrocities committed in the war.