Baby Kestrels 2026

 This years baby Kestrels nearly ready to leave the nest

Pigeonnier

 

 Geneviève who has left today after just over a week staying in the Pigeonnier has kindly gave us permission to show her painting of the Pigeonnier.

Thank you.

Musée automobile de l’Aunis (6.3Km)

 Musée automobile de l’Aunis,

A great collection of 126 cars, 36 different makes dating from 1903 to 1994 

PUY DU FOU (140/150km---1 h 50 mins)

This is one of the best parks you will ever visit. It is just spectacular, you will delve into history from the 6 main and 10 smaller shows that will take you on an unforgettable experience for all the family to enjoy.

It is a very long day if you try and do it all in a day but if you allow 2 days you will not miss a thing and if you plan it right you could also see the Cinescenie night show.

Fouras 29 km

 Center Beach Fouras

Rochefort (20KM)

 Building for the rope making for the old sailing ships

'Pont Transbordeur' Great piece of engineering to cross the river avoiding the tall old sailing ships. 

St Martin de Ré, Ile De Ré (49 KM)

 

Deer visiting our garden at the Gites

 

Deer brazenly walking around our garden outside the back door

Chàtelaillon Plage (18 KM)

 Chàtelaillon plage open for the season with warm temperatures at the 'Cerf volant' bringing out crowds to the beach.

 

Coulon, Abbey Maillezais, Marais poitevin 45 km

 

Fouras 30 km

 Fouras south beach near La Rochelle.

Saint-Jean-d'Angély 36 km

 Market day in Saint-Jean-d'Angély.

Poitier's 124 km

 In the footsteps of one of the most remarkable of all medieval women, Eleanor of Aquitaine . Poitiers was the hometown of this Queen of legend.  once Queen of France, then Queen of England, mother of Richard the Lion-Heart. 

Alienor married first in 1137 to France’s  King Louis VII; she even accompanied Louis to the Holy Land on the Second Crusade. After 15 years of marriage the Queen had produced two daughters, but no sons.  The marriage was annulled in 1152.

Shortly after Alienor re-married, this time to Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy. in 1154 Henry became King Henry II of England, and the ex-Queen of France became Queen of England.  The marriage and the reign were tumultuous, with fights and rebellions, but Alienor and Henry created a lasting dynasty. 

In 1162, Eleanor and Henry started building a new cathedral. St Pierre Cathedral in Poitiers is the outcome, which took more than two centuries to finish.

Palace of the Counts of Poitiers is worth a visit its free to enter.