Maison
de Lavande is a converted farmhouse situated in the heart of the Charentaise
countryside. Offering a warm welcome and a comfortable stay in a peaceful
village with all facilities and many attractions close by. Long lets and
discounts available for stays of 7 nights and over. From €43 a night,
including continental breakfast. Evening meals are available on request
at a supplement. Situated on the outskirts of the village of Bouin,
Maison de Lavande is within easy reach of Niort which is served by the
TGV line and the A10 motorway (10 minutes) which runs from Paris to Bordeaux. It
is within an hour of both Poitiers, Limoges and La Rochelle
airports, served by the budget airlines, nearest port is 4 hours away.
Detailed map and directions given on booking. Expect long hot summers and
short winters. The region is second only to the Côte d’Azure in the average
numbers of sunshine hours annually. Poitou-Charente has a warm,
temperature climate thanks, in part, to the Gulf Stream. This is an
un-spoilt region of frequent blue skies and warm sunshine. This region of France
abounds in beautiful cities, ancient villages, rivers and forests. Deux
Sèvres (capital Niort) Vienne (capital Poitiers) Charente (capital Angouleme)
Each of the 4 departments possesses its’ own regional identity, largely
as a result of its geographical location. The western most region includes both
flat, grain-producing plains and coastal marshland – much of it a protected
nature reserve. Inland to the north lies the celebrated network of tranquil
waterways and lush meadow known as the Marais Poitevin, whilst
further south the Cognac area is characterized by its wealth of productive
vineyards supplying grapes for both the illustrious brandy and its aperitif
close relative, Pineau des Charentes. Elsewhere, in northern Charente and
Vienne, for example, you will pass through gently undulating fields of sunflowers,
maize, rape and wheat. Throughout the region, the landscape also features
coppiced woodlands of chestnut, oak, cherry, holly and acacia, lending colour
throughout the seasons. Here and there, lone mature walnut trees stand
like sentinels. The effect, whatever the season, is both beautiful and rich in
its variety. The market towns of Chef Boutonne, Civray and Ruffec
are on the doorstep and tourist attractions of Futuroscope (theme park), Cognac
and La Rochelle are within easy reach Location and Local Facilities: We
are situated in a tranquil corner of the village of Bouin in Poitou-Charentes,
one of the sunniest regions in France. The region is rich in culture and
history, with Romanesque architecture all around.
The gently rolling countryside is ideal for cyclists who prefer their
bike rides not too strenuous, and there are pleasant local walks. This is
the best way to observe the varied local bird life, which includes redstarts,
golden orioles, hoopoes, and buzzards.
At the nearby town of Chef-Boutonne, the chateau at Javarzay is one of
the most important Renaissance chateaux in Poitou, with park and fishing lake.
About 20 minutes away is Melle, where you can visit the silver mines of the
Frankish kings, and the ‘triad’ of Romanesque churches, or stroll through
the themed arboretum. Within 30 minutes’ drive there are a number of zoological
parks, a wide variety of museums, and golf courses. A little further afield,
but still within an hour’s drive, the Marais Poitevin offers trips
along the maze of canals, the town of Saintes has Roman remains and Mediaeval
churches and offers boat trips on the river Charente, while at Cognac you
can visit the warehouses of the major Cognac producers. |
