Angouleme:  Our nearest city, it has been inhabited from the year 600AD and is the capital of the Charente. It is known as the ‘City of Festivals’, set high above the old city walls with views for miles around. We are 25 minutes away by car but a pleasant train ride away if you are not in the mood for driving.

Cognac:  Cognac is a must on everyone’s itinerary. From the start of your holiday meandering through the countryside rich in acres of vines, to the beautiful town and there experiencing the distilling process of the many great cognac houses, is a magical experience. Your enjoyment is enhanced by the sampling of the cognac itself in the houses where experts are more than happy to demonstrate their distilling and blending skills. Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin to name but a few are all within a 30 minute drive.

Royan:  If it’s the coast you are looking for then the beautiful town of Royan is a city of  ‘vacances all year round’ and it is just one hours drive away.  Royan has an wonderful atmosphere; with its magnificent sandy beaches, unusual sites, sports, harbour, splendid restaurants, entertainment and cultural heritage you can discover a town where anything is possible.  From here it is also possible to take the car ferry to the Medoc peninsula and return via Bordeaux or Arcachon.

Bordeaux: This elegant city on the banks of the Garonne is in the heart of the eponymous wine region. Bordeaux itself is a very stylish city with a lively cosmopolitan air and with an abundance of cafes and restaurants. You can experience some of the best examples of 18th-century architecture in the whole of France. To see the nicest buildings stroll along the river near the Quai de la Douane (Customs House Quay). The city also has a major fine-arts museum and wonderful opera house. However if it’s retail therapy you need you will not be disappointed from the designer shops to the safety of shopping in one of the longest pedestrian areas in Europe.

Saint-Emilion:   This village is not only famous for its wine but is an ideal place for either a relaxing stroll or a closer look at the town's fascinating buildings. Whatever the reason, you are sure to feel welcome. The St Emillion Jurisdiction, the vineyards and the landscape have been listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. You can visit the Romanesque monuments and explore the tiny back streets of a bygone age whilst sampling the vintage delights that the town has to offer.

Aubeterre:  45 minutes away by car Aubeterre has a magnificent subterranean church and charming artisan village.  Enter another world and landscape.