Things To Do
Touvérac Lake
A beautiful blue lake where you can walk and have a picnic.
Only 10 minutes drive from the Gite.
Barbezieux Saint-Hilaire is a fortified hill town only 15 minutes drive from the Gite. The town rises from narrow streets of unspoilt, typically Charentais buildings plus a beautiful church and medieval chateau.
There are plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes and small shops to look at.
Jonzac is a lovely town which has a beautiful chateau, good markets including night markets in the Summer on a Wednesday evening, and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants.
It also had a heated indoor pool with outdoor swimming too. A lake is nearby where you can hire a canoe or swim. A very pretty place to visit.
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is a 40 minute drive away and has been listed as one of the the most beautiful villages in France. It has an amazing underground church which is open all year round, plus lots of narrow streets with various artisan shops.
It has many cafes and restaurants as well as a lot of antique shops. There is also a river with a beach where you can swim or hire a canoe.
Cognac is a beautiful city, about 45 minutes drive away, with plenty of restaurants, bars and lovely streets to wander at your leisure. It is most famous for its Cognac distilleries (around 200) where you can book a tour in advance to visit these.
There is Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin and Courvoisier. These four produce most of the Cognac exported to the world. There are many others you can visit too.
If you are English speaking make sure when you book that you ask for an English speaking tour guide.
Angoulême is a small city about 45 minutes drive and is our main city. It has lovely river views, restuarants, bars and shops as well as a lovely church.
Located on a plateau overlooking a meander of the river Charente, the city is nicknamed the “balcony of the southwest”. It is well worth a visit and has some lovely architecture.
Saintes is a beautiful small city about an hour from us, which has an old amphitheatre, a lovely river where you can hire boats either on your own, or a tour boat.
There is a lovely church, shops and restaurants and bars. A very pretty place to visit. Lot of nice side streets to venture and or just to walk along the river.
Royan is a seaside resort town on France’s Atlantic coast, at the mouth of the Gironde estuary. It is just over an hour from here but worth a visit. Its sandy beaches include the 2 km-long, south-facing La Grande Conche with its sheltered waters.
The town also has belle epoque villas and modern, postwar architecture such as the concrete Notre-Dame de Royan church. The grand Cordouan Lighthouse stands on an islet in the estuary, accessible by ferry.
French Markets
Our local market in Baignes-Sainte Radegonde is held on Wednesday and Sunday mornings and has a few stalls.
For larger markets you can go to:
- Angouleme – everyday
- Jonzac – Tuesday and Saturday mornings
- Chalais – Monday mornings
- Cognac – Tuesday and Friday mornings
- Coutras – Saturday mornings
- Blaye – Wednesday and Saturday mornings
- La Rochelle – Wednesday and Saturday mornings
- Montondre – Thursday and Sunday mornings
- Royan – everyday except Monday
There are also various Night Markets in the Summer months and the two nearest are
- Jonzac – Wednesday evenings
- Montondre – Tuesday evenings
Baignes-Sante Radegonde has a night market as a one off normally the first Saturday in July
Local Shops
The nearest Supermarket is the Intermarche which is in the village. It is a reasonable sized supermarket and has a fresh fish and meat counter.
Opens:
- Monday-Saturday 9am – 7.30pm
- Sunday 9am – 12.30
There is also a petrol station at the Intermarche which is self service so cards only.
There are a few local shops in the village such as a Pharmacy, Tobacconist, two Bakeries, Café, 3 hairdressers, a beauticians, DIY Shop and a Charity Shop
*Please note* most of these are closed for lunch between 12-2pm and all day Monday.
Local Restaurants
Le Grill Campagnaid
This is a great restaurant for steak lovers as all meats are cooked on an open fire grill in front of you.
They also serve other food and fish but it is best known for its steaks. Opens every day for lunch and evening except for Sunday and Monday.
L’Arganier Restaurant
This is a Moroccan restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan food and desserts.
It opens every lunch time including Sunday 12-2pm except for Monday and Tuesday when it closes all day. The only evenings it is open is Friday and Saturday 7.30-9.30pm.
Le Gourmet Des Halles
This local restaurant has a varied menu so check to see what they are offering for the week.
It opens 12-2pm and 7-10pm everyday except for Sunday and Monday.
Bébé pizzas
This is a takeaway only pizza place which is very popular with the locals. They have a large variety of cream based and tomato based pizzas.
It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11.30-1.30 and 6-9.30pm, Monday and Tuesday closed, Wednesday and Thursday 6-9pm.
Café de Paris
Our local café which is open lunch time and evenings.
It is closed Sunday afternoons and all day on Monday.