Eating Out

'Cheap and Cheerful!'
"Le Chaudron, Chantemerle. Routier type accommodation (the dining tables are at the end of the main room from the bar), fixed menu but with buffet selection for entree. Ample portions, nothing fancy but well cooked and tasty. Chez Chantal, L'Absie. Another favourite with lorry drivers and locals because it is good French fare."

'Expensive but Absolutely Delicious'
"St Pierre Restaurant, Moncoutant. Arm and a leg job, only for special occasions but truly wonderful food, presented magnificently. Was not sure about the goldfish (in bowl) on each table!! Relais des Saveurs, Neuvy-Bouin, less expensive but the same quality of food; the chef from the St Pierre runs this as a sideline. The seating is off the bar so don't choose a night when there is an important football match or you won't be able to hear yourselves think!"

'Normal Range of Set Menu Prices'
"L'Etoile, L'Absie, popular place, buffet selection for entree, which makes it easier for vegetarians to fill up their plates with suitable choices. Relais de la Poste, La Chataigneraie. Good food, big old-fashioned dining room or tables out in a little courtyard. Pic Vert, Vouvant. Pizzas, steaks and much more. Nice position by the river. Le Carpe d'Or, Pescalis near Moncoutant. Open in summer but only certain lunchtimes out of season. There is also a cafe at Pescalis for drinks, pizza and other snacks. Le Piano, Vernoux en Gatine. Open for 3 course lunches at only 13€. Food extremely good quality and well presented but only 2 choices for each course. If you go in the evening you have the benefit of the chef coming out of the kitchen and playing the piano (hence the name). La Petite Auberge, La Chapelle St Laurent. Delicious food and lots of choice. Menu in French and no-one speaks English so could be a challenge!"

'Something Different'
"Le Manoir, Noirterre. You have to like bread to eat here! Every course is accompanied by pitta type breads straight out of the oven. Would not have been surprised if he had cooked some more to go with the pudding!! Very garrulous owner who will regale you with the history of his oven, the property and the Gallo-Roman period but neither he or his wife speak English. Le Truffade, Parthenay. Specialises in traditional Auvergne recipes, including a braised potato dish from which it derives its name. Closed all winter. Very popular so always need to book. Seating rather squashed together which is ok if you fancy making new friends."

Local Area and Activities

'A Little Further Away'
"Ostrich farm (17km) with maize, wagon rides, a quiz and a close up look at the birds. Mervent (20km) has a zoo with petting area, beach with picnic area, canoes and bar. Parc de Pierre Brun for amusements. Mouton Village (25km) A good day out. Everything you ever wanted to know about sheep! Petting area, tastings, displays. Info 05 49 69 12 12"

'Closest Beaches'
"Take the D949BIS to La Chataigneraie, the D938 towards Fontenay-le-Comte, before you get there take the bypass which joins the D949 to Lucon and then the D746 to L'Aigullon, safe enclosed stretch of seawater, good for children/weak swimmers. La-Faute-sur-Mer and La-Tranche-sur-Mer, sand dunes and sea beaches, kite flying on the dunes, lots of shops and cafes."

'Just Up The Road'
"Foret de L'Aventure (4km). A treetop adventure on ropes and walkways. Exciting but safe as everyone has a safety harness, so if you let go you don't crash to the ground. A lower, smaller course available for younger children. Picnic area, minigolf. Karting (4.5km). Go-karts for the speed freaks amongst you. Bungee Jumping (4km). At Breuil-Barret. Saturday and Sunday afternoons every 3-4 weeks. Reservations 05 65 60 00 45. Pescalis (11km). Fishing village with public ponds for carp or private (fee paying) ones for more exotic fish. Has a shop for hiring tackle, restaurants, bar, boat hire, childrens play area, mini golf. Les Noues de Puy Jean (11km). Farm visit with walks, cart rides (pulled by tractor or donkey), aromatic garden, rare breeds. Picnic area or buy your meal at the farm. Pleasant, inexpensive, low-key outing."

'Outdoor Pools and Lakes'
"La Tardiere lake and holiday camp. Small pool with slides. Open to non-residents, just after Breuil-Barret on the way to La Chataigneraie, turn right and follow the signs to Base de Loisirs. Secondigny, take the Niort road out of town and the lake is on your left. The pool is by the lake. Lac de Chassenon, part of the Mervent Country Park, beach, picnic area, canoes, bar. Take the Niort road from L'Absie, at Coulonges turn right to Fontenay. The lake is halfway there on the right."

'Places to Swim'
"Swimming pool at La Chanduriere, just a step from your gite. No chemicals, naturally cleaned water. 8 x 4m depth 1.5m pool with landscaped shallow edges for younger children to play in (shelving to 50cm deep). Indoor heated pools, Moncoutant part of the sports complex. Cerizay. Brand new, on the right as you drive into town from Moncoutant."

'Still Within a Reasonable Drive'
"Marais Poitevin (40km). Coulon is a pretty town on this network of canals. Hire a boat and find your way around the backwaters. Poitiers (80km). An interesting town, good shopping, pretty parks, lots of history. Go to St-Benoit, just south of the ring road for a picnic by the water. Futuroscope (90km) just north of Poitiers, opens at 10am and the evening show ends at 10pm. If you like scary rides this is the place for you! You have to be 1.2 metres tall to go on the best ones so perhaps not for families with small children. Plenty of benches by the water, cafes and restaurants"

'Still Within a Rreasonable Drive'
"The coast (75km) La-Tranche/ La-Faute-sur-Mer for beaches and sand dunes, La Rochelle for boat trips, a million harbourside cafes, interesting history and architecture. Rochefort for coastal walks, naval history, ropeworks and much more. Puy du Fou (45km). Huge park with stunning staged spectaculars from gladiators to Vikings, to muskateers. A very full day trip but not to be missed. D949BIS to La Chataigneraie, D39 to Cheffois, turn right on to the D752 to Pouzauges. Follow signs for Puy du Fou around the ring road, through St-Michel- Mont-Mercure (look out for the amazing statue of Mercury on top of the church spire) where you turn right to Les Epesses. Well signposted all the way."

'The Area'
"An hour inland from lovely beaches and the bustling port of La Rochelle, this gite is in rolling countryside with lovely views down the valley. The stream in the bottom is actually the tiny beginnings of the Vendee river. An hour in the opposite direction brings you to the ancient city of Poitiers and the Futuroscope Park. The nearest town is L'Absie (3km) which has a bakers, grocers, chemist, bars, newsagent and banks but for the supermarket shopping you have to go 11km to La Chataigneraie."

Markets and Shopping

'Every Week'
"Covered market every Saturday in La Rochelle. Street market every Thursday and Saturday in Niort. Street market (including small livestock in front of the Halle) every Tuesday in Coulonges."

'Farmers Market'
"Every Sunday at Pescalis (6 miles away) small but all focussed on the same thing, FOOD!! Delicious local produce and some interesting speciality stalls, (ostrich pate?!)."

'Less Often'
"Second Monday of each month in Moncoutant. 4th Monday of each month in La Chataigneraie. 1st Wednesday of each month in Mauze. 2nd Sunday of each month in L'Absie. (the one in September is 3 times the size of normal and includes lots of antiques/bric à brac."