Eating Out

'Chez Steph'
"Only open for a couple of years but now one of the most popular venues in the Charente - unbeatable setting opposite the Chateau de-La-Rochefoucauld, the best steak you will ever eat in France and as one of our guests commmented 'garlic potatoes to die for', also the best pizza for miles around, salads, tartines and superb creme brulee - incredibly popular....always a queue during the season."

'Gourmet Restaurants'
"Charente Limousin has an excellent range of gourmet restaurants notably La Grange-aux-Oies at Le Chateau-de-Nieuil a short 5 minute drive away. In the summer, dine on the terrace opposite the Chateau, in the winter sit in the beautifully designed 'Grange' in front of a roaring log fire. Wonderful food - the menu changes every 3 months - many Charentaise dishes, beautifully prepared and served. A dessert trolley to die for - have as many as you want and local wines all for an all inclusive price of 46 Euros/head. Occasional 'Special Unique Menus'. An unforgettable experience."

'La Cassotte'
"Another restaurant in nearby Nieuil - good local produce - 5 course menu du jour for 12 Euros/head including wine - excellent value."

'Le Marronnier'
"Opened in Aug 2005 - a traditional French restaurant serving local produce in nice surroundings - popular with the locals in nearby St Laurent-de-Ceris. Has an outdoor seating area for the summer months - also a friendly bar and menu du jour at lunchtime. Vegetarian formule now available."

'Nanteuil'
"Two fantastic restaurants in a very pretty village - Le St-Jean offers gourmet cuisine with a twist and Auberge-de-L'Argentor offers more regional cuisine - wonderful fruits de mer and grills."

Local Area and Activities

'Chateau de-la-Rochefoucauld'
"One of the most beautiful chateaux in France - over 1000 years of history. Visit the Renaissance galleries, grand staircase (designed by Leonardo da Vinci?), old kitchens and the underground Roche of Foucauld. The libraries, map room and archive are open every afternoon for guided tours. Dressing-up box for the children during the summer months. New gallery opened in 2007. Very popular during the season, especially as Chez Steph is opposite."

'Circuit des Ramparts'
"The Angouleme Rampart Race - classic vintage racing car road race and rally weekend - 3rd weekend in September - 50% of the drivers and cars are English - one of the biggest Bugatti and Frazer-Nash events in the world. Very popular with classic car clubs from around the world - a wonderful finale to the season......."

'Futuroscope'
"Allow at least a day to enjoy the experience of this high-tech theme park dedicated to the moving image. 3D cinema, several IMAX screens, hair-raising rides. New for 2008 - The Castle of Giddiness and the World of Dinosaurs. Something different to experience every time you visit."

'Les Grottes de Queroy'
"To add to that day out in La Rochefoucauld, followed by wine-tasting at St Sornin take the children to the underground grottes at nearby Chazelles - beautiful underground caves discovered by a lady looking for her dog in 1892 - several chambers thousands of years old."

'Oradour'
"Lest we forget - not exactly an enjoyable day out, but worth the trip to see the 'martyred village' of Oradour-sur-Glane in nearby Limousin - preserved in the same state since the 10th June 1944. An excellent Centre de-la-Memoire presents exhibitions retracing the events that led to the massacre."

'Sports Activities'
"So many sports activities in the area - horse riding can be arranged with British owned stables a short 5 minute drive away. Canoeing and kayaking on the Rivers Charente and Vienne - the centres at Condac and Exideuil are particularly recommended. Adventure Park and the Lacs de Haute Charente have something for everyone, also man-made beaches at Roumazieres, Massignac and Angouleme and miles of empty roads for cycling."

'Vallee des Singes'
"Just outside Poitiers - unique in France - over 350 primates all in a natural setting. Have direct contact with the monkeys as they swing through the trees above your head. Get there for feeding time. Our favourites are the lemur colony and the largest gorilla group in France."

'Velo Rail'
"Every year this proves more popular - especially with the adults - either an easy 2½ hour pedal or the harder 5 hour trip for which you will need at least 4 cyclists...start from Roumazieres, Manot or Confolens."

Markets and Shopping

'Marsac Brocante'
"1st weekend in September (same weekend as the Lille Braderie) over 900 stalls selling bric-a-brac, brocante, antiquities - good prices and lots of fun."

'Rouillac'
"Rouillac market on 27th of every month - one of the biggest markets in France - a good day out - lots of livestock in the mornings - anything from a llama to a peacock......good range of food stalls, local wine and Pineau producers, local cheeses, fruit and veg, Limoges porcelain - something for everyone."

'Weekly Market at Piegut'
"Just under an hour away on the border with the Dordogne, the pretty village of Piegut-Pluviers hosts a weekly market. Lots of local produce, cheese, foie gras, duck as well as local artisans and the cheapest porcelain shop in the region. One of the best markets in south west France - well worth the trip."

'Wine-tasting'
"The wines of the Poitou-Charente region are rapidly gaining in popularity - wine tours and tastings at Ampelidae and Domain de Villemont near Poitiers to name a few of the Haut Poitou region plus St Sornin between La Rochefoucauld and Montbron, Maison des Maines near Angouleme and L'Angoumans. Two Pineau/Cognac producers worth a visit (generous tastings) are Roussille in Fleac and Guy Bonnaud at Gourville."