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About seven kilometres distant is the pretty, mediaeval town of Confolens with a river running through the centre and the opportunity to enjoy a drink or a meal sitting in the gardens of one of the riverside restaurants. The town also offers tennis, riding, fishing and a variety of sites of historic interest. There are also a variety of enjoyable, reasonably-priced restaurants and bars. For those who wish to practise French cuisine, the many local shops and supermarkets will provide you with delicious supplies of all the ingredients you need, including the wine. For those wishing to practise their French, you can try the local market if you get up early. The beautiful old port of La Rochelle is about 1½ hours drive away on the coast and has superb sea food restaurants, an "aquarium" and a good shopping centre. Visit Poitiers or Angoulême and shop, lunch in the many cafés and restaurants or walk around the city ramparts. Bordeaux is also within easy reach. Visit one of the weekly markets selling everything from local cheeses to antique furniture and pottery. If you like the seaside, the inland lakes and beaches at Videux and Pressignac and Ruffec are cleaner and closer with the opportunity for watersports. Cinema at Ruffec. Visit the silver mines at Melle. Take the TGV from Ruffec to Bordeaux or Paris for the day. The Young and Young at Heart Attractions in the area include Futurescope at Poitiers which is the only theme park of this nature in all of Europe and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. The adventure park at Park Bellevue at Limoges

Services included. We reserve the right to charge for electricity, gas and wood other than in the months of July and August. All telephone charges are extra.

Maid service may be available by agreement at an extra cost.

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Culture and History Celebrate the storming of the Bastille with the locals and see the firework display in Confolens on the 14th July. A festival of folklore is held in Confolens every year in August with theatre, concerts and dancing. During the week of the 15th August, the town is filled with visitors enjoying the festival of folklore, arts and dance. Visit the many old chateaux, abbeys and churches, such as Rochechouart, Rochefoucauld or St. Germain de Confolens currently in the process of renovation. Watch porcelain being made in the factories of Limoges and perhaps add a decorative plate or two to your collection. Walk around the village of Oradour sur Glane with its cruel reminder of the last war. Visit the prehistoric grotto at Querroy discovered in 1892 and see the many chambers and corridors. Chateau at Javarzay. Tapestry Museum at Aubusson. The Chapel of Courcome with frescoes. The museum of rural life and a medieval garden at Tusson. Musical concerts are regularly held locally throughout the summer, often open-air. These include classical, pop, blues and jazz. Details are available from the local tourist board literature which is usually left in the house. Nature Activities Fish beside the river or hire a boat on one of the nearby rivers or lakes. Hire a bike or ride on a horse and see the unspoilt countryside and the wildlife. The "Snake Park" at L'Ile aux Serpents at La Trimonille. The Planetarium at Poitiers. The Aquarium du Limousin at Limoges. The City of Insects at Nedde. The Agricultural Museum at Rivulies. Zoo at Chizé. Gourmets The Gironde valley stretching down towards Bordeaux is full of vineyards waiting for you to try their produce. There are also the brandy distilleries at Cognac which will be happy to offer you a tour and the chance to sample their wares. The Cointreau distillery. Gourmet day in Ruffec in November. Visit a cheese factory at Villefagnan or Sauze Vaussais and buy paté de fois gras. Sport Swim in the pool at Ruffec and enjoy an ice cream afterwards. Sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and pedalos at Videux and Pressignac. Horse riding at Villefagnan and Rejallant. Tennis at Ruffec. Swimming, canoeing and fishing at Base de Loisirs at Ruffec. Clay pigeon shooting at the Stand de Tir in Ruffec. Fly a microlight aeroplane at Ruffec. Horse show in Ruffec in September. Golf at Pressignac. Two bikes are provided at the house. There is also the velo-rail enabling you to pedal round the country on a disused railway. The inland beaches provide games, pedalos, canoes and dinghies.