Les Chenes

•Talmont sur Gironde (10 mins). Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France with its 12th century church overlooking the Gironde Estuary.

•Royan (25 mins). A lively seaside resort with a variety of bars & restaurants. Its massive sweep of soft, sandy beaches makes it a popular choice for families. Golf course is 10 mins from centre.

•Saintes (35 mins). Situated on the banks of the Charente River. This is a historical town with amphitheatre and archaeological museum. Boat trips can be taken down the river.

•Cognac (40 mins). The heart of the global Cognac business. The big cognac houses offer tours where the distillation process is demonstrated & explained. Prior booking necessary in high season.

•La Rochelle (70 mins). Picturesque town with its colourful harbour, cafes, restaurants, shops and ancient fortified port.

•La Palmyre Zoo (45 mins). One of the most beautiful zoological gardens in Europe spread over a 14 hectares site in the heart of pinewoods.

•The Medoc. Take the ferry from Royan or Blaye for 30 minute crossing to visit the beautiful vineyards of one of France’s famous wine growing regions.

•Cote Sauvage - Wild Coast (45 mins). Providing great conditions for surfing, wind surfing & sailing.

•St-Palais-sur-Mer (45 mins). - A resort of character with its

  Belle-Epoque houses nestling among the pine and the green oaks. It has a fine sandy beach in a delightful bay.

•St-Jean-d'Angely (50 mins). The old quarters in the historic centre are largely pedestrian with cobbled alleys and timber-framed

  facades. Twice a week the town centre is taken over by a lively market and there are a number of good restaurants and bars.