La Nouvel Aquarium, Bassin des Grands Yachts, La Rochelle. Tel: 05 46 34 00 00 - Web: www.aquarium-larochelle.com
An aquarium with all sorts of fish from sharks to tiny multi-coloured ones.

La Vallée des Singes Romagne, Vienne. Tel: 05 49 87 20 20 - Web: www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr
Monkey Valley. A unique monkey park, with over 25 species of primates. (Take the Chaunay junction off the RN10.)

Kangourou Parc, Fomperron-Meningoute. Tel: 05 49 69 07 30
A farm with a range of Australian animals, all extremely rare in Europe, as well as Emu, Kookabourra, black swans and cockatoos.
There are also traditional farm animals such as horses, sheep, pigs, hens, rabbits etc.

Zoorama de Chizé, Rue de Chêne á Margot, Forêt de Chizé. Tel: 05 49 77 17 17
In the centre of the Forest of Chizé, a 25 hectare zoo with 600 European animals, mini farm and a play area for children.

Zoo de la Palmyre, 6 avenue Royan, La Palmyre. Tel: 05 46 22 46 06 - Web: www.eurodial-com.fr/zoopalmyre
The largest private zoo in France, situated in the heart of a 14 hectare forest, it has lions, tigers, zebras, rhino, elephants, crocodiles, pythons and tortoises.

Mouton Village, Maison du Mouton, Vasles. Tel: 05 49 69 12 12
6 hectares and 23 varieties of sheep which you can discover as you walk around. There are shearing demonstrations, sheepdogs at work, felt making, tapestry and more.

BEACHES - Man-made and coastal

Plan d'eau des Trois Fonatines, Villefagnan
Swimming, games area for children, snack bar, picnic area and toilets. Facilities open mainly in the summer holidays.

Plan d'eau du Lambon, Vitré. Tel: 05 49 79 90 41
This is a 7 hectare lake with a large sandy beach, changing rooms, café for cold drinks and ice creams. There is also a volley ball court, table tennis, restaurant with panoramic views over the lake, as well as an adventure playground, fishing and canoeing.

Les Mathes. Information line: 05 46 22 41 07
30 km of beaches

Châtelaillon-Plage. Information line: 05 46 56 26 97
3 km fine sandy beach with volley ball, football, a beach club for children, shows and games. Nearby is tennis, clay pigeon shooting, crazy golf, casino and pétanque (a type of bowls played in the south of France). (101, D3)

The Island of Oléron, L¹ile d¹Oleron. Tel: 05 46 85 65 23 - Web: www.marennes-oleron-tour.org
There are large beaches on this island, which is the biggest in Deux-Sévres Maritime.

Lake Saint-Cyr
Another large lake, with watersports, golf course and beach, with a lifeguard in July and August. Just north of Poitiers, near Futuroscope.

BOATS AND TRAIN RIDES

Le Petit Train de Cognac, Place François 1st, Cognac. Tel: 02 40 62 06 22
A tourist train running every day, from mid-May to the end of September.

Le Pibalou' Tourist Train, Rue de l'Eglise, Coulon. Tel: 05 49 35 14 14
Discover the history, flora and fauna of the marshes. Board at Coulon.

Boat Trips, 27 avenue des Minimes, La Rochelle. Tel: 05 46 50 68 44
Croisiéres Océanes. Excursions that can include a trip past Fort Boyard, for a day or half day, leaving from the old port (vieux port) of La Rochelle.

Marais Poitevin, 6 rue de l¹Eglise, Coulon. Tel: 05 49 35 14 14 - Web: www.maraispoitevin-evasion.com
Green Venice. A park that offers punts, scenic trains, and gondolas. Individual hire, guided tours or river cruises. To the west of Niort.

Lunch Cruise, Saintes. Tel: 05 46 74 23 83 - Web: www.ot-saintes.fr
Aboard the B. Palissy II, a crossing with a gastronomic stop at lunchtime.

Boat Trips, Saintes. Tel: 05 46 74 23 82 - Web: www.ot-saintes.fr
Aboard the B. Palissy II - trips every day. Also traditional boat trips aboard traditional wooden boats with a capacity of 40 people, trips every day except Mondays. Saturdays and Sundays you are offered a Charentais aperitif. You can also hire electric motor boats for 6 people each day from 1pm.

Punts Arçais, Marais Poitevin. Tel: 05 49 34 43 34
Punt and Canoe hire in the heart of Marais Poitevin. Punts with or without guard. Reservations in advance possible.

CHATEAUX

Château La Rochefoucauld, La Rochefoucauld. Tel: 05 45 62 07 42
A beautiful' Loire' chateau, but located much closer, 15 minutes north east of Angoulême. It has a great history and there are talks given in both French and English that detail it. There are caves to explore and some beautiful rooms that you can wander around at your leisure. Open Easter to October There is also an independent chocolaterie below the chateau, La Chocolaterie d¹Antan.

Château de Javarzay, Chef Boutonne. Tel: 05 49 29 86 31
Houses a museum of headdresses. Open Easter to October, Tuesday to Sunday 3pm - 6pm and bank holiday Mondays. Mid June to mid September Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 12noon and 3pm - 6pm. There is a large open space around the château, ideal for picnics, kite flying or just relaxing.

Château de Ducs de la Trémoille, Thouars. Tel: 05 49 66 17 65
This medieval château was built in 1158 and rebuilt in 1635. It is one of the few châteaux in the style of Louis XIII.

Château de Barbe-Bleue, Gilles de Rais. Tel: 02 51 65 70 51 - Web: www.château-barbe-bleue.com
The castle of Bluebeard. 3 hours of animation and spectacles that take you through the heart of the middle ages.

Château de Villandry, Villandry. Tel: 02 47 50 02 09
Villandry undoubtedly owes its fame to the splendid terraces of gardens, with a water garden, ornamental garden, and kitchen garden. It is one of the last of the great Renaissance châteaux built on the banks of the Loire. The interior was refitted in the 18th Century, and from the top of the medieval tower you have a superb view of the gardens and the Loire valley. 15 km west of Tours, a longer journey than most ideas given here, but a good château to visit.

Château d'Oiron, Oiron. Tel: 05 49 96 51 25
Built in the 16th Century by Henri II¹s grand equerry, the château was completely refurbished in the 17th Century. The painted gallery today
interacts with a collection of contemporary works inspired by the curio rooms of the Renaissance. Open June to September 10.30am - 6pm. October to May 10.30am - 5pm. Weekends and bank holidays 10am - 5pm. Closed 1 January, 1 May, 11 November and 25 December.

CHURCHES

Abbey Buildings, Nouaille-Maupertuis. Tel: 05 49 55 35 69
An outstanding set of abbey buildings. It was here that King John the Good was defeated by the Black Prince in 1356. Guided tours and medieval days in June. 11th and 12th Century abbey and medieval garden. Just south of Poitiers.

L'Eglise Saint-Hilaire, Saint-Pierre and Saint-Savinien
There are three Roman churches in Melle, all with a great deal of history and architecture between them. The Tourist Information office in Melle (English speaking) will give you full details of these and many other places of interest in the area.

L¹Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes. Tel: 05 46 97 48 48
An abbey with roman art from the 12th Century, including a shop specialising in literature and music. Open every day 10am - 12.30pm, and 2pm - 7pm.

Note:
Churches of interest are signposted from main roads and motorways and can be easily identified, e.g. Eglisé XIV éme Siecle = 14th Century church

MUSEUMS

Maritime Museum, Place B. Moitessier, La Rochelle. Tel: 05 46 28 03 00
Open July and August 10am - 7pm with lots of different exhibits and shows.

Reve Auto Jeaunesse, Mme Monique Mas, Mosnac. Tel: 05 45 96 02 25
Motor museum with over 200 models of unique vehicles.

Donjon Museum, Rue de Guesclin, Niort. Tel:05 49 28 14 28
A museum in a magnificent building. The lower 18th Century rooms house the archeological collection (Bronze and copper age, Roman-Gallic period and middle ages). There is also a reconstructed 1830¹s Poitevin style interior, with costumes, headdresses and local jewellery. Open May to September . Closed on Tuesdays.

La Maison Des Marais Mouilles, Place de la Coutume á Coulon. Tel: 05 49 35 8104
The wet marshes museum. The region¹s characteristics are related by the history of the area, with a 'marshscope' - a light and picture show on three screens. Open every day during the holiday season

Musée Jardin des Ruralies, Prahecq. Tel: 05 49 75 68 27
A museum with both indoor and outdoor exhibits; a garden with over 500 identified species, full of colour and scent; an exhibition detailing the farming of bees. A mini-farm, animals and history of agriculture. Open every day 10am - 6pm (7pm in the summer). 10km south east of Niort on the road between Aiffres and Vouillé. Free entry.

Vitrine Régionale des Métiers d'Art, 11 quai Cronstadt, Niort. Tel: 05 49 17 10 55
Art museum

Le Musée d'Agesci, Niort
This museum is currently under renovation, but will be re-opening shortly as a museum of sculpture and paintings.

Musée des Tumulus de Bougon, Bougon. Tel: 05 49 05 12 13
An extensive collection of archeological artifacts reflecting the history of the people who built these monumental ŒDolmens¹ more than 6,000 years ago. It consists of 5 tumuli with 8 burial chambers, that have now been found to have been built around 4,500 BC, i.e. 2,000 years before the Egyptian Pyramids. There is a replica house from a Neolithic village, workshops demonstrating basket-making, weaving and pottery and a hands-on experience for children.

Centre National de la Bande Dessinée et de l'Image, 121 rue de Bordeaux, Angoulême. Tel: 05 45 38 65 65 - Web: www.cnbdi.fr
This museum/gallery is the only one of its kind in France. Housing around 6,000 original drawings, tracing the history of the French cartoon from 1830 to the present day and including comic artists from all over the world. Every year several exhibitions are mounted with the Summer exhibitions designed to be of interest to young visitors.

NATURAL AREAS AND PARKS

Foret de Chizé, Chizé. Tel: 05 49 77 17 15
Discover wild animals and nature at its best in this forest that has a strong educational involvement. Picnic area.

Les Iles de Payré, North of Couhé on the RN 10. Tel: 05 49 59 10 55
Free access to the site all year round. Miniature port, electric karts, 2 hectares of golf, swimming, fishing and picnic areas.

Marais Poitevin, 6 rue de l'Église, Coulon. Tel: 05 49 35 14 14 - Web: www.maraispoitevin-evasion.com
Green Venice. A protected site that offers a maze of canals and channels, the result of a marriage between water and the earth. A unique environment, carefully preserved. Many interesting villages within this area, including Arçais, a village with a port overlooking an 18th castle; Sainsais/La Garette, a typical market garden village, and Le Vanneau-Irleau that holds traditional water markets. Punts, scenic trains and gondolas are available. Individual hire, guided tours or river cruises. To the west of Niort.

Melle, Chemin de la Découverte. Tourist Office: 3 rue Émilien Traver, Melle. Tel: 05 49 29 15 10
Melle is a very old town and there are maps available from the tourist office giving walks around and about the town. There is also a path which is a route of discovery, taking you along the old railway track, with information given along the way on the wildlife you may come across. This route covers three areas which cover six themes and can be done as three individual walks or completed as one large route totalling 6 km. Each section of the walk takes about 1 1/2 hours. There are over 1000 species of shrubs and roses from all over the world. There are several access points on to the routes and parking at various stages. The tourist office also has audio guides for hire.

Parthenay. Tel: 0 5 49 94 39 52
Mini-golf, tennis, fishing, play area and picnic area.

Sentier de la Maraîchine, Le Bourdet. Tel: 05 49 04 80 43
This is a circular walk that takes you through a fragile environment. Includes a park for a herd of marsh cattle and a flock of Poitevin Marsh
grey geese. Information boards show the way along the walk which also includes a botanical area. South-west of Niort.

WATER PARKS

Parc Aquatique, Avenue Lumiére, Périgny. Tel: 05 46 45 70 20
Pools, a park, and games for all the family.

Atlantys, 40 Chemin des Ports, Saint-Jean-D¹Angély. Tel: 05 46 59 21 50
An indoor water park, with a 54-metre toboggan, jacuzzis, and a variety of different pools for all age groups, including a competition-standard pool for serious swimmers. Also beauty rooms, aquagym, steam rooms and a high-level café from where you can watch the activity. Open summer holidays 10am - 8pm, other holidays 2.30pm - 6.30pm Monday to Sunday, 10am - 12.30pm every day except Wednesday and Saturday. Also open in school term time.

Centre Aquatique, Chatelaillon-Plage, Angoulins. Tel: 05 46 56 44 11 - Web: www.centre-aquatique.com
A constant 29° all year round. Giant water slide, aqua aerobics, sauna, gym room, water babies and lots of fun. 5 minutes south of La Rochelle.

GENERAL

La Caléche d'Arçais, 64 rue de la Garenne, Arçais. Tel: 05 49 35 40 29
Trips in a horse-drawn carriage through the unspoilt Marais.

Château de l'Oisellerie, La Couronne, Angouleme. Tel: 05 45 67 31 76
Planetarium that plays host to a variety of exhibitions. Open Saturdays and Sundays during exhibitions and every day during the school holidays. Shows at 3pm or 5pm.

La Cité des Tanneurs, Place de la Marie á Lavasseau. Tel: 05 49 43 77 67
A tannery where you can see the traditional methods and learn the history of the tannery with a number of activities. An authentic atmosphere.

Coudray-Salbart, Echiré. Tel: 05 49 25 71 07
A castle empty for over 400 years, the remains of Salbart Castle are impressive. Away from built-up areas the castle is isolated and neither
demolished or modified. It is in an excellent state and classified as an Historical Monument. Open to visitors April to October 9am - 7pm. November to March 9am - 12noon and 2pm - 5pm. North of Niort, but south of A83.

Le Foret de l'Aventure, Chantemerie. Tel: 06 81 45 71 37
An adventure forest that has rope ladders and pathways, platforms high up and aerial runways through the trees. You must be over 1.4 metres tall and under 18¹s must be accompanied by an adult. Sports shoes required. Safety equipment provided. . Open every day early July to August 10 am - 7pm. Last arrival 5pm. September weekends only 10am - 7pm. Also play area, picnic are and marked footpaths. Located close to Pescalis.

Futuroscope, Chassenuil-du-Poitou. Tel: 05 49 49 30 80 - Web: www.futuroscope.com
An amazing technical experience that has you riding through outer space, with 3D effects that have the whole room move with you. Cyberworld and lots more. Price dependent on season. Open high season 9am to end of evening spectacular, low season 9am - 6pm.

Les Grottes du Quéroy, Grottes du Quéroy, Chazelles. Tel: 05 45 70 38 14
Caves east of Niort, discovered in 1892. Tour lasts 45 minutes. A good place to visit and relax, with miniature golf, a bar/restaurant open all year-round. April to mid-June and September and October, Sundays 2pm - 6pm. July and August to the first Sunday in September every day 11am - 7pm.

Labyrinthus Cravans, Gémozac. Tel: 08 25 30 49 34 - Web: www.labyrinthus.com
An amazing selection of mazes made from hedges, wood, water and maize, along with actors, dancers and musicians hidden behind hedges or down dead-end paths. A typical forest village, craftsman workshops and an exhibition of the Indian culture. Open 10.30am - 7.30pm from early July to the beginning of September.

Logis du Breuil Coiffault, Hanc. Tel: 06 98 77 36 15
This 15th Century château is under restoration and has a French-style garden, rose garden and maize. Guided tours of the interior and the gardens Sunday and public holidays 2pm - 6pm from Easter to the end of September. Weekdays mid-July to mid-August.

Mines d'Argent. Melle. Tel: 05 49 29 19 54 - Web: www.mellcom.fr/mines
These silver mines were worked from the 5th to the 10th Century and are the oldest mines that can be visited in Europe. They are the mines of the Frankish kings and include an explanation of geology and the Carolingian methods of mining and minting money. There is also an
award-winning experience in sound. Open 1 March to 31 May and 1 October to 5 November at weekends and public holidays 2.30pm - 6.30pm, and 1 June to 30 September 10am - 12 noon and 2.30pm - 7.30pm. Free entry for under 6's.

Moulin des Pierres Blanches, Villefagnan. Tel: 05 45 29 58 29
14th Century windmill complete with sails. Guided tours from 1 July to 20 August afternoons (except Wednesday), 10 minutes west of the RN10 at Ruffec.

Pescalis, Moncoutant. Tel: 05 49 72 00 01
The first of its kind in Europe, this centre has exhibitions and an underground tour with aquariums to provide an unforgettable visit. There is
100 hectares of water, and the visit caters for families, children and adults in separate areas. Night fishing, lesson and equipment hire all
available. Exhibition/aquarium, Open all year for fishing, Easter to September for the underground tour.

Place Forte de Brouage, Brouage. Tel: 05 46 85 77 77
The centre of European military architecture in the heart of the Halle au Vivres. An exhibition of the workrooms recreated from the plans. Discover the secrets of the art of defence. Enjoy the trails that will transform the visit into an adventure.

La Vélo-Rail Stations, at Marot, Parthenay & Ansac. Tel: 05 45 71 16 64
A scenic and extraordinary way to see the countryside, by cycling along a railway line on specially designed platforms, up to 17km if you feel up to it! Each Œplatform¹ can take 5, including 2 pedalling. There is also a station at Roumazieres-Loubert. Booking recommended in the summer months.July and August 10am -9pm. May, June and September 2pm - 7pm.