Accomodation summary

• 	Sleeps six - two double rooms and one twin room
  	Parking for 4 cars
  	13th Century Farmhouse
  	Private Location
  	No pets permitted
  	Local information provided
  	TV, DVD, and satellite
  	Shops 4 miles
  	Barbeque
  	No Smoking

 

• A perfect example of a 13th Century French farmhouse in a superb location.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Les Bertieres.

The Poitou Charentes region is situated in the mid west of France stretching from it's north border near the Loire to it's south border near Bordeaux.  Within the Poitou Charentes lies the largely undiscovered department of the Deux Sevres, one of France's 'best kept secrets'.

The capital of the Deux Sevres is Niort, a typical prosperous french town.  Niort has good shops and a wonderful Crystal Palace style building sheltering an excellent market open every day except Sunday and Monday.  Next to it stands the Donjon one of the most striking twin towered castle keeps in France.

The Deux Sevres has a great variety, with the magnificent Chateau d'Oiron in the north and the forest of Chizé in the south.  The wetlands of the Marais-Poitevin on the border with Charente-Maritime offer a maze of waterways, and the best way to discover this area is by water.  There is even a floating market in the summer! 

Le Colombier is idealy situated to service the many attractions of the area.  Saumur and the Loire valley are less than an hour away.  Saumur is known as 'La perle d'Anjou' and with its bleached bourgeois houses is indeed one of the Loire's jewels.  You can spend a day shopping beneath the slate roofed houses along the cobbled pedestrian streets at the base of the fortified chateau.  Enjoy a relaxed lunch and include a boat trip on the river.  You could, of course spend a day wine tasting at the many vineyards in the area.   The Loire valley is home to some of the most magnificent chateaux in France.  Many of these are within easy reach and includes Ussé the inspiration for Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty.

Within 60 minutes you can visit the amazing Puy du Fou and Futuroscope both of which are among France’s most visited tourist attractions .  Or you can wander through the delightful Oriental Parc which is the largest Japanese garden outside Japan.  For fishing or relaxation you can vist Pescalis the largest man made fishing lake in Europe.  Visit the wonderful  Zoo at Doué set on two levels.  Taking a boat trip along the Loire at Saumur with it's many vineyards makes for an interesting days excursion.  Also of great interest is Fontevraud Abbaye royal, the largest monastic city in the west, the last resting place of Richard the Lionheart

Within 30 minutes why not visit the Activity Park at Moncontour which has a large lake with activities and its own beach. Ideal for children and adults alike, there is a restaurant overlooking the lake where activities include a nautical teleski course.

If you fancy a day on the coast La Rochelle or the Isle de Ré are within 90 minutes for a lazy day on the beach.

Parthenay, a 20 minute drive was, in the middle ages, one of the major fortresses in the Poitou region and still has over 100 half timbered houses.  These houses in the cobbled streets of the St Jacques district are home to various sculpture and enamelling workshops.

Thouars, also a 20 minute drive, is a beautiful built town on a spur of rock, encircled by the river Thouet.  On the left bank the impossing chateau looks down over the old town, with it's timbered houses on narrow streets, leading up to the old square.

Restaurants 

 There are many restaurants in the area and most offer excellent value for money. Of particular note are La Petite Marmite at Gourgé and La Sapinière at Bressuire both within 20 minutes 

Supermarkets and Shopping

The nearest village is St Aubin le Cloud, which is about 2 mins away, there is a Bakery, Butcher and village shop.
Nearest Supermarket is in Secondigny, which is a town 5 mins away, also you will find a petrol station, Restaurants, Theatre, Pharmacist, Bars, Touristique which has a Boating and Fishing Lake, Restaurant, Indoor Bowling, Outdoor Swimming Pool, Park, Picnic Areas and Outdoor Barbecue Areas.

There are several other shops and banks in Airvault about 3 miles distant. There are large supermarkets and  variety of shops in Bressuire, Parthenay and Thouars all within 20 minutes.

Local Open Air Markets

Bressuire - Tuesdays, Parthenay - Wednesdays, Thouars - Fridays.
All  have wonderful food stalls with fresh meat and fish counters, also local cheeses.  Best to go early as some start to pack up about mid-day.  Airvault has a very small market on Saturday mornings with fresh produce including fish, cheese and honey.

Golf Course

There are two excellent golf courses close to Parthenay within 30 and 45 minutes, and a further course at Fontevraud l'Abbaye 50 minutes away.  Fontevraud Abbey is itself a wonderful place to visit.

Tennis 

Lac du  Cebron 

Horse Riding

Armailloux and Parthenay 

Paris and Disney Land            

There is a high speed train to Paris from Niort and Poitiers which only takes 1 hour 15 mins, ideal for a day trip to Paris or Disney Land.

Should you have any questions or would like discuss special arrangements please feel free to contact us. We hope to welcome you to Les Bertieres.