1 min drive from the Gemozac/Cozes road (Directions/Map) 5km from the supermarket, shops, swimming pools & covered market of Cozes, 10 min drive to the Gironde river &
15 to Royan's wonderful beaches, 1 hr to La Rochelle & a little more if you take the vineyard route to Bordeaux.
This area of France is ideal for summer breaks with over 220 days
of sunshine a year.It has its own microclimate which keeps average temperatures in the mid 20`s during the summer months
of June - Sept offering an extended holiday season. Local produce includes the Pineau aperitif, red & white wines,
mussels, oysters, fish from the Gironde & Atlantic, maize, wheat, fruits including Charente melon, apples, &
even an organic farm in nearby Gemozac.
Available at the house itself:
Pool, tree swing,boules,fishing rods,books,games for all ages,childrens toys, TV,video,DVD - available for a
small hire fee are cycles ,tennis rackets & golf clubs.
Local events include moonlit markets, music festivals,open days at the local vineyards, summer festivals,brocantes,craft
fairs & art exhibitions, african festivals and artisan's markets.
St Andre de Lidon
3 min drive or an easy cycle takes you into the village with a boulangerie, general store, post office, hairdresser,
garage and bar/restaurant. There is a small river with picnic facilities, tennis courts for hire & 1 km out of town
is Chateau Deau - a local producer of Pineau with a splendid garden, museum and guided tours. Horseriding is available nearby at Epargnes,fishing
at a number of commercial fishing lakes & of course river,estuary & sea fishing.
Cozes
5km away with everything you need, outdoor summer pool, tennis, mini golf, supermarket (with boulangerie,
fresh fish shop & dry cleaning), bars, banks, chemist, garages, covered traditional market (Wednesday), tourist office, fuel,
hairdressers,clothes, newspapers. A little further out of town you will find the ancient Roman site of Fa with a new (2005)interactive
museum & Talmont, the historic 12th century village with picture postcard pedestrian streets & ancient church. On
the main road to Royan there is an agrucultural museum & for the more adventurous flying & parachuting & every
watersport you can imagine at Royan
Above left is theXII century Church & to the right of that the XIV century covered market at Cozes
(which still operates weekly & has Moonlit markets in the summer). Visible Roman influence still exists in many of the
roads, buildings & town names.
5 minutes drive out of Cozes is the beautiful fishing village of Talmont (see below)- perched
on the edge of a promentary with restaurants a small craft village and beautiful pedestrian only streets. see www.bernezac.com/Talmont_uk.htm
Fa - Just 2 km from Talmont is the archaeological dig
at Fa - an ancient Roman site which has a fascinating hi-tech museum opened in 2005
Meschers - Has a beautiful fishing port, half a dozen good fish restaurants, a market,excellent
shops & wonderful hidden coves & child friendly beaches
A quick trip north up the coast takes you through a beautiful coast road winding through the pine forests
of Royan through to the Oyster beds & fishing huts of Tremblade (below). Here you find endless restaurants- combine this
with a trip across the bridge to the Ile d'Oleron & its fantastic restaurants & beaches.
In Jonzac(below)you will find an indoor swimming pool complex with slides & jacuzzi, historic
chateau, a maze of ancient walkways,working windmill a casino & a wednesday moonlit market in summer as well as a wide
range of shops & restaurants.
Gemozac is situated just 10 minutes away and has an organic farm, restaurants a racecourse, frequent
markets (Tuesday & Saturday)as well as a full range of shops including a large "Super U" supermarket.
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