The Deux Sèvres is the least known part of the Poitou-Charentes region but you will be amazed by what it has on offer!
Le département des Deux Sèvres est le moins connu de la région Poitou-charentes mais vous serez surpris de voir ce qu'il offre!


Should you wish to seek inspiration from the beautiful local surroundings and improve your drawing and painting skills, Keith Dunkley, R.A. schools trained and former tutor at Sheridan College, Toronto will be pleased to offer advice and the possibility of informal painting lessons. 
Rates are :7,50 euro/hour/person, minimum 4 people and  2 hours..
Keith is fully registered with the Maison des Artistes, siret no : 400 663 316 00018.
Tarifs : 7,50e/heure/personne, minimum 4 personnes et 2 heures. Logis de la Baronnière :             www.parcs-et-jardins.fr 

Lezay and its wonderful weekly market!
Much appreciated by all our visitors and only  5mns away from home, don’t miss the very large and colourful market  on Tuesday morning, one of the largest in the region. There are also a few restaurants, bars, shops and a supermarket open even on Sunday morning until 11 45AM..
Birdwatching
The property is situated in a small hamlet, 5mns by foot from the river Dive within the Natura 2000 wildlife protected zone, perhaps you could catch a glimpse of some of the   15 protected species of birds, including the Little Bustards, Honey Buzzards,  Montague’s & Marsh Harriers, Wood Sandpipers, Short beard Owls, Black & Bed Kites, Stone Curlews etc.. 
La propriété est située dans un petit hameau à 5mn à pied de la rivière Dive, dans la zone de protection Natura 2000, peut-être pourrez-vous entrevoir ou entendre certaines des espèces présentes dont beaucoup sont protégées :
​ http://www.ornitho79.org/

The Monkey Valley/ La Vallée des singes
Discover the largest concentration of chimpanzees in Europe. Meet 34 primate species in a place where more than 400 animals roam within 15 hectares of a natural wooded park area. Chimpanzees, and the largest gorilla colony in France. Watch feeding-times throughout the day. Since it opened, Monkey Valley has seen over 700 births.       http://www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr/

Green Venice/Le Marais Poitevin
Is a large area of marshland forming a maze of picturesque,  leafy man made canals, many of which you can now explore, by either  hiring  a guide or  rowing yourselves. You may also hire bicycles. The Marais Poitevin is only 45mns away.  
A seulement 45mn, découvrez ce lieu exeptionnel que vous pourrez découvrir en louant une barque ou un kayak ou vous "faire promener" ou louer des vélos.      
    http://www.visit-poitou-charentes.com/en/Marais-poitevin

Cycling/Walking
The local lanes and roads are ideal for cycling and walking, however we cannot supply bikes ourselves, if you wish to hire bikes, we suggest you contact BikeHireDirect which could deliver bikes for you, check their website for info : www.bikehiredirect.com

Cyclisme/Marche à pied : Les petites routes  et les chemins qui traversent les champs vous permettront de découvrir la nature. 

Antiques/Brocante markets
Our favourite Sunday morning exercise!  During the summer season, there are large brocantes nearby: 
-Château de Javarzay, Chef Boutonne : 3d Sunday of June, one of the best ones if not the best..
-Abbaye Celles-sur-Belle : 1st Sunday of July, very large, beautiful settings..
-Sainte Soline : 3d Sunday of July, very large, nearest to the house.
-Sauze-Vaussais : 2nd Sunday of August, very large

Melle : 
Under 20mns away is a very nice town with 3 beautiful Romanesque churches, one of which is Unesco listed, an ancient silver mine which you can visit and a lovely walk organised around the town. You will also find plenty of  shops, bars,  restaurants, supermarkets etc..  
A moins de 20mn, une petite cité de caractère qui possède 3 belles églises romanes dont une inscrite au patrimoine de l'Unesco, des mines d'argent de l'époque Carolingienne (qui se visite) et de belles balades à faire autour de la ville :  
http://www.francethisway.com/places/a/melle-deux-sevres.php
​
Poitiers 
Approx. 45mns away, you will find a very good selection of shops for children and adults (it’s not everywhere you will find a Zara shop in the vestiges of a Romanesque church!..), there is plenty of amazing heritage, from a very rare 4th century baptistère St Jean, the famous Romanesque church Notre Dame la Grande, the Palais des Ducs d’Aquitaine where the famous Alienore lived a while and plenty of bars, cafés, restaurants etc..
The famous Futuroscope park just outside Poitiers is of course a great attraction.  
A environ 45mn, vous trouverez une grande sélection de boutiques, bars, restaurants. Les amoureux de l'histoire et du patrimoine pourrons suivre les traces d'Alienor d'Aquitaine et de Jeanne d'Arc dans le Palais des ducs d'Aquitaine, découvrir un bâtiment rare et unique, le baptistère St jean datant du 4ème siècle (plus vieux monument chrétien d'Occident)  et plusieurs églises romanes dont Notre Dame La Grande et l'église St Hilaire inscrite au patrimoine de l'Unesco. 
Poitiers  http://www.francethisway.com/places/poitiers.php   
 Futuroscope

La Rochelle
Its wealth acquired through its sea trading is still very evident through its rich heritage, nowadays, the old port medieval towers only guard yachts  and the many restaurants and bistros which spread around it and create a great ambiance. It features the largest marina  on the Atlantic Coast and plenty of shops in the old town. Don't miss the wonderful aquarium! . The trendy Ile de Ré and its lovely sandy beaches should not be missed either. 
Sa richesse acquise grâce à son commerce maritime est encore très évidente dans son riche patrimoine et aujourd'hui les tours qui flanquent l'entrée du port se contentent de  garder les yatchs. De nombreuses terrasses de  bars et restaurants créent une ambiance estivale, de même que la marina la plus importante de la côte Atlantique. Ne pas rater le bel aquarium ni l'ile de Ré, plus tendance que jamais!
La Rochelle : http://www.francethisway.com/places/larochelle.php     The Aquarium : http://www.aquarium-larochelle.com/en 
Ile de Ré : http://www.francethisway.com/places/iledere.php 
  
The Hermione:
The Hermione was a 12-pounder Concorde class frigate of the French Navy. She became famous when she ferried General Lafayette to the United States in 1780 to allow him to rejoin the American side of the American revolutionary War. She grounded and wrecked in 1793. In 1997, construction of a replica ship started in Rochefort, Charente Maritime, the new ship is named “L’Hermione” (Wikipedia)     L’Hermione  Youtube Hermione video 
 
Bougon
Several impressive and rare tumuli which date back 4700years BC, in a big park and a well designed  museum which presents exhibitions on related themes and organizes activities for children.
 De rares et impressionnants tumuli qui datent de 4700 av JC, entourés d'un beau parc et d'un musée bien conçu :  Bougon

Le Musée du vitrail et le Site Gallo-Romain de Sanxay
A well conceived little museum (please check their website which is enough to make you want to visit the museum ..) situated approx. 30mns away, in Curzay-sur-Vonne, you could then continue your trip to visit the impressive Gallo Roman site in Sanxay.
Un petit musée bien conçu qui explique et relate l'histoire des vitraux même les enfants ont apprécié! Musée du vitrail    
Et à deux pas, un site Gallo-romain qui vaut le détour :  
  Site Gallo Romain :  http://sanxay.monuments-nationaux.fr/ 

Le Château d'Oiron
Situated in the North of the department, near Thouars, this beautiful 16th century château features a collection of contemporary art based on the "cabinet of curiosities" theme but also offers rare 16th century frescoes and features which make it well worth the visit (photos in the photo gallery) Le château d'Oiron :    http://www.oiron.fr/

Chauvigny
Another medieval city worth a visit, we certainly enjoyed watching the display of the 
Encore une cité médiévale, plusieurs châteaux et nous avons apprécié le spectacle de Géants du ciel!
Géants du Ciel :  http://www.geantsduciel.com/GDC-UK/index.php



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