Local Area and Activites

Our hamlet is situated on the borders of the departments of Maine et Loire and Deux Sevres in the far north of the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine, and its location provides a wide range of places to visit and activities including:

Wine tasting: Our French friends/neighbour owns the 33 hectares of vineyards surrounding our property and produces some extremely good, award- winning red, white and rosé wines and white and rosé crèmant (sparkling wines). Visit https://www.vinsdomainedelagachere.fr/ There are numerous other vineyards to visit and we would recommend trying Coteaux du Layon, a sweet and delicious wine unique to the area.

The area is perfect for walking/hiking and cycling.

Swimming/water activities: There is a fantastic new indoor and outdoor pool in Thouars (20 mins drive away) with water slides, water shoot, children's pool, play pool, Jacuzzi and beach volley ball. There is also a fantastic chlorine-free outdoor fun pool at Argenton Les Vallées (20 mins) and kayaking on the river Argenton. Vihiers also has a swimming pools (just 20 mins drive away). There is another large public indoor pool at Doue La Fontaine, with a children's pool, with water shoot and Jacuzzi. A little further to Saumur and you will find a swimming lake with manmade beach, with water cannon, very safe and a great day out with food available on site or take a picnic.

Kayak/Canoe/Paddle - Thouars - http://www.thouarscanoekayak.fr (15 mins)

Tennis - public court in Cléré sur Layon and Neuil sur Layon

Golf - several in the local area all less than 1 hour's drive away.

Go Karting (international track 15 mins) www.pks-loisirs.fr (brilliant morning or afternoon out for children and adults)

Children's petting farm (pedagocial) - 15 minute walk away (by appointment)

Nearest beach - Sables d'Olonnes (1.5 hours drive)

The beautiful and historical port at La Rochelle on the Vendee coast with its many restaurants is a doable 2 hour’s drive away

Parc de la Vallée (family adventure park), Massais (15 mins) www.parcdelavallee.com - recommended for younger children

l'Etang Parc de Loisirs is another family fun park at Brissac Quince, (30 mins) www.parc-etang.com - well worth a visit, a truly fun day out.

Zoo: Doue La Fontaine, one of the best in Europe (20 mins) www.zoodoue.fr new African park now open

Theme parks:

Terra Botanica (Angers) www.uk.terrabotanica.fr (45 mins)

Puy du Fou (south of Cholet) www.puydufou.com (1 hour)

Futuroscope (Poitiers) www.futuroscope.com (1.5 hours)

The pretty and historical town of Thouars is well worth a visit, including the large general and covered food market every Tuesday and Friday.

Antique markets take place every Sunday throughout the month in the local area.

There are plenty of supermarkets in the area and a little local one, Sitis (5 mins drive away in Neuil sur Layon) where you can buy excellent fresh meat and veg and general groceries. Open Sunday mornings.

Sightseeing: numerous châteaux, museums etc. For more information about the area visit