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Charente
Soleil is located in the Poitou Charente region. Its mild climate - 2,250
hours of sunshine per year - makes it ideal for a naturist holiday. It
is the perfect base for just relaxing by the pool but there is also lots
to do if you can tear yourself away.
This is the real France with vast forests of oak and chestnut, fields of sunflowers and vineyards, rivers bordered by mediaeval towns and villages and a relaxed pace of life.
In Poitou-Charente, eating is always a feast with fish from the sea, shellfish such as the renowned Marennes-Oléron oysters and also freshwater-fish: eel, trout and pike. Other mouth-watering local recipes make the most of prime meat and wild fowl and there are fine butters and cheeses. Also popular are Cognac, the Pineau des Charentes (an aperitif of grape juice and Cognac), and the light fruity wines from Haut-Poitou, Deux-Sèvres and Charente. For more "serious" wine, the vineyards of Saint Emilion are within easy reach.
Cultural, sporting and other special events:
Angoulême is known as the "City of Festivals". Click here for details of forthcoming events.
Things to see and do in the immediate area:
Ian & Ena:
"This area of France was previously unknown to us and it has certainly made a good impression"
- Forêt de la Braconne - Right on our doorstep. Walking and cycling on miles of farm and forest trails. Wildlife in abundance - Wild boar, deer, red squirrels, buzzards, golden orioles, hoopoo etc.
- Canoeing or fishing on the river Charente.
- A choice of bars and restaurants serving everything from classical French cuisine to British bar meals.
Chris & Michelle:
"A beautiful part of France"
Chapelle de Courcome
- Romanesque churches in virtually every village.
- Gardens open to the public including the fuchsia garden at Mansle and the mediaeval monastic garden at Tusson.
- La Rochefoucauld chateau - Open to the public but privately owned by a family whose ancestral tree includes Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots and several other British monarchs.
La Rochefoucauld
Richard & Wendy:
"So many lovely places to discover"
- Angoulême - capital of the Charente set on a hill-top surrounded by ramparts.
- Cognac - The most celebrated "eau de vie" in the world. Visit the distilleries and enjoy a tasting or two!
- Lacs de Haute Charente - Water sports of all descriptions with beaches for bathing.
- Les grottes du Quéroy - Limestone cave formations.
Barbara & Peter:
"So many places of interest"
Valley
des Singes - Wildlife park with many species of monkey.- Oradour - WWII martyr village of the French resistance preserved exactly as it was when the villagers were massacred as a reprisal.
- Paper making museum and mills in Angoulême.
- Rouillac fair - Really a large market. Once a month on the 27th. Hundreds of stalls selling everything from local produce and livestock to grandfather clocks!
- Silver mines at Melle - Dating back to Roman times.
Day trips:
Bob & Bridget:
"Oradour-sur-Glane - a very moving experience"
"The sound & smell of a traditional French evening market which made this so special for us"
Futuroscope
- Royan and the coast - One of France's largest seaside resorts. Several naturist beaches nearby.
- Limoges - If you're interested in porcelain then this is the place to go.
- Futuroscope - Futuristic theme park dedicated to computerised technology and robots.
- Bordeaux and vineyards - Take home a case or two.
- Aubeterre - "One of the most beautiful villages in France".
Aubeterre