Sunflower Gites

Holiday accommodation in Menigoute, Poitou Charente, France

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Local attractions

The historic towns nearby are St Maixent l'Ecole, Parthenay and Vasles (Mouton Village).

Locally there is:

At Les Forges a superb 27-hole gold course - Golf Des Forges, with an English-speaking pro on hand. Their website is also available in English, just look for the UK flag.
Bois Pouvreau with a beautiful lake for fishing, woodland walks with large curiously shaped natural rocks, picnic area, crazy golf, children's playground and Boules area.

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Futuroscope is an adventure park with simulators, 3D films and many other exciting attractions. There are also large firework and laser displays during the evenings. Recommended for ages 8+ and big kids! Their website is also available in English, just look for the UK flag.
Le Grand Breuil (at Rouille) for Karting. So good that one family visiting Montifault went twice. Also available is Quads , Mini Motos, Paint Balling & Cross-Cars. Ideal for families with teenagers! www.promosportsfrance.net
La Vallee des Singes - Monkey Valley at Romagne. Over 350 monkeys live in freedom and harmony in this wooded nature reserve. A really good day out, take a picnic, feed the monkeys, see the gorillas and visit the farm yard area with goats, sheep, chickens etc. The kids will love it.
Le Chateau des Aigles - Eagles Castle at Chauvigny. Hovering between a fear of heights and an ecological introduction to birds of prey, discover the Chateau des Aigles. Set in breathtaking surroundings of the medieval town of Chauvigny.
Lambon Park - country park with a huge lake, walks, fishing, boats for hire, sandy beach. Ideal for small children as there is a really shallow area, safe for swimming, life guards etc. Play area with slide swings etc. The boating area is roped off for safety. Take a picnic and spend the day doing what you wish, or take the children on the train ride round the park!

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Fete Des Traditions Paysannes. (1st Sunday in August.) - Go back in time and see the whole village dress up in traditional costume, watch the procession on its journey through Menigoute village to Bois Pouvreau. In the afternoon you can see how they used to harvest and bale the straw in years gone by. Soak up the ambiance of a traditional French carnival. Disco and firework display in the evening.

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The historic town of La Rochelle is well worth a visit. The Aquarium La Rochelle, it is one of the best! Their website is also available in English, just look for the UK flag.

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Sanxay - From the 1st to the 4th centuries, Sanxay was an important place for cures and pilgrimages. The remains of the largest buildings (temples, ampitheatres and baths) are the main feature of this site. Sanxay is one of the best preserved and most interesting sanctuaries of the Gallo-Roman world.

Slightly further a field are the towns of Niort, Melle, Cognac, Angouleme, Limoges, Saintes, La Rochelle and Poitiers.