The River Creuse meets the River Gartempe 4 kilometres from Yzeures in La Roche Posay which has been a spa since the middle ages, famous for its healing waters and now a centre of expertise in dermatology and skincare products. Consequently during the summer months there is an influx of people to this lovely town perched above the river with its old buildings, welcoming hotels, bars, shops and restaurants, golf course, casino and horse racing course (races throughout the summer). There is a little market in the square on Tuesday and Friday mornings. While on holiday treat yourself to a massage or relaxing water therapy.

4 kilometres in the other direction from La Forge is the village of Tournon St Martin which is on the edge of the Natural Wildlife Park of the Brenne, famous for its birdlife, flora and fauna, with its visitor centres, birdwatching hides and restaurants with panoramic views over the lakes for which the Brenne is famous. There are lots of beautiful walks, bike and horse rides mapped out in the Brenne. Tournon has a specially constructed kayak course.

Angle sur Anglin is very near, one of the “most beautiful villages in France” with its castle ruins high above the river, as well as many other tucked away villages where you can stop and relax in a friendly bar, café or restaurant and eat good food for remarkably little. Chauvigny boasts a series of five castle sites up on its sharp crags, a velo rail, a birds of prey show and a busy Saturday market, while in nearby St Savin there are the UNESCO World Heritage ceiling frescoes in the Abbey, depicting bible stories.

Twenty minutes’ drive alongside the river Creuse takes you to Le Blanc a great place to head on a Saturday morning to its busy local produce market. Stay for coffee or lunch in the typically French Bar Theatre where you can watch the world go by.

  

Hire a flat-bottomed boat and row along the River Creuse or go course fishing in a wide range of rivers and small lakes. Discover the cave houses (maisons troglodytes) which are still lived in all around this area or go into any of the numerous old churches, each one with its history dating back often to the 12th century.

Sporting Activities

Rambling, horse riding, bike riding, golf, fishing (lake or river), tennis, canoeing, bird-watching – all are close by.

Chateaux

Many of the wonderful castles of the Loire Valley are around one hour’s drive: Chenonceau, Azay le Rideau, Amboise, Chinon, Ussé, Villandry, and many more.

  

Chenonceau

  

Villandry

  

Cheverny

Wines

Why not have a day out visiting some of the vineyards? Chinon, Vouvray, Saumur are some of the most famous wines of this region, where you can follow the wine trails to the well-known “caves”. But there are many small local vineyards also waiting to welcome you to taste their wines.

Casino and Nightclub

Wine and dine and try your luck on the machines or tables in the Casino at La Roche Posay or dance the night away at the nightclub Sylchriste just outside La Roche.

Other Interesting Visits

The wildlife park in beautiful countryside half an hour away where you can walk or ride a bike and take a picnic then drive round other parts to see the animals roaming free. Or visit the museum of Prehistory where local finds are exhibited in a castle high up above Le Grand Pressigny (20 mins). Call in at the Abbey at Fongambault (10 mins) and listen to the monks singing Gregorian chants. Visit the Aigle factory shop and get some bargains in country casual wear or the porcelaine factory shop in Chauvigny for some beautiful tablewear at bargain prices.

Loches, 35 minutes’ drive north is a beautiful old small town, with Louis XI castle and keep well worth a visit. It also has little cobbled streets, the River Indre running through it and lots of choice of cafes and restaurants.

Tour and Poitiers are both beautiful larger towns with good shops and restaurants. The old town centre in Poitiers with its narrow streets and cafes overlooking the church are worth visiting as is the medieval square and lively artists’ quarter in Tours.

Futuroscope the famous science park is 45 minutes away, just north of Poitiers.