The area
The Charente-Maritime on the south west coast of France enjoys the long hot summers and mild winters so necessary for the production of the fine grapes used make wonderful wines and cognac. Located with the Atlantic to the west with its 200km of coastline, the Charente and Dordogne to the east and the Gironde to the south, the Charente-Maritime is a magnificent and exceptional part of France. This is a quiet agricultural area, mostly vineyards and sunflower fields and maize, yet close to the sea.

The population density for the Charente Maritime is on a par with Cumbria – England’s least populous county – for those used to Britain’s congested roads the comparative peace of rural French roads makes driving a pleasure again. Royan, 40 minutes to the west of La Renaudrie, is a popular holiday destination for the French who enjoy the excellent beaches and appreciate the local oysters, mussels and freshly caught fish. All the local restaurants have excellent fresh fish dishes. A visit to the morning fish market in Royan is a pleasurable education!

For those who enjoy the famous liquid tastes of France
The local vineyards are famous for their production of Cognac. Pineau des Charentes, the local aperitif, is a blend of Cognac and grape juice and delicious when served cold. There are many local tiny wineries and distilleries where one can taste and buy wine, Cognac and Pineau directly from the producers. Just follow the hand-made signs on the sides of roads. La Renaudrie is 40 minutes away from Cognac, an interesting town to visit. We are also 45 minutes from wonderful St. Emilion and less than an hour from Bordeaux. The nearby world-famous wine region of Medoc is worth visiting as are the nearer Cotes de Bourg and Cotes de Blaye.

The local climate
The local microclimate gives this area the more hours of sunshine than any part of France other than the Mediterranean. The average 2,330 hours of sunshine a year enjoyed by La Rochelle is 21% more than Biarritz. With this amount of sun, there is less time for rain; La Rochelle has 77% less rain than Biarritz and it compares well with England too - Falmouth has 61% more rain.

There is often a slight breeze to take the heat off, but don’t forget to put on the sunscreen even out of season. The local area around La Renaudrie has a very favourable microclimate as the Medoc peninsula, on the other side of the Gironde estuary, provides shelter from the Atlantic storms.

Beaches
La Renaudrie is about 40 minutes away from sandy beaches at Meschers sur Gironde and St Georges de Didonne. As you travel west the beaches get smarter and at Royan. You can hire a blue and white striped tent and join the ultra-smart set.

Les Mathes on the other side of Royan has wonderful beaches for surfing. It set in a forest with 30km of beach and cycle paths looking out to the sea and the Ile d’Oleron. Both the Ile d’Oleron and Ile de Re have miles of fabulous beaches.

Towns and villages worth visiting –
The nearest village to La Renaudrie is St Ciers-du-Taillon. There is a small supermarket; the village also has a boulangerie, charcuterie, post office, wine merchants and excellent chemist/pharmacist. It suffers through being on the D730 road leading to Royan.

Mirambeau, is about ten minutes away and is the nearest town, it boasts a Super U supermarket, a wonderful boulangerie (Lannuzel), two hairdressers plus a range of other shops. It has a Saturday morning market and a fair on the last Saturday of the month.

Royan is one of the most prestigious seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast, a favorite with the French. Rebuilt since the Second World War, it has a fifties charm and ultra smart beaches.

To the west of Royan is 'Zoo de La Palmyre' the most visited tourist attraction in the Charente-Maritime. This is a breeding zoo, with an emphasis on conservation, so leaving many of the 1,600 animals free to roam.

Les Jardins du Monde is a flower and leisure park with tropical greenhouse, orchid exhibition, collection of bonsai, theme gardens and themed landscapes around a lake such as a Japanese garden; bamboo maze and children’s play area. (Tel: 05 46 38 00 09).

Take your car on the short ferry crossing over the Gironde to the Medoc where you can tour visit the great Claret producing estates or surf on long sandy Atlantic beaches.

Hard core anglers might wish to try deep-sea fishing. Whilst those less adventurous can see the wonderful Gironde estuary on boat trips to the Cote de Beaute: Web site: http://www.royancroisieres.fr

For the evenings try the Casino Barriere by the Pontaillac beach, open every day until 3am, for roulette, stud poker and Black jack. Its Atlantic café has quiet areas, plenty of cocktails and somewhere to eat. Live music on Saturdays from 10pm.

Saintes is the nearest major town and is set on the Charente River - said by François I to be the most beautiful in France, (he was born in Cognac). The town still retains many echoes of its Roman origins - see the Arc de Germanicus dating from 18AD, close to the centre of town, standing alongside the main bridge.

Just off the main street is the oldest quarter with an interesting array of shops in pedestrianised streets. There are street markets twice a week and then on the first Monday of each month the entire town centre is closed for a large street market. You can hire electric boats on the Charente or else take trips on traditional wooden boats (Tel: 05 46 74 23 82). Saintes is 45 minutes away.

La Rochelle grew from a fishing village to become a major port in the 12th century. Today the busiest yachting centre on the French Atlantic coast it is famous for its three outstanding medieval towers and picturesque old port. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to relax in after visiting the boutiques and shops in old town. The Aquarium is an amazing with varieties of fish from sharks through to tiny multi-coloured thingies. (Tel: 05 46 34 00 00). You can take an excursion boat for a trip past Fort Boyard for a day or half day (Tel: 05 46 50 68 44). La Rochelle is about 1 hour 20 minutes away.

Rochefort has a pedestrianised area near the seafront – with smart bars, excellent places to watch the world go by between bouts of shopping. The faithful full size reconstruction of the eighteenth century frigate Hermione is worth a visit, giving a real insight into the great age of sail, but we must admit we have lacked the inclination to see the famous royal rope factory though we are told that it is well worth a visit.

Cognac is still has the feel of a sleepy county town, the stone has been turned from honey-coloured to grey by the evaporation of the famous product. (As Pa Larkin said “Wonderful people the French - fancy naming a town after a drink!”) Take the interesting, well-run tours round the distilleries of Remy Martin, Otard, Martell and Hennessey then if you are in a fit state, stroll around the Parc du François I and take a boat trip along the River Charente.

Jonzac 25 minutes away, has good facilities with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants and a beautiful chateau in the centre of the town. Les Antilles, Is a ‘West Indies’ swimming complex for all year round swimming, with a tropical Lagoon with wave pool, a 60-meter waterslide, waterfalls and geysers all in a tropical temperature. There are also Jacuzzis, health spa, and saunas. For those not participating there is a high level café from which you can watch all the activity or a tropical pathway with seating and a café/bar at the end. The complex has a small stage area and holds cabaret and theme evenings.

The Casino de Jonzac has a cocktail bar and restaurant for those who tire of the roulette and black jack.

Pons Le Chateau des Enigmes is a day out that can amuse all family members over seven. There is a game of 23 puzzles that take you (as a sailor) across the park to the chateau with all kinds of clues. When you end up at the chateau you type in all your answers into a computer that lets you know how well you have done. It is highly recommended; take a picnic lunch with you.

Pons also boasts a couple of highly recommended restaurants.

Villages to see
Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, this side of Royan, has its own long sandy beach. It has a relaxed family atmosphere.

Meschers The nearest beach is in the village of Meschers, which has several sandy coves for swimming and sunbathing. Plage des Nonnes has a bar and restaurant on the beach that is well thought of. You can also visit the caves that have been hollowed out of the white cliffs overlooking the Gironde. Indeed there are guided visits to discover the history and legends of the caves (so the literature says). Tel: 05 46 02 55 36.

Talmont, situated on the Gironde estuary, has a beautiful 11th century fortified church, St Radegonde that sits on a small peninsula rock overlooking the estuary. Explore the village of Talmont, which dates back to the 13th C, with its old narrow streets lined with hollyhocks, shops, small museums and restaurants.

St Thomas de Conac near to La Renaudrie has an excellent boulangerie and a bar (Café des Sports) run by an English couple.

What to do
Nature reserve (Pole Nature) at Vitrezay – This wildlife centre, fully opened for the first time in 2005, is local to La Renaudrie and well worth a visit particularly in the migratory season. 10 kms away.

Paths lead out into the marais through the wetlands with observation hides. There is also an exhibition centre and throughout the season various different entertainments and special events are laid on. There is a restaurant-bar with a panoramic view of the estuary; you can take a boat trip over to Pauillac on the other side of the Gironde. There is the opportunity to try your hand at a number of activities, including fishing in various forms, canoeing, sailing or going out in a sea kayak. There are day and evening trips on a gabare and you can even rent a genuine carrelet by the hour, day or night! If you need to telephone Vitrezay for further information English is spoken. Tel (05 46 49 89 99).

Futuroscope - The French version of Disneyland, has amazing technical experiences with a variety of ‘rides’ for the young or young at heart. It is near Poitiers two hours away, up the A10.

Riding - There are a number of stables to be found in the area, the nearest being "Le Haras" at St.Thomas de Conac (10 mins), with accompanied riding available by the hour or by the day. Tel: 00 33 (0) 5 46 86 03 22.

Golf - The south Charente-Maritime is good for golfers as there are three excellent 18 hole golf courses not too far from La Renaudrie.

· Near Saintes there is Golf de Saintes Rouyer Guillet, La Grange, 43 Route Golf, 17100 Fontcouverte, Tel: 00 33 (0) 5 46 74 27 61.
· To the west at Royan is Golf de Royan, www.golf-de-royan.com at 7 avenue Palmyre, 17420 St. Palais sur Mer, Tel: 00 33 (0) 5 46 23 16 24.
· Near Cognac we see Golf du Cognac at 2 rue Maurie, St. Brice, Tel: 0033 (0) 5 45 32 18 17.
· A Golf Pass can be bought entitling 10 days use of all three at around €75 (Sept-June, 2002 prices) and €90 (June-Sept, 2002 prices). E-mail: cdt17@marcireau.fr
· In addition, there is a smaller 9-hole course available at Montendre (30 mins). Tel: 00 33 5 46 49 40 31. E-mail: hubert.ducau@free.fr.

Bird Watching - There are always birds of prey circling in the area and you are likely to see black redstarts, cuckoos, black kites, hen harriers, buzzards, goshawks, herons, pied flycatchers and hoopoes, amongst others. The area as a whole is excellent for spotting migratory birds (particularly spring and autumn).

The Charente-Maritime is located in the Mid-Atlantic region known as the "East Atlantic Flyway" an important crossroads for migratory birds. Every year, between August and November, the area becomes the meeting point for birds escaping the winter cold. They migrate south to spend their winters on warmer lands of the Northeast-Southwest axis between Western Europe and South Africa.

Le Village des Oiseaux at Cadeuil (Tel: 05 46 94 43 49) is an ornithological park of three hectares.

At Rochefort, about an hour away, 74 hectares of ecological lagoons welcome thousands of birds each year.

Walking - If you want to "do you own thing" there are endless miles of quiet country roads, estuary side walks and beaches to stroll around at your leisure.

For motor enthusiasts - Reve Auto Jeaunesse at Mosnac has a collection of over 200 models of unique vehicles (1900-1960) and Nos Belles Motos at Gensac- La Pallue has an exhibition of 150 motorcycles.

House hunting - Please also note that if you are looking for a home in this wonderful part of France, www.kaydreamhomes.com.fr has a regularly updated selection of properties and unlike most immobilier the prices quoted include the taxes and extras. Also Christopher Kay and his colleagues will work with you in English.