Maison de Lavande, bed and breakfast for golf holidays, Poitou Charentes, France

Family Chambre d'hotes/B&B. Maison de Lavande is a converted farmhouse situated in the heart of the Charentaise countryside. Offering a warm welcome and a comfortable stay in a peaceful village with all facilities and many attractions close by.

Discounted rates apply for stays of 7 nights or more. From €43 a night, including continental breakfast. Evening meals are available on request at a supplement.

Poitou Charente has the reputation of being one of the sunniest spots in France, second only to the South of France. The countryside has undulating golden fields of sunflowers and maize, picturesque villages and wonderful walks and rivers. The area is well served with many sports facilities nearby, including golf, tennis and riding. For cyclists and ramblers, the countryside abounds with wildlife and there are wonderful vistas for a budding artist to capture.

Situated on the outskirts of the village of Bouin, Maison de Lavande is within easy reach of Niort which is served by the TGV line and the A10 motorway (10 minutes) which runs from Paris to Bordeaux. It is within an hour of both Poitiers, Limoges and La Rochelle airports, served by the budget airlines, nearest port is 4 hours away. Detailed map and directions given on booking.

Expect long hot summers and short winters. The region is second only to the Côte d’Azure in the average numbers of sunshine hours annually. Poitou-Charente has a warm, temperature climate thanks, in part, to the Gulf Stream. This is an unspoilt region of frequent blue skies and warm sunshine.

This region of France abounds in beautiful cities, ancient villages, rivers and forests. Deux Sèvres (capital Niort): Vienne (capital Poitiers): Charente (capital Angouleme)

Each of the 4 departments possesses its’ own regional identity, largely as a result of its geographical location. The western most region includes both flat, grain-producing plains and coastal marshland – much of it a protected nature reserve. Inland to the north lies the celebrated network of tranquil waterways and lush meadow known as the Marais Poitevin, whilst further south the Cognac area is characterized by its wealth of productive vineyards supplying grapes for both the illustrious brandy and its aperitif close relative, Pineau des Charentes. Elsewhere, in northern Charente and Vienne, for example, you will pass through gently undulating fields of sunflowers, maize, rape and wheat. Throughout the region, the landscape also features coppiced woodlands of chestnut, oak, cherry, holly and acacia, lending colour throughout the seasons. Here and there, lone mature walnut trees stand like sentinels. The effect, whatever the season, is both beautiful and rich in its variety.

The market towns of Chef Boutonne, Melle, Civray and Ruffec are on the doorstep and tourist attractions of Futuroscope (theme park), Niort, Cognac, Angouleme, Poitiers and La Rochelle are within easy reach.

Location and Local Facilities: We are situated in a tranquil corner of the village of Bouin in Poitou-Charentes, one of the sunniest regions in France. The region is rich in culture and history, with Romanesque architecture all around.

The gently rolling countryside is ideal for cyclists who prefer their bike rides not too strenuous, and there are pleasant local walks. This is the best way to observe the varied local bird life, which includes redstarts, golden orioles, hoopoes, and buzzards.

At the nearby town of Chef-Boutonne, the chateau at Javarzay is one of the most important Renaissance chateaux in Poitou, with park and fishing lake. About 20 minutes away is Melle, where you can visit the silver mines of the Frankish kings, and the ‘triad’ of Romanesque churches, or stroll through the themed arboretum. Within 30 minutes’ drive there are a number of zoological parks, a wide variety of museums, and golf courses.

A little further afield, but still within an hour’s drive, the Marais Poitevin offers trips along the maze of canals, the town of Saintes has Roman remains and Mediaeval churches and offers boat trips on the river Charente, while at Cognac you can visit the warehouses of the major Cognac producers.)

At Poitiers, the Futuroscope is a vast theme park with attractions to suit all ages and special shows during the summer. On the Atlantic coast you will find a number of characterful seaside towns such as La Rochelle, with its fine port and towers, maritime museum and aquarium, or Rochefort, 18th century naval town with its imposing ‘Corderie Royale’ (rope factory.

For music and culture lovers, the region has a wealth of annual music and dance festivals, for example, classical music or jazz at Melle (late May) Saintes (July), or Angouleme (September/October); folklore at Confolens (August); or cinema at La Rochelle (June/July).

Golf:
Poitiers Manoir de Beauvoir Golf Club
Just 9k east of Poitiers at Mignaloux, this pretty course is set in the wooded grounds of the Manoir de Beauvoir hotel, with water coming into play on eight holes. Golfers will find it very varied and to an international level with many interesting holes.
Tél. : 05 49 55 10 50

Niort
The Golf Club de Niort has an 18 hole course with a par of 72 over 5868 metres. It has 30 practice bays (10 sheltered) a putting green, a pitching green and a pitch-and-putt.
www.golfclubniort.fr

Golf Hirondelle - Angouleme
Situated in the heart of the town of Angoulême, with stunning views over the ancient city formerly ruled by the Valois, the 18 hole, par 70 course is undulating and technically demanding. Created in 1955, the club is one the oldest in the region and welcomes visitors all year round.
www.golf-angouleme.com

Cognac
Cognac Golf Course contains long and undulating fairways with fantastic views of the vineyards and the river. There are some difficult water hazards that have been positioned in very cunning positions. Every hole betters the latter and all 18 holes, offer a great day of golf for all abilities.
Tel: 00 33 (0)5 45 32 18 17

Saintes
A few kilometres north of Saintes, a golf course of valleys and woods and a real pleasure to play. Wonderful views of the town of Saintes and its old Roman aqueduct.
www.ville-saintes.fr/ext/golf/golf_site.html

La Rochelle
A typical Scottish links course with numerous bunkers, 8k from La Rochelle. It overlooks the Ile de Ré and 5 of the holes follow the coastline. Built on dried up swamp land, it is a flat course swept by sea breezes and offers several water hazards. This pretty course will be enjoyed by all golfers
www.golflarochelle.com

Contact:  Lisa Dalwood
Tel: 00 33 (0)5 49 27 13 49
From UK: 0844 2326368
E Mail: 
Website:  maisondelavande.com