Free Days Out

There is plenty to do in the immediate vicinity of Les Arbres without spending lots of money. Buy a picnic at one of our markets and try out these ideas:

• The market at Piegut on Wednesday mornings is one of the region's busiest, and takes over the whole village! You can buy delicious fruit, veg, cheese, yoghurt, wine, meat and handicrafts direct from the farmer, together with tractors, beds and almost anything else you can think of - even a house!

• There are several well-organised and free swimming lakes close by, which offer safe bathing with lifeguards in summer, beaches, cafes and bars, and even water sports and horse riding. The largest lake is just a few miles away at St Estephe, from where you can also walk to an unusual rock formation called the Roc Branlat. St Estephe also has free pedallo boats you can borrow.

• There are also large lakes at nearby St Mathieu and St Saud Lacoussiere.  St Mathieu has crazy golf, a new "assault course" and a bar in pretty surroundings.

• Borrow some bikes from our barn and cycle through Champniers village (take the narrow turning next to the church and go straight head at the next cross roads) to the lovely Chateau Rocher (private unfortunately) then stop for a drink at the pretty Moulin de la Chabroulie.

http://www.la-chabroulie.com/Neil/home.htm 

• Take a walk on one of the many signposted chemins rurals and see how many species of birds and flowers you can spot (be careful, many are protected). You will find books on birds and flowers in your gite. The nearby Etang de Grohliers is a nature reserve, but you can see red deer, red squirrels, wild boar, woodpeckers, buzzards and masses of wild flowers including orchids plus other wildlife wherever you go. Our garden has protected Green Lizards and salamanders.

• Walk along the River Tardoire through the Gorges of Chambron (follow the D6 road to Montron from Piegut, and turn right at Eymouthiers when you see the signposts); or potter through gorgeous sleepy villages such as Soudat and Varaignes.  http://www.visitcharente.com/content/view/full/697

• Visit the lovely town of Brantome, which is built of shimmering white stone around a loop in the River Dronne and is known as the 'Venice of the Perigord', with its beautiful abbey, monastery gardens and canoeing. Market day is Friday morning.

• St Jean de Cole is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France", and is especially beautiful during the floralies in May. It is also holder of the title "finest roofs in France". http://www.ville-saint-jean-de-cole.fr/va/ind.htm Also, don't miss our other "Plus Beaux Villages de France" at Aubterre sur Dronne, with its underground church and lovely river bathing.   http://aubeterresurdronne.com/pages/en/home.php?lang=EN

• In addition, of course, there is Limoges for its porcelain, and the regional towns of Perigueux and Angouleme for shops and restaurants.