Just 15 minutes away is the bustling town of Cognac with its café-lined square and world famous cognac houses: Martell, Hennessey and Rémy Martin to name just a few.

Closer to home is the beautiful market town of Jarnac on the banks of the tranquil river Charente - home to Courvoisier cognac and the starting point for some wonderful walks along the river bank, past mills, weirs and locks. Canoes can be hired by the bridge or why not take a river cruise, go fishing or sample hand-made chocolate from some of the finest chocolatiers of the region.

The surrounding area offers a wealth of romanesque architecture, churches, abbeys and museums. For the more energetic there is a superb 18-hole golf course at St Brice - just 10 minutes away (it has a great restaurant and you don't have to be a member or have even played a round). Other nearby activities include tennis, water sports and river cruising.

A little further a-field are the tree-lined avenues of Saintes and the chic boutiques of Angoulême. The seafood restaurants along the magnificent golden sandy beaches of Royan are within an hour's drive.

During the winter months, join us in our guided tours around the best pineau and cognac producers of the region and see how the local artisans make the oak cognac barrels.