Copyright © Montplaisir - Bed & Breakfast, Montendre, France 2010
HOLIDAYS
View from the chateau, Montendre
The chateau in Montendre
Market Day in Montendre
Lake complex
Pool complex, Jonzac
Chateau, Jonzac
Holidaying in the Charente Maritime is a glorious experience. Being the second hottest and sunniest region in the whole of France one can enjoy the best without having to travel so far.
Montplaisir is ideally suited for holidays, whether it be for a stopover on the way to more southerly parts of France and Spain or for a holiday in the southern Charente Maritime.
Just twenty minutes from the main route from northern France to Spain (A 10) it is easy to reach. The car ferry ports of St Malo and Boulogne are 5.10 hrs and 7.00 hrs drive away.
f you don't want to drive the advent of ever cheaper air fares make a weekend trip to Montplaisir an economical break. Bordeaux airport and the TOV rail link is less than an hour away and we offer a collection and delivery service for guests.
For those coming for a holiday here, the area really has it all. We have a micro climate making it the second sunniest region in France. As far as the countryside is concerned, it is paradise. The landscape is rolling and is a mixture of vines, forest and meadows. For the fisherman there are many rivers and lakes. For the lover of horses there are several equestrian centres.
Montplaisir is ideally suited for holidays, whether it be for a stopover on the way to more southerly parts of France and Spain or for a holiday in the southern Charente Maritime.
Just twenty minutes from the main route from northern France to Spain (A 10) it is easy to reach. The car ferry ports of St Malo and Boulogne are 5.10 hrs and 7.00 hrs drive away.
f you don't want to drive the advent of ever cheaper air fares make a weekend trip to Montplaisir an economical break. Bordeaux airport and the TOV rail link is less than an hour away and we offer a collection and delivery service for guests.
For those coming for a holiday here, the area really has it all. We have a micro climate making it the second sunniest region in France. As far as the countryside is concerned, it is paradise. The landscape is rolling and is a mixture of vines, forest and meadows. For the fisherman there are many rivers and lakes. For the lover of horses there are several equestrian centres.
You can buy whatever takes your fancy and the whole village sits down together at trestle tables in the village square and eats together. Cheat fun and a fantastic way to make new friends.
There are excellent shopping facilities including an Intermarche, coiffeur, restaurant and petrol station all within 2 minutes walking distance of Montplaisir. The local bar is just ten minutes walk away as is the brocante, for those who wish to browse among the second hand delights of bye gone times.
Montendre, the centre of green tourism in the region, is an ancient market town created in 52 BC by Mons A dronis, a lieutenant in the Roman armies of Julius Ceaser. In the twelfth century the chateau was built on the hill which is the centre of the town. Visitors to the chateau are treated to magnificent, panoramic views over the Charente maritime.
There is an extremely good museum in Montendre in which exhibits trace the history and costumes of by gone ages of the region. This is well worth a visit.
The countryside and terrain is ideal for the rambler and cyclist alike. The are some wonderful forest trails to follow and you can go for miles along reasonable tracks without ever having to hit a tarmac road. These are well maintained and the ground is mildly undulating.
The local eating is also wonderful, with many local specialities to choose from. As for wine, we are surrounded by the world famous chateaux which produce cognac, not to mention the local speciality and indigenous pineaux, (which once tasted can never be forgotten). Visits can be arranged to visit the producers of wine and the grand Cognac houses where one can taste the various products.
There are many lovely towns and villages, including Montendre, where we live. Montendre is a bustling little town with lots going on. It has a big street market on Thursdays and also a 'Marche Nocturne' on Tuesday evenings during July and August. The Marche Nocturne is brilliant, the village centre is filled with stalls selling locally produced foods and a host of other produce.
The local eating is also wonderful, with many local specialities to choose from. As for wine, we are surrounded by the world famous chateaux which produce cognac, not to mention the local speciality and indigenous pineaux, (which once tasted can never be forgotten). Visits can be arranged to visit the producers of wine and the grand Cognac houses where one can taste the various products.
There are many lovely towns and villages, including Montendre, where we live. Montendre is a bustling little town with lots going on. It has a big street market on Thursdays and also a 'Marche Nocturne' on Tuesday evenings during July and August. The Marche Nocturne is brilliant, the village centre is filled with stalls selling locally produced foods and a host of other produce.
Montendre has seen its fair share of troubles over the decades but now is a pleasant market town and home to 3140 people. The main employment being of a rural nature, this being one of the biggest wine producing areas in the world.
There is much for the holidaymaker to do and enjoy in Montendre and the surrounding region. There is a golf course on the edge of the town and a wonderful lake complex situated in a forest setting near the golf course.
There is much for the holidaymaker to do and enjoy in Montendre and the surrounding region. There is a golf course on the edge of the town and a wonderful lake complex situated in a forest setting near the golf course.
The lake complex includes a sandy beach affording safe bathing for children. A lifeguard is on duty during summer months. There are paddle boats, a fishing lake and swimming pool providing a spacious setting for those who do not want to spend their time in cars. Official guide to Montendre www.ville-montendre fr
The town of Montendre is well supported by the Mayor and his team who are very enthusiastic about providing the very best in facilities for visitors to the town of which they are justifiably proud.
The town of Montendre is well supported by the Mayor and his team who are very enthusiastic about providing the very best in facilities for visitors to the town of which they are justifiably proud.
The centre of the cognac production is the ancient town of Cognac. Home to most of the well known producers such as Courvoisier, Hennesy,Martell and Remy-Martin, to name but a few, the town is well worth a visit for its architecture alone. All the main cognac houses provide guided tours (with the inevitable tasting).
Jonzac is just 15 minutes drive from Montendre and is a delightful town boasting a lovely chateau in its main square. Home to the local government offices this is a well maintained example of French architecture.
The Gironde estuary is just some twenty minutes drive away. With its small fishing villages it can be a fascinating day out. Whilst travelling the Gironde estuary one cannot miss the town and port of Blaye. During the drive one passes through an important wine producing area on the road to and around Blaye.
Travel up the coast to visit the idyllic village of Talmont with its quaint cottages, winding streets and wonderful array of flowers growing in the streets. This is a trip that cannot be missed.
Travel up the coast to visit the idyllic village of Talmont with its quaint cottages, winding streets and wonderful array of flowers growing in the streets. This is a trip that cannot be missed.
From Talmont it is only a few kilometers before you reach the town of Royan. Royan, home to the German U boats in World War II, was badly bombed during the war. Since then the town has been rebuilt with some extremely exiting architecture. (The cathedral here is a revolution in architecture and must be seen). The beaches of Royan are a bathers’ delight and the marinas will enthrall budding Chichesters. Royan is about an hours drive north of Montendre.
Montendre lies just north of the Aquitaine border and the beautiful countryside of the Dordogne river. This area is well worth a visit during your stay.
When you tire of the sunbathing and touring around the old towns no doubt a spot of retail therapy would not come amiss. Bordeaux boasts the longest high street in Europe and is an excellent centre for such an expedition. The trip is just 50 minutes by car. But why not take the train from Montendre and take in the forest and countryside whilst relaxing.
After completing the shopping why not wind the day down with a drink at one of the open air bars in the main square of Bordeaux before returning home.
These are just some of the places to see and things to do whilst making Montplaisir your holiday centre.
We very much hope that you will make Montplaisir the centre for your holiday here, in this beautiful part of France.