Some suggestions for visits and activities
around the Logis des Varennes…

Within a radius of 30 km (20 mi) as the crow flies…

Where ? P. C. Direction Short Description Special Kids
AULNAY 17470 east St. Peter’s church
CRAZANNES (at St-Porchaire) 17350 south castle of “Puss in Boots” and nature pole of the “Pierre de Crazannes”
DAMPIERRE-SUR-BOUTONNE 17470 north-east castle and gardens, “Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou” (donkey farm) eco-trail of Merlin, rides with donkey
FONTDOUCE (at St-Bris-des-Bois) 17770 south-east abbey and gardens adventure park “accrobranche” (acrobat’s itinerary in the trees)
LA ROCHE-COURBON 17250 south-west castle and gardens playground, ancient games, “escape game”
MARAIS POITEVIN (Regional Nature Park of) —– north 2nd largest wetland in France after the Camargue boat, biking, carriage, ornithological park
PANLOY (at Port d’Envaux) 17350 south castle and park, haunted evenings children’s trail
ROCHEFORT 17300 west labeled “city of art and history” frigate “Hermione”
SAINT-JEAN-D’ANGELY 17400 south-east step on the path to Santiago de Compostela, abbey recreation area and kayaking on river Boutonne; at Archingeay (17380): Lisette’s Treasures
SAINT-SAVINIEN 17350 south village of stones and water on the banks of the Charente Grenouillette Island, miniature port
SAINTES 17100 south labeled “city of art and history” on Charente river boat trip on the Charente, paleosite
SURGERES 17700 north-west medieval walls
TRIZAY 17250 south-west abbey and floral park “the Gardens of Compostela” discovery booklet

Within a radius of 60 km (40 mi) as the crow flies…

Where ? P. C. Direction Short Description Special Kids
BROUAGE 17320 south-west old fortified port
BUZAY (at La Jarne) 17220 north-west castle and gardens
CELLES-SUR-BELLE 79370 north-east step on the path to Santiago de Compostela, abbey
CHATELLAILLON-PLAGE 17340 west beachfront and beach, casino beach
COGNAC 16100 south-east wine cellar, cognac arts museum, Grande Champagne circuit fun visit of the museum
FOURAS 17450 west family seaside resort, Vauban fort beach
ILE D’AIX (ISLAND) 17123 west walls, Napoleon Museum (last home before St Helena island) horse-drawn carriage, bike, boardwalk, beach
ILE D’OLERON (ISLAND) 17310 west bridge, port, lighthouse, beach beach, bird marshland, “little train of St-Trojan” (narrow gauge railway)
ILE DE RE (ISLAND) 17740 north-west La Flotte and Ars-en-Ré ranked “one of the most beautiful villages in France” biking, eco-museum
LA ROCHELLE 17000 north-west old port, old quarter, town-in-wood, “port des Minimes” (marina) aquarium, “automates” museum (automata), “modèles réduits” museum
MARENNES 17320 south-west church, “cité de l’huitre” (oyster farming), castle La Gataudière, Louvois fort adventure park
MELLE 79500 north-east medieval town, step on the path to Santiago de Compostela silver mines
MEUX 17500 south-east church, castle and gardens
MORNAC-SUR-SEUDRE 17113 south-west ranked “one of the most beautiful villages in France” “train des Mouettes” (steam train)
NIORT 79000 north regional crafts pole, dungeon at Chizé / Villiers-en-Bois (79360): animal park of Zoodyssee
PHARE DE CORDOUAN 33123 south-west “king of lighthouses”, one of the oldest in France accessible by boat and on foot at low tide
PONS 17800 south-east step on the path to Santiago de Compostela castle of the “Enigmes” (enigmas)
ROYAN 17200 south-west “Belle Epoque” town with seafront, casino, and cornice beaches, model train museum; at St-Palais-sur-Mer (17420): leisure park
SAINT-JEAN-D’ANGLE 17620 south-east medieval castle costumes, path of puzzles, barnyard
TALMONT-SUR-GIRONDE 17120 south-west ranked “one of the most beautiful villages in France”
TUMULUS DE BOUGON (at La Mothe-St-Héray) 79800 north-east one of the oldest necropolises in Europe discovery trail, demos (flint carving, weaving …)
ZOO DE LA PALMYRE (at Les Mathes) 17570 south-west most important zoo in France and one of the most beautiful in Europe

Within a radius of 90 km (60 mi) as the crow flies…

Where ? P. C. Direction Short Description Special Kids
ANGOULEME 16000 south-east labeled “city of art and history” on the Charente river, capital of comic strip
BRANTOME 24310 south-east “Venice of Périgord region”
JONZAC 17500 south thermal baths, castle
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD 16110 south-east castle “Pearl of Angoumois”, forests knight disguise
LA TRANCHE-SUR-MER 85360 north-west seaside resort, beach, water sports beach
PARC NATUREL REGIONAL PERIGORD-LIMOUSIN 24450 south-east grove, valleys, plateaus and mountains treasure hunt, exploration folder
PARTHENAY 79200 north medieval city International Fun Festival (July), Vasles animal park
VALLEE DES SINGES (at Le Gureau) 86700 north-east park dedicated to the protection of primates evolving in freedom mini-farm
VOUVANT 85120 north ranked “one of the most beautiful villages in France”

Within a radius of 120 km (80 mi) as the crow flies…

Where ? P. C. Direction Short Description Special Kids
AUBETERRE-SUR-DRONNE 16390 south-east ranked “one of the most beautiful villages in France”
BORDEAUX (at 150 km…) 33000 south UNESCO World Heritage, vineyard
CHAUVIGNY 86300 north-east medieval city, castles “Géants du Ciel” (birds of prey show), “Planet Crocodiles”, rail-bike
CONFOLENS 16500 east medieval city rail-bike
MORTEMART 87330 east ranked “one of the most beautiful villages in France”
POITIERS/FUTUROSCOPE 86000 north-east labeled “city of art and history” Futuroscope