Our campsite is in Tassay on the southern tip of Vienne bordering the Charente and Deux Sevres in the Poitou Charentes region of France. The hamlet of Tassay has four houses and a farm and is about 5km from Chaunay, a small market town where you will find day to day provisions. Chaunay has a small supermarket, post office, patisseries, boulangerie, tabac and a doctor. Market day is Monday and other larger supermarkets can be found in neighbouring Civray and Sauze Vaussais. It is a beautiful part of rural France with its wonderful fields of golden sunflowers and wildlife. The area around our campsite is ideal for cycling walking and also for birdwatching, with many interesting species such as the Red Kite regularly being seen.
PLACES OF INTEREST IN POITOU CHARENTES:
Futuroscope Theme Park - Poitiers- Vienne: An action packed day out, be sure to experience the amazing new, world exclusive attraction, 'Dances with Robots'. The ride involves 10 robots, moving in 6 directions, pulling up to 3G!! Not for the faint hearted!
La Vallee Des Singes - Civray - Vienne: Divided among 15 islands planted with trees and lush vegetation, 350 monkeys move around in total freedom and enjoy direct contact with visitors.
Les Geants Du Ciel - Chauvigny - Vienne: The Giants of the Sky present an informative and exciting display, unique in Europe, in the majestic setting of the Bishops' castle in the heart of Chauvigny's medieval town. Birds from around the world in free flight are trained and have taken part in more than 300 films for cinema and television.
L'ile aux Serpents - Trimouille - Vienne: a fascinating world of over 60 species of reptiles including snakes, iguanas, varans, alligators, lizards, turtles and mangees living in a natural environment including caves, water and flora. The vivarium is open all year and you can have close contact if you wish.
The Marais Poitevin - Charente Maritime: A regional park, known as "La Venise Vert" - the Green Venice - with it's elaborate system of canals, dykes and slow-flowing rivers where you can travel through the marshes in a flat-bottomed punt.
Velorail - Confolens - Charente: Pedal along the old railway line from Confolens to Roumazieres on specially designed cycle rail vehicles, passing through woods, fields and over viaducts. Be sure to visit Confolens, a beautiful medieval town on the River Vienne.
FESTIVALS/EVENTS IN POITOU CHARENTES AND SURROUNDING AREA:
April
Festival du Film Policier - annual festival in Cognac - Charente, devoted to crime thrillers and detective stories on film. The festival shows the latest Hollywood blockbusters alongside short and independent films.
May
Chatellerault - Vienne, presents its annual jazz festival.
Tour De I'lle de Re, La Rochelle - Charente Maritime, one of France's oldest and grandest nautical spectacles where over 400 yachts take part in a circumnavigation of the rocky island just off the mainland.
June
Calvacade, La Rochelle - Charente Maritime, two days of fanfare, parades and music to La Rochelle's streets.
Vivonne - Vienne, World Music Festival - the historic town invites musicians from across the globe to take part in it's annual festival of world folk music. More than 6000 people come to enjoy the festivities every year.
July
International Film Festival, La Rochelle - Charente Maritime, the second biggest film festival in France offers an exciting programme of over 100 feature films.
Bastille Day, La Rochelle - Charente Maritime, celebrating France's National Day with a host of activities, from food markets to live music. After dark, head to the port to watch fireworks over the sea.
Un Violon sur le Sable, Royan - Charente Maritime, for 3 nights in July strings and sopranos hit the high notes on the beach at Royan.
August
Confolens - Charente, World Music & Dance Festival - ten day event with troupes of musicians and dancers from all corners of the globe. After the organised stage shows, small groups of artistes can be found on the terraces and bars of the town until the small hours
September
Rampart Race, Angouleme - Charente, each year a number of vintage racing cars compete in Angouleme's famous race around the city ramparts.
