At Poitiers, at 30 minutes drive time, you can visit the Futurscope: packed with thrills, images in giant-screen format, extraordinary encounters, mind-blowing shows, role-playing, and more.

Futuroscope lets you enjoy new excitement that will amaze you, play on your senses and involve you in the action, as you escape into new worlds of fun. Live in the future today and see this world in a new light.

The musketeers of Richelieu show, gladiators show- live, the breath taking games of the roman circus, the Vikings show set in the year 1000, ferocious Nordic warriors invade a peaceful village, the falcon birds show and the medieval City; a French medieval town, set in 1900; the Cinéscène- 7million visitors have experienced the live extravaganza performed on the largest stage in the world. 1,100 actors, amazing technical effects, and the sheer scale of this show make a truly memorable experience for everyone. Read more

Green Venice of France stretching from the city of Niort to the coast, the Marais Poitevin offers a multitude of varied landscapes united by thousands of canals. Dikes and dams control this vast territory, from the water meadows, to the drained marshlands. This is an area of unspoiled, natural beauty.

Open 365 days a year. Dream, understand and learn about the sea. A 2 hour journey into the depths of the sea. 10,000 Atlantic, Mediterranean and Tropical species in 3 million liter’s of water, 65 aquariums open like a window into the ocean world. The largest shark aquarium displays 20 species in 1.5 million litres of sea water. A 360° tunnel allows you to walk on water, surrounded by jellyfish. A must for everyone!

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1000 years of history. Discover Richard the lion hearts fortress. Your children, accompanied by “crafty Robin” will be able to discover the site whilst playing with the kings ransom.

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These numerous historical and beautiful castles can easily be visited- with Saumur’s chateau located just 45 minutes away. This is a rare example of the 14th century architecture and it marks the end of the middle ages and the beginning of the renaissance. It offers a wide variety of medieval events over the summer. The chateaux of Chenonceau, Chambord, Montreuil-Bellay, Ambois, Villandry and Usseé are all within drivable distance.

Official website

• The Musée du vignoble Nantais: (Nantes wine museum)
• Ackerman Laurence Caves: At Saumur
• Domaine de Pas au Loup: Wines of the Haut-Poitou (10minutes)
• Domaine de villement: (20minutes)
• Route des vins du Haut-Poitou: 25 vineyards within an hour , from Pressigny where it is a pleasure to taste Savignon, Cabernet, Chardonnay and Gamay wines, all of which can be purchased from the vineyard, direct.
• Caves Bouvet- Ladubay: (Saumur) open every day from 8am-6pm. June to September. Eight kilometres of wine cellars, 150 years of tradition, 194 medals of distinction awarded since 1972.
• Combier: (Saumur) Founded in 1834 discover the secrets and techniques from the 19th century still used today. The copper stills and hands-on experience of these distillers provide liquors and wines.
• Cognac: (75 minutes drive time) guided tours all year round provided by “Martell” and “Camus” (by appointment) in low season.

The royal Abbey of Fontrevaud: Founded in 1101, Fontrevaud was one of the largest Monastic complexes in the western world. Henry II, Richard the Lionheart and Elenor of Acquitaine are burried there. Nine centuries of history and architecture are to be found here, including the majestic domes of the Abbey church and the amazing voluminous spaces of it’s famous kitchens. The Abbey today houses an arts centre and a restaurant.

The valley of Monkeys: (45 minutes drive time) Open mid March-Mid November.

The Giants of the sky: (45 minutes drive time) A truly unique show. Birds from every corner of the earth show off their particular skills.

Zoo d’Yssée: (45 minutes drive time, closed December and January) Discover the wildlife of Europe.

Mouton Village: (30 minutes drive time) Sheep dog trials, shearing, lamb feeding and 23 breeds of sheep from all over the world in 15 acres of woodland. Watch Cheese being produced and enjoy the exhibitions and guided tours.

Airvault Abbey: Museum (July-September)

La Rochelle: The Atlantic coast (90 minutes drive time) The three towers of La Rochelle: Saint Nicolas and the 14th century lantern are the remains of the town’s fortifications. A visit to the town’s beach and the nearby beaches can be combined with a day of shopping in some wonderful vaulted boutiques as well as enjoying the fayre of local sea food restaurants.

The Isle de Ré: Island just on the approach to La Rochelle with unspoiled beaches and countryside.

Poitiers: (30 minutes drive) 2000 years of art and history. A town with over 100 church towers including “Notre-Dame-La-Grande”. Good local shopping, bars and restaurants.

Parks and Gardens of the Poitou-Charantes: Ninety-six different attractions within the departments of the Deux-Sevres, Vienne, Charante and Charente-Maritime.

Gallo-Roman world of Sanxay: (30 minutes drive time) From the 1st century to the 4th centuries, Sanxay was an important place for cures and pilgrimages. The remains of the temple, amphitheatre and the baths can still be visited in this well-preserved and interesting sanctuary. (Opening times vary)

Military museum of Saint-Maxient-l’école: (30 minutes drive time)