THE GREAT OUTDOORS p24 - In the air, on land, in water, on a farm, answer the call of - Tourisme en Vienne
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VISITS | ACTIVITIES | NATURE
FEATURE
In the air, on land, in water,
on a farm, answer the call of
THE GREAT OUTDOORS p24
BRAND NEW
Château de Monts-sur-Guesnes,
Tornado Chasers, Futuroscope Arena p10
FREE
Let's keep the passion for
the Vienne alive together
Whether you choose to come for a
weekend, a week or more, the Vienne,
boasting picturesque sites, charming
villages, out-of-the-ordinary accom-
modation, unspoilt natural landscapes,
futuristic attractions and cultural tours,
overflows with heritage treasures and
delightful little pleasures that are sure
to make your childhood dreams come
true. Thanks to this diversity, our region
has incredible appeal that will charm
you, one-of-a-kind experiences, acces-
sible to everyone, all year round, inviting
you to get away from it all differently
and be wowed.
A host of authentic, exciting discoveries
that will take you to explore, taste, enjoy,
feet on the ground, high in the air or
along a waterway, alone, with family or
friends, our amazing, the fascinating
Vienne. The Department, champio-
ning this activity, which is pivotal for
our region's attractiveness, is com-
mitted to financing major innovative,
development-focused projects. This
long-standing dedication will bear its
fruit in 2022 through the opening of the
Futuroscope Arena, a large-scale venue
devoted to entertainment and sport,
and Château de Monts-sur-Guesnes, a
landmark castle dating back to medie-
val times, proposing fun-filled, interac-
tive adventure following in the footsteps
of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the
Lionheart.
The Department, partner and orchestra-
tor of this joint initiative, created hand-
in-hand with sector professionals, will
continue relentlessly to ensure local tou-
rism is a driver for sustainable growth,
promoting harmonious economic
development across its region.
Alain PICHON
President of the Vienne Department
&
Isabelle BARREAU
Delegate Department Councillor,
responsible for Tourism and
Attractiveness.
2
The call of
the great outdoors
Portfolio, Encounter
Through Édouard Salmon's lens with the Fantrippers
What's new? A Family affairs
New for 2022 Lords & Ladies of the manor
Double Delight Music
La Roche-Posay live & direct
Long weekend away Useful addresses
Chauvigny, Angles-sur-l’Anglin, Saint-Savin for a carefree stay
Le spot
Saint-Cyr Lake
Fabulous farms
from producer to consumer Look out for this logo in the magazine!
The site mentioned proposes activities
for families endorsed by the
"Expériences Famille" scheme.
Shop locally For more information, visit
www.experiences-famille.com
my shopping list
3
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PORTFOLIO
4
PORTFOLIO ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A feast for the eyes...
To offer an alternative perspective of our region,
to view it from another angle and to appreciate it through an artist's eyes,
Tourism in Vienne has entrusted the following pages to
''My aim is to spark
emotion through
aerial images''
Edouard, who has always been
fascinated by images, discovered
the world of drones and aerial
photography in 2017.
Two years later, after having passed
his French DGAC (Directorate
General for Civil Aviation) exam,
he began his professional activity
as a drone pilot.
Today, drones are tools enabling him
to fly his image sensor and take his
creativity to the heights.
@ed_sky_studio
Mignaloux-Beauvoir Golf Course, August 2021
5
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PORTFOLIO
"I'm really fascinated
about shadow effects and
geometry on the ground,
unveiled by my aerial vistas"
Patrouille de France: air show at Poitiers-Biard Airport, June 2021
6
PORTFOLIO ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Equestrian reprise at Écuries de Sainval in Roches-Prémarie-Andillé, 2019
7
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PORTFOLIO
"As a partner
of Poitiers Basket,
professional basketball
team since 2019, I provide
an innovative and creative
perspective for promoting
the club and its team"
8
Andersen School Complex basketball
court in Poitiers, September 2019.
Photo exhibited in the French Pavilion
at Dubai World Expo in 2022.
Botanical Gardens basketball court in Poitiers,
September 2019
9
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT'S NEW?
Château
An interactive journey through time!
The old village of Monts-sur-Guesnes, a Petites Cités de Caractère® (Villages and
Small Towns of Character), located in the north of the Vienne, has been really
vibrant in recent months. Why, you may ask? Its medieval castle has risen from
its ashes to become a treasure giving Poitou's history a new lease of life.
The 100 Years' War, Eleanor of Aqui-
taine, Richard the Lionheart... wit- Experience a flamboyant era
hout a doubt, these names conjure The castle in Monts-sur-Guesnes invites you to enjoy cle-
up history lesson memories for you. verly-devised entertainment and to be amazed! Although
The tour through the castle in learning is the name of the game in the 8 rooms spread over
Monts-sur-Guesnes should jog your 800m2, a large part is dedicated to an entertaining approach
memory in the most wonderful and where image reigns supreme. Video-projection, 3D anima-
entertaining way. tions, inlayed engravings, a gigantic fresco where characters
are brought to life… everything has been carefully designed
In this medieval castle and its out-
and cutting-edge technology used to inspirit history and
buildings that have been totally
ensure it's accessible to all.
restored, the itinerary focuses in
particular on the Middle Ages and The intricacies of time now hold no more secrets for you or
the 100 Years' War period. With for your budding little knights and princesses. The discovery
Eleanor of Aquitaine, an exceptional tour tailored to younger visitors includes a workshop area
queen who had an outstanding that they'll absolutely adore. Period games to play, illumi-
destiny, and her son Richard the nation and stone-cutting workshops, a medieval camp
Lionheart as your guides, the sceno- with trebuchet-style catapults... immersion guaranteed!
graphy whisks you off into a saga By chronicling this turbulent period through the lens of key
filled with power games and historic facts, the Château de Monts-sur-Guesnes also invites
family tales that helped shape to discover the Vienne. And, with a queen as remarkable as
the Poitou region and the Eleanor as your guide, it's a definite must-do!
history of France.
10WHAT'S NEW? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Head for Futuroscope,
With a brand new attraction, a
themed hotel and an experiential
restaurant, Futuroscope's 2022
season is set to be full of thrills.
With The Extraordinary Journey and Destination
Mars, you'll be dangling about the Earth. With Tor-
nado Chasers, Futuroscope's new attraction*, you'll
keep your feet firmly on the ground. Well, not really…
An experienced meteorologist and a seasoned
tornado hunter invite you into their lab. They're on
a mission to keep watch on the growing number
of tornadoes, the way they're formed and how they
move. All of a sudden, the two experts notice a
movement. Getting on-board the adventure with
them means you'll need to hold tight to your seat
as the winds are sure to be strong in the middle of
the tornado!
Take your seat in this new state-of-the-art thrill-
based installation and dive into the action. Enjoy
your ride on a dynamic 120-seater rotating platform
mounted on hydraulic cylinders. An 8m high circu-
lar screen everywhere around you offers 470m2 of
projection. When it comes to special effects, eight
ventilators will reproduce powerful winds blowing. A
mind-blowing experience that will take your breath *Spring 2022.
away! Opening date: check on futuroscope.com
Sleep with your head in the stars
With 40 attractions and a night-time show, a day's
not enough to enjoy it all as you want. So, why not
sleep on-site? Better still, spend the night in an
intergalactic base. Station Cosmos is the presti-
gious, new, themed hotel created by Futuroscope
in 2022*. The rooms have been imagined and set up
Fly high
like spaceship cabins. with zerOGravity
What's more, breakfast is served in the Space Loop A stone's throw from the Futuroscope Park entrance, Nouvelle-Aqui-
restaurant. And, eating there is unmissable. Once taine's only indoor skydiving simulator awaits you. zerOGravity invites
you've placed your order on the touchscreens, your young and old alike to delight in the thrills of freefall in total safety. The
dishes will weave their way through the catering vertical wind tunnel is awesome. Climb inside a large 4.30m diameter
space on an incredible system of rails, looping the and 17m high glass tube. Children and adults will enjoy freefalling on two
loop as they move along before arriving hot and 1 minute rides thanks to an airflow that rolls through the tunnel at 130 to
ready to indulge in on your table! This restaurant is 220kmh. You'll discover a mind-blowing experience, supervised by an
the only one of its kind in France, so give it a go. instructor. Accessible from the age of 5.
11________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT'S NEW?
at Futuroscope Arena
It's ready to rock! After a 30-year wait and 2 years of work, the Vienne's new
up-to-the-minute arena at long last welcomes its first audiences.
Futuroscope Arena, the new venue, On 11 June, it's time for the French Grand Cabaret du Monde will take
at the gateway to the amusement 80s tour with Plastic Bertrand, Julie to the stage on 14 December with
park, which stands out with its Pietri, Lio, Sloane, Zouk Machine, to over 50 performers in an Enchan-
rectangular body shape and its name but a few. ting Christmas show. On 11 January
6,000-person capacity, 2023, Heroes Bowie Ber-
will host concerts, shows A hundred or so events will be held in the lin, a David Bowie tribute
and sporting events. And show, will be held.
its first year promises a arena, including a Futuroscope-created Actors and comedians
host of highlights! Fes- show are also on the Arena
tivities will kick off on 6 bill: Michaël Gregorio in
May with the singer Angèle who The Nutcracker Suite, Tchaikovsky's L'Odyssée de la voix on 14 October,
will inaugurate this exquisite space. famous ballet, will be performed Alban Ivanov will present his show
On 3 June, Sexion d'Assaut's major here by the Russian National Opera entitled Vedette on 26 November
tour will play a date here. Concerts on 23 November. French presenter, and Kev Adams is already sche-
resume in the autumn with Patrick Sébastien, and his Plus duled for 9 March 2023.
Matthieu Chedid, presenting
his new show, on 9 November.
A multitude of performers are
already on the cards: Claudio
Capéo (18 November), Dutronc This summer, an enchanting journey
father and son (20 November), From 12 July to 28 August, Futuroscope takes up its summertime residence
Bernard Lavilliers (25 November) at the Arena by inviting Slava's Snowshow to stop off in the Vienne. An
as well as Grand Corps Malade extraordinary, poetic journey is proposed to audiences one or two times
(1st December). a day. The well-known clown Slava Polunin, along with his mates, invents
Major shows are also on the a wonderfully colourful, extravagant world filled with fantasy and fun. An
agenda too. Aïda, Verdi's opera invasion of strange creatures, soap bubbles, snowstorms… magic casts its
will take place on 9 June. spells on stage and around the venue. This joyfully entertaining, amazing
enchantment sparks childhood memories. This exclusive show, acclaimed
around the globe for its originality, blends emotions and stunning effects.
Showstopping!
12WHAT'S NEW? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Macaroons revisited A new look for
The Rannou-Métivier Musée du La Roche-Posay Spa Source
macaron (Macaroon Museum), in
The building, the atmosphere and
Montmorillon, which showcased the
the care and treatment selection…
century-old establishment that conti-
after several months of work,
nues to delight our taste buds with
everything has been revamped at
this sweet almond biscuit, gives its
La Roche-Posay Spa Source. New
image a fresh twist with a brand new
care and treatment protocols for Le Pinail listed in the
museographic tour. The collection is
enriched with a new film, exclusive
the body and mind have been "World" category
imagined hand-in-hand with a
documents about the family saga, Just like the Camargue and
panel of experts to combine the
as well as an environmental section. Mont-Saint-Michel, Le Pinail
effectiveness of La Roche-Posay's
Here, we learn that the establishment National Nature Reserve in Vouneuil-
dermatological formulas with the
planted its own almond trees in sur-Vienne, comprising landscapes
neurosensory power of massages.
Morocco to ensure more responsible of ponds, peat bogs, prairies and
Entering the Carré des Sources, this
orchards. A tasting session in the moors shaped by humans, joins the
thermal water pool heated to 32°C,
revamped conservatory concludes exclusive club of French wetlands
is a must-of-musts to delight in this
the visit. acknowledged by the Ramsar Inter-
timeless bubble conducive to relaxa-
national Convention on Wetlands.
tion and letting go!
A label granted for this 950ha biodi-
Virtual reality at versity gem's environmental quality
Les Tours Mirandes and conservation initiatives as well
as its awareness-promotion via its
Thanks to a new guided tour with
discovery trail and its events.
a virtual reality headset, visitors to
Les Tours Mirandes, in Saint-Mar-
tin-la-Pallu, will be able to view the Road trip on-board
Gallo-Roman site as it was back in
the days when the forum, theatre a vintage combi: heritage
and temple buzzed with the activity explored differently
of a large urban centre. In autumn
"En voiture Simone", the French
2022, the site will open all year round
idiomatic equivalent of "Hit the
when it will invite to discover its new
road Jack", fits perfectly well with
museography. And, as of July, new
family workshops to learn all about Château-Larcher awarded this new one-of-a-kind touring
offer: Marie Lembeye invites you to
the origins of pottery with the family. the "Petites Cités de jump on-board her delightful 1976
Caractères" label Volkswagen combi for a fun-filled
XXL Lego® animals Last December, Château-Larcher
road trip to discover the Poitevin
countryside. Playing the role of driver
invade the forest was granted the long-awaited
and guide, she has imagined five
"Petites Cités de Caractère®" (Vil-
There's a forest at the Château de 30-40km tourist itineraries across
lages and Small Towns of Character)
Monthoiron inhabited by Haut-Poitou. Head off with family or
label. It is the third locality in the
amusing residents… made of friends for a two-hour trip along the
Vienne, after Charroux and Monts-
Lego. Their role? To help you solve Vienne's country roads and discover
sur-Guesnes to boast it. The jury was
the clues interspersed along the trail Poitevin landscapes, culture and
impressed by its rich heritage — the
and free the forest from the spell heritage.
13th century castle, the castellum,
cast on it by a magician. The Secret
the Romanesque church and its
of Karmanor is a must-do activity for
defensive tower as well as the
fans, from 3 years and over, who love
Lanterne des morts (Lantern
building with LEGO® bricks. A dozen
of the Dead), one of the last
large-sized structures will come
remaining in France — and,
along to join the 85,000-piece XXL
not forgetting its events
Mallard Duck, already on-site in 2021.
such as the medieval fair
Georg Schmitt, brickmaster and jury
that will take place this year
member of the LegoMasters TV pro-
on 17 and 18 September.
gramme, has been commissioned to
make them.
13_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DOUBLE DELIGHT
LA ROCHE-POSAY
one town, two styles
When the enchantment of the age
of knights in shining armour and the
grace of the Belle Époque embrace…
it conjures up: La Roche-Posay!
Fancy finding out more before
being charmed yourself? Then,
follow the guide of this destination
with its duo of styles that are ever-so
complementary!
La Roche-Posay, set on the steep banks of the Creuse,
boasting 1,600 permanent residents, is a thermal resort
with a human face. Here, everyone knows each other,
which means the village diffuses a pleasant, welco-
ming atmosphere, as if the inhabitants were in perfect
harmony with the village's treasure: its thermal water.
Although the community has existed since the 10th
century, as illustrated through its medieval buildings,
it was only in the 16th century that this water began to
develop a reputation. This water, which naturally rich in
selenium, is the one that contains the most in the wor-
ld. La Roche-Posay thermal water contains soothing
properties for skin that suffers from eczema, psoriasis
and even burns. Like other spa towns, it was around
the dawn of the 20th century that the resort gained
its prestigious status and grew rather quickly. Thermal
baths, hotels, houses, landscaped parks and gardens,
all superbly conserved, invite us to indulge in the spirit
of the Belle Époque.
Continue to wander around and you'll find yourself
whisked back to the Middle Ages. The historic centre,
perched proudly on its rocky spur, still hosts vestiges
from this era that are also well worth a visit. You would
almost expect a knight in armour to step out of an
alleyway!
Strolling around the shops brings us back to the 21st
century where La Roche-Posay lives intensely in tune
with the seasons. The town has its own golf course,
racetrack and casino, a sine qua non for any thermal
resort. Take it from us, you won't have enough time to
enjoy it all! But one thing's for sure: you feel great here,
and that's all that counts.
14DOUBLE DELIGHT _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Medieval Thermal
town resort
Discovering and marvelling! Relaxing and getting away from it all
The fortified dungeon and church, visible from afar, The thermal resort, an intrinsic part of the town, show-
are two iconic monuments of the medieval town. cases typical early 20th century-style architecture. The
The dungeon dominates majestically and has a host former Grand Hotel, now known as Les Loges du Parc
of secrets to tell. On the first floor, the Salle des Échos and a tourist residence, invites to discover the very
(Echo Room) proposes an immersive experience. best of Art Nouveau: harmonious, symmetrical style
Images projected on the vault and the walls whisk and colourful floral details. When it comes to green
you back through time. It's just totally mesmerising! spaces, Confluences Park is a must-visit. The gentle
Don't leave the room before testing its echo… This lapping water in the fountains and in the water mirror
room that wears its name well has a special acous- features is an ode to relaxation. Time now for the Spa
tic feature, anything whispered in a corner can be Source, which was recently redesigned after several
heard… at the other end of the room! months' work, for an unwinding interlude in the water
The stroll through the medieval district delivers called "velvet". Pure delight.
everything it promises. Cobblestone streets and 2022 marks a double renewal for the resort. As, after
charming boutiques, perfect for ambling around. two years of work to modernise and renovate the
The most exquisite vista over the town can be spaces, the Thermes du Connétable reopened in
contemplated from the bridge over the Creuse. January.
It's pure magic when the sun sets!
15_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LONG WEEKEND AWAY
3 days &
2 nights in
Angles-sur- l'Anglin
Chauvigny, Saint-Savin, Angles-sur-l’Anglin,
Chauvigny three exceptional villages, nestling between the Vienne
Saint-Savin Valley and the Gartempe Valley, form "the golden triangle",
Montmorillon flaunt world-renowned heritage and invite to delight in
offbeat family-style activities. A must-do stop-off, just like
their neighbour Montmorillon.
We headed off with our two children to check that what
you read actually corresponds to what you can see and
experience. Be inspired!
On foot or on
RailBike (VéloRail),
a day on the move!
9 am
Our adventure kicks off
with the medieval town
of Chauvigny. We park in
T h e m e d i eva l tow n
rolls itself out before
us: alleyways f ramed
the bottom part of the by period houses, old
town. Our goal: to climb boutiques where artists
the steep slopes to the old and craftspeople have
town. We're off to discover taken up residence,
the town with five cast- small, shaded squares for
les, sturdy shoes on our enjoying a drink peaceful-
feet. Pretty quickly, the ly, our stroll is unaffected
modern-day lower part by the passing of time!
of town gives way to "the And what about these
days of knights in shining really impressive ruins…
armour". Well, we can just imagine
Once at the top, we for- how splendid the town
get the efforts we made was back then with its
thanks to the feast for castles reigning supre-
our eyes. In the still of the me on this promontory!
morning, the light shines All that's missing is the
on the buildings' blonde clip-clopping of wooden
stones, no need for more clogs.
details apart from: ama-
zing!
16LONG WEEKEND AWAY ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11 am
The Giants of the Sky (Les
Géants du Ciel) await us at the
Castle of the Bishops (Château
Thanks to the 100-bird ballet, we learn a little more
about their lives.
We're reassured, as the vulture that's just sat down
des Evêques). Here we are now, beside us doesn't attack humans. We also find out
sitting in the outdoor stands that, in addition to these performances, some of
with a vista over the valley. Let these birds of prey boast an impressive cinema
the show begin. career! Djalo, the parrot that brings the show to
Wow, thrills and excitement a close, gives us a taster of his talent. We're enter-
right from the word 'go'! Owls, tained and yet impressed by the bond between
eagles, falcons and vultures him and his handler.
fly over us and even skim our We walk through the aviaries and discover other
heads with their incredible birds of prey that are all incredibly majestic. This
wings. It's brilliant! wonderful immersion into the world of falconry
was just perfect.
12:30 pm
Our morning wander leads us to
a creperie. La Bigorne. Its shady
2 pm
terrace is really appealing, its menu
even more so! Here, the buckwheat
crepes, called "galettes", are lavishly Now that we're fit to burst,
garnished with local produce. it's time for a tour on a Rail-
Bike (VéloRail) for the whole
The "Puygargue" galette gives
afternoon. We choose the
pride of place to the Talbat trout
long route, a 2-hour round
6 pm
from the local fish farm. As for the
trip covering just over 17km.
"Chouette" crepe, it's filled with
As we're sporty people,
goat's cheese from a neighbouring
there's nothing to fear! We After all these sensations, it's time
farm. A pure delight. The creperie
go through a safety briefing and to go to our accommodation, a
interior reminds us of medieval
now we're ready to jump on-board guesthouse in the town centre:
taverns: king-size wooden tables,
these strange machines. Notre-Dame de Chauvigny. This
massive beams and stone walls.
former school, dating back to the
We could do with a mini digestion These bikes are set on the old
late 19th century and located at
siesta under the shade of the catal- railway line that once linked
the foot of the medieval town, was
pa tree, but other adventures await! Poitiers to Blanc in a wonderfully
totally renovated a few years back.
shaded environment in the Indre.
We arrive and immediately love the
The first pushes on the pedals turn
large courtyard and imagine all the
out to be harder than expected,
hopscotch and other kids' games
but we get up to speed quickly and
that took place here! Inside is just
are able to enjoy the view over the
as delightful as outside, and even
medieval town from this morning.
more so. We discover the tasteful
From here, it's even more amazing.
interior design and rooms named
The ascent makes your thighs heat
after La Fontaine's Fables. We're
up so we take turns to pedal. When
going to sleep in the family room
we reach the end of the track, we
named after "The Tortoise and the
do the must-do U-turn to head
Hare". But, now it's the end of the
back to the station. Now, we're on
afternoon and we're going to take
a gentle downward slope, so it only
time out in the relaxing garden.
takes a few pedal strokes on the
RailBike to woosh along and enjoy
the thrills.
17A journey through history
and other delights
18LONG WEEKEND AWAY ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9 am
The weather's fine so we choose
not to hang around in bed. Break-
fast aromas start tickling our noses.
11 am
This experience, where young and
old alike are caught up in the quest,
gives us a good glimpse of the vil-
12:30 pm
To satisfy our cravings, we head for
No.15 tea room, recommended by
a local. Here, we're whisked off on
Our table is ready and waiting on lage's gems. To find out more, we another journey into a "so British"
the patio: freshly-squeezed orange decide to journey back through atmosphere that f ills the decor
juice, f resh f ruit salad, brioche, time in Angles' fortress. and the dish. The menu invites to
fresh bread, all laid out sweetly. The self-guided tour of this bishop's delight in gourmet salads, club
We get our first-ever taste of Broyé fortress, weaving its way through sandwiches as well as burgers &
du Poitou, the local speciality, and really well-kept ruins, throws us into chips and savoury tarts. Out on the
some good coffee. an eventful past where Kings of terrace, lulled by the sounds of run-
What a great way to start the day! France and the English royal family ning water, we sip an ice tea and
Today we head for Angles-sur- ruled (worth noting: the medieval indulge in some yummy home-
l’Anglin. The village comes into weekend on 23 and 24 July and the made pastry. We settle for some
view after 30 minutes' drive and it's dramatised tours on 15 July and 26 "so delicious" scones, suggested by
both beautiful and impressive. August). the people sitting at the table next
to us.
As we reach the bridge that spans We'd have loved to follow in the
the Anglin, the historic medieval footsteps of our prehistoric ances-
village labelled "Plus Beaux Vil- tors who, 1,500 years ago, carved a
lages de France®" (Most Beautiful sculpted frieze just a stone's throw
Villages of France), appears in all from the village, in a chamber in
its splendour, perched on its pro- the rocks, known as "the Lascaux of
montory, with its impressive 11th sculpture". The only one of its kind
century fortress. It seems to want in the world, it's centre staged in
to challenge its visitors as it did for the Roc aux Sorciers Interpretation
centuries before. The best way to Centre (worth noting: Les Préhisto-
"take it on" and discover its secrets, riales, public discussions, on 20 and
legends and tales, is to choose the 21 August and the prehistoric show
life-size adventure proposed by the "Tas d'Os" on 3 August).
treasure hunt Tèrra Aventura (free But, we don't have time and we're
geocaching app to download) "The really hungry!
Days of Angles Embroidery Tale".
The Days of Angles Embroidery Tale
Phone to the ready with little Poïz characters on the screen
that guide us through the various clues to solve and tell us the
history of the place in a fun-filled way.
The treasure hunt hostess gives us our mission: "Find Bishop
Hugues de Combarel and give him a lace mitre, created using
"Jours d'Angles" embroidery, a technique specific to the village".
An adventure that takes us from one clue to another across
iconic sites, which are sometimes hidden, where the Poïz
are waiting for answers: the little cobbled back streets;
the finest promontory over the Anglin Valley; the left-
bank monastery district; the English Trench (Tranchée des
Anglais),(a trail hewed out of the rock) etc. Once we solve the
nine clues, a message gives us the location of the cache. We dig
around for a few minutes and we unearth the treasure!
19_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LONG WEEKEND AWAY
2 pm
What a pity we don't have enough
time to stroll around the alleyways
hosting lots of craft workshops
(decorative objects, old lace, pain-
tings and more). But, en route for
another architectural gem: Abbaye
de Saint-Savin (Saint-Savin Abbey
Church) and its 700m2 of one-of-a-
kind Romanesque mural paintings,
a UNESCO-listed world heritage
site.
The drive takes 15 minutes and
gives the kids time for a little boos-
ter nap. And, it's a sure must as the
programme's going to be intense.
At the abbey church reception,
we've a choice of several options:
guided tour, self-guided tour,
immersive visit or dramatised
tour. We go for the last two which,
as the receptionist tells us, are better: the most important
complementary as they use totally elements are displayed and we
contrasting approaches. can actually zoom in on their
details, discover their meaning,
Now, we've got our headsets on
their restoration as well as great
and our tablets in our hands and
anecdotes.
we're off for a tour that's tailored to
our time, our desires and, above all Once outside, thanks to digital
to what the kids want. We start with magic, we go on a virtual tour
the immersive visit of the abbey of the former cloister that no
church, nicknamed the "Sistine longer exists. We pursue our
Chapel of the French Middle Ages". journey outside the Abbot’s
It's no wonder, because as soon as home, which was also owned
you step inside, you're captivated for several years by Felix-Léon
by the most exquisite, most gran- Édoux who invented the lift. It
diose Romanesque art that unfurls was here that he created the
to a height of some 17 metres: the first hydraulic lift and needed
greatest ensemble of wall pain- to build a surprising crenel-
tings in Europe from the 11th and lated tower back in the 19th
12th centuries, a real picture book century that still stands high
painted by the artists still unknown on the building today.
today. These works of art, in an The visit moves on to highlight
extraordinary state of preservation, the monks’ life between the
narrate the Old Testament where refectory (temporary exhibition
emblematic scenes are portrayed: centre) and the monks’ former
Noah’s Ark, the crossing of the Red chambers (cells), which now
Sea as well as the Tower of Babel. host an interpretation centre.
The tablet helps us to understand
20LONG WEEKEND AWAY ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3 pmChange of atmosphere, but still in the same place, for our drama-
tised tour.
We take the lead from Félix-Léon Édoux and his wife Amélie
who invite us to explore the abbey church for an entertaining,
interactive journey through time, from the 5th to the
19th century. The kids, who are over the moon to be
involved, now know everything there is to know (us too
by the way) about this major site closely linked to the
History of France.
7:30 pm
After a refreshing break in the abbey
church garden and a stroll along
the Gartempe to the old bridge that
10 pm
With this touch of elegance and
timelessness, just like the abbey
church itself, we leave Saint-Savin
offers an exceptional vista over the and the famous "golden triangle",
"Sistine Chapel of the French Middle which delivered much more than
Ages", we head for the Abbot's home, what it had promised, to spend a
where there's a surprise in store. well-deserved night in Montmoril-
For a year now year, this timeless lon, an extra getaway, in the Arbre
sanctuary has been home to a gas- d'Ange guesthouse. This 17th cen-
tronomic restaurant, the Cérasus, tury mansion, located in the centre
where the young chef Thibaud of town, has been refurbished in an
Piroux, who learned the ropes of his English style. White, pink, flowers
trade with Michelin-starred chefs, in and of course angels decorate the
particular Philippe Etchebest and rooms, infusing them with a really
Richard Toix, invites you to delight cosy atmosphere where you imme-
in inventive cuisine imagined diately feel at home. And, with the
using ancestral techniques such as linen bedding, our night is sure to
smoking and lacto-fermentation. be a pure delight.
In this understated yet welcoming
setting, our taste buds delight in
local produce enhanced with finesse
and creativity.
21Food for our
minds and
bodies!
9 am
Early morning and the house's gar-
den, with its swimming pool in the
centre, unveils its splendour. It's a
No matter how young or old you
are or what sort of literature you're
looking for, there's something for
everyone. A morning of never-en-
ding trips!
We won't be able to check out the
wall paintings dating back 1,200
years or compare them with the
ones we saw the day before in
Saint-Savin.
real haven of peace, protected from
the wind and the outside world. The As we wander through the streets, Well, we'll come back another
sumptuous wisteria climbing along we also discover workshops that time but, until then, we'll have to
the facade adds a touch of charm propose half-day calligraphy and make do with the photos exhibited
and elegance. Breakfast is sure to painting courses. And, although outside. A bit further on, on Place
be energising with a landscape like it's a bit late to join in, we jot down Régine Deforges, a writer who was
this. the contact details so we can come born in Montmorillon and who
It only takes us five minutes to back and test out the science of played a key role in establishing
walk to and cross the Old Bridge upstrokes and downstrokes. the Town of the Written Word and
and head into the beating heart of The Typewriter and Calculator Book Crafts (Cité de l'Écrit et des
Montmorillon: Town of the Written Museum (Musée de la Machine à Métiers du Livre) and who orga-
Word and Book Crafts (Cité de Écrire et à Calculer) is a must-visit nised the 1st Book Fair here, the
l'Écrit et des Métiers du Livre). This for anyone nostalgic about the panorama is perfect for a contem-
area opened twenty-odd years ago days when smartphones didn't plative break over the river and the
in the oldest part of town, groups exist. town. It's also time to take a few sel-
together bookshops, workshops, fies; it's not every day of the week
The best part of all is being able
craftspeople and museums, where you get an "Art and History" town
to try out some of the machines,
books and their related trades rei- backdrop! Let's leave the Town of
which we're eager to do. Oh,
gn supreme. Every door we open the Written Word and Book Crafts
how we revel in the sound of the
whisks us off into a new world. In (Cité de l'Écrit et des Métiers du
mechanical keys and the carriage
Au temps des Rossignol bookshop Livre) behind and head for the Mai-
release lever, as our pre-teens give
we discover the posters that used to son-Dieu, former monastery-hos-
us funny looks.
hang on walls in French classrooms, pital, where an octagonal-shaped
Our stroll takes us to the forecourt 12th century chapel awaits us. Mys-
Les chants de Maldoror propels us
of Église Notre-Dame (Notre- terious statues adorn its facade, so
into a realm of fantasy and, in Le
Dame Church), which is unfortuna- it's really worth a visit, even just for
festin de Babette, we indulge in
tely closed for renovation. the questions they spark.
gastronomy.
The Maison-Dieu site will host a Three-star Michelin chef, Régis Marcon, will
gastronomic landmark: the Institut be at the helm of this establishment where
International Joël-Robuchon, wor- tomorrow's gastronomy professionals
ld-renowned chef born near Poitiers. will be trained. The international culinary
A hotel-restaurant and a luxury spa will school will be set up in two other locations, on
open their doors in 2025 in this magnifi- Futuroscope's Fleur de Lotus (Lotus Flower) site
cent, impressive building. and at the Grand-Pont (Great Bridge) site in Chasse-
neuil-du-Poitou.
22LONG WEEKEND AWAY ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1 pm
Since we arrived here in Montmorillon, we
keep hearing the name of a restaurant:
Le Lucullus. Even though it's perfect for a
romantic meal, a gastronomic restaurant
is also a pure delight for a family lunch
with teenagers. Just as we're about to sit
down in this chic, sophisticated setting,
we're invited to partake in some delicious
appetisers to whet our appetite. The
menu invites to discover creative, fine
cuisine with an à la carte selection, a tas-
ting menu as well as a vegetarian menu,
according to your taste. Anyone who's in
a rush can opt for the menu of the day
where delectable dishes also make our
mouths water. In his kitchen, master chef
Alban Galpin favours seasonal food and
local produce. The combinations of tastes
and textures the chef proposes make
an impression right f rom the starter
through to dessert! Special shout out for
the sweetbread, which is always on the
menu and is garnished in different ways
depending on the seasons.
3 pm
It would be really crazy to visit Montmo-
rillon without tasting macaroons! This
delicious almond-flavoured biscuit-cake
has been the town's gastronomic show-
piece since the 17th century. So, to conti-
nue our day dedicated to eating well,
we move on to the Macaroon Museum
(Musée du macaron). The totally-rede-
signed tour that includes almond tree
growing, health virtues of almonds, the
history of the Rannou-Métivier family etc.
highlights the age-old know-how and
the desire to make it part of a sustainable
approach. No point in insisting, we're not
going to get the secret recipe. A tasting
session is proposed though to console us.
Too bad for the recipe, but these maca-
roons are so divine that even if we copied
them we'd never manage to equal them.
Our third day is coming to an end and it's
already time to leave, with our heads full
of images and memories to share over
and over. Unspoilt landscapes, rich, varied
heritage, original activities, yes, we can
indeed confirm, the "golden triangle's"
reputation is on a par with what we've
experienced!
23Here, in the Vienne, nature invites you into its realm and offers you
its very best. Whether it's during the day, at night, high in the air, on
land or along a waterway, it's not just one but a host of exhilarating
worlds that await to be enjoyed intensely.
Here, the enchanting forest tests you, mysterious caves (sometimes)
let you take control, rivers and lakes make you feel good and farm
produce fills your baskets...
Learn to listen to this soft music that nature discreetly hums to
you. Answer its call, head off to meet everyone and everything that
energises it on a daily basis!
2425
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
At one
with nature…
From the mountainous landscapes
of the steep-sided Vienne and
Gartempe valleys, through the
wine-growing slopes of the Loudun
region and onto the agricultural
plain around Neuville,
The Vienne boasts a myriad of diffe-
rent, dazzling perspectives.
These unspoilt, kaleidoscopic lands-
capes draw their lifeblood from the
earth and the rivers that weave their
way through them. Down through
the ages, they have been instru-
mental in shaping the identity of
this region.
The Vienne, a passageway
between north and south,
east and west, is also a welco-
ming land. Since time imme-
morial, women and men
have strived to harness these
spaces whilst continuing to
preserve them.
These invigorating lands-
capes are waiting, right here,
right now, inviting you to
take in and enjoy Nature's
very best. They motion you to
explore them, travel through
them. So, awaken your senses,
seize hold of the magical,
fascinating moment when
nature unfolds.
Give in to nature, be wonderstruck and
delight in the host of activities proposed
here!
You'll leave… energised!
However powerful and vigorous Nature
may be, it is also ever-so fragile and
deserves to be cared for. This is why
the Cabane du colibri (Hummingbird
Lodge), set at the heart of Monkey Val-
ley (Vallée des Singes) was created.
Preserve, make aware, train, to protect
biodiversity. All of us, at our own level,
have a role to play to ensure that tomor-
row's generations can also enjoy these
enchanting natural environments!
26THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS __________________________________________________________________________________________________
overflows with magic
The forest, mysterious and
unpredictable, all-embracing and
uplifting, has the power to renew its
charms to meet our expectations.
When you fancy "courliter" (1) along the banks of a river,
then head for the Clain, in the middle of the Valley of
Legends. If you remember to download the app on your
smartphone, Farfadette Duclain, a mischievous charac-
A treasure hunt, imagined by the French National
ter with super-cute pointy "argouanes" (2), will ensure
Forests Office, unveils the beauty and curiosities of
you get away from the evil creatures that "se capent"
Vouillé Forest in a fun-filled way. Once you've down-
(3) in these realms. No, it's not a load of "mentries" (4)
loaded the
and if you know how to "bouliter" (5), you may even
"Sur la piste de Merveille" (Looking for Merveille) app,
come across their "cabouinettes" (6). Across ridges and
head off along the path in Les
through gullies, from one bank to another, Farfadette
Clercs Wood, around 5km from
will entertain you with games and challenges, along a
the town of Vouillé.
3km itinerary starting out in Saint-Benoît or Ligugé
Merveille, an unlucky fairy,
Poitevin dialect taken from the "The Valley of Legends"
imprisoned by an evil spell, is
app: (1) strolling, (2) ears, (3) lurk, (4) nonsense,
counting on walkers to find the
(5) observe, (6) hideaways.
magic formula to set her free. It's
up to these humans, with their
compass and different clues, to
join together the fragments of a
magical parchment, to recreate
the formula.
A keen sense of observation and
agility will help you immensely
along this "enchanted" 3km route
covering fifteen-odd stages.
27__________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
A getaway under the trees is also
an opportunity to delight in Forest
Bathing.
"Cast all thoughts aside and let your
senses shine through", advises Bel-
linda, from Jardin Passion Nature.
As a guide and coach in Moulière
and Vouillé forests as well as in Saint-
Pierre Woods, she invites young and
old alike to smell, listen, touch, handle
and even create, to better immerse
yourself in every detail of this living
sphere around you. Suddenly, wit-
hout even realising, you're smiling.
Your perception of the forest has now
changed forever.
If you prefer the quiet life or
are a family with kids then
this should definitely be on
your to-do list.
Perfect
28THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS __________________________________________________________________________________________________
As a friend of the forest, there's no better place
to stay than in a house where sprites and lepre-
chauns live (Maison de farfadets). Anyone who feels a bit
of a "Hobbit" will be thrilled by this invitation proposed
by DéfiPlanet’ in Dienné. Under the oak stand, char-
ming round-shaped dwellings made from plant mate-
rial, boasting all the comfort you could wish for, kitchen,
bathroom, heating etc. accommodate up to 8 people.
Every little house bears the name of a sprite or lepre-
chaun: "Korrigan", "Petit bidou", "Courte patte" to name
but a few. The 50ha site, granted the "sustainable tou-
rism" label in late 2021, also delights with other dwellings
that are just as extraordinary and "totally nature", built on
the ground or high up in the trees. DéfiPlanet’, closed in
January, is open the rest of the year for fans of the woods.
29__________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Nature offers an incredible playground and discovery zone for those who
know how to appreciate it. Sleeping in a cabin several metres above
the ground, getting dressed up as a trapper from the Far North, losing your way
in a maze made with plants taller than you, walking along trails with a faithful
four-legged friend…
A variety of sites invite you to enjoy unforgettable moments in unspoilt natural
surroundings where you can don an adventurous spirit or go back to your roots..
A night in the realm of birds
When we were kids, we all dreamed of Here, there's no running water, no
building a treehouse and sleeping there electricity, yet the basic comfort
under the light of the moon. Parc de la doesn't stop you from feeling as if
Belle (Belle Park) in Magné enables you you're in a cocoon in this wooden
to rediscover your childhood soul. cabin. Eating as night sets in (once
15 treehouses, perched up to 15 metres you've picked up your meal that
high, designed to accommodate you've pulled up using a rope), chat-
between 2 and 6 people, offer you a vista ting, playing, listening to night-time
over a 12ha site boasting a wide array of noises etc. a host of simple pleasures
plants. Getting there is when the adven- that take on new meaning here.
ture begins as you have to use ladders During the night, the hoots of the
and cross monkey bridges. owls and the wind in the leaves will
lull you to sleep.
Your bearings will be turned topsy-turvy
when you head out unto your terrace A one-of-a-kind interlude, totally dis-
among the branches. connected from the world, to enjoy
time and again!
Strolling in step with a donkey or a llama
We all know that trekking can Wrongly reputed to be stubborn, the
sometimes be a turn-off for kids, donkey is endearing and an ama-
and adults too, but at la Belle Ânée, zing catalyst for meeting others. On
Estelle Roy has concocted the the organisation side, everything's
winning formula: proposing jaunts under control: after a short briefing
through unspoilt nature in rolling on the animal's little quirks, Estelle
landscapes starting out in Jazeneuil, Roy explains how to equip it and look
accompanied by a donkey… for a day after it, gives you a highly-detailed
or even more. roadmap for your journey and places
This wonderful travel companion, you can eat and sleep like campsites
which carries bags and tired and guesthouses if you head off for
toddlers, ensures you forget the a few days.
number of kilometres covered and This year, she also proposes half-day
adds extra soul to your excursion. tours accompanied by a llama. Once
again, it's sure to be a great success
with the kids!
30THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Losing your way Many visitors feel
a mix of anxiety
and pleasure for
in nature… the adventure
to come when
for the fun of it they f irst rush
into the gigantic
3ha corn maze in
Romagne, which flaunts the ever-
so perturbing name of "Infernal".
But, pretty quickly, with the twists
and turns and running round in
circles to find the way out, everyone
has great fun. Right next door to
this maze, which changes its layout
every summer, the 100% natural
"Le Sentier des Pas Perdus" park
(Trail of the Lost steps) proposes
something new to celebrate its
20th anniversary: a permanent
maze created using Miscanthus
(silvergrass).
A host of surprises awaits you in this
maze but we can't reveal anything
more. The site also invites to try
out its other successful mazes, the
grass one, easier yet just as much
fun, and the two theme-based
ones: the wood one with a medie-
val-focused game and the shrub
one all about protecting the envi-
ronment. Oh, and let's not forget
the sensory discovery trail that you
can stroll through barefoot and/
or blindfolded and the pedal-kart
track for frantic races with friends
or family covering a labyrinth of
routes of over 2km.
In a trapper's shoes
Log cabins, camping around He'll concoct a bespoke As night falls, after baking
the fire in canvas tents set break based on what you the traditional Banique
up deep in the heart of want to do: discovering the bread over a wood f ire,
nature… as soon as you enter history of the Far North, you'll be invited to share
the Kolyma Association's making arrowheads, blacks- typical trapper dishes before
hideout in Brion, you're mithing to make a knife, enjoying a night in a tent
immersed in another world. tanning hides, throwing and feeling totally free.
Frédéric Auzanneau invites thrusters, learning archery Your stay wouldn't be com-
you to step into the daily life etc. plete, however, without a
of Far North trappers for half dog sled ride.
a day or more.
31The map with the loop itineraries
is available in tourist offices
and local town halls.
32THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paradise by the riverside
Whatever the day, whatever the season, you can always get away
from it all along the banks of a river. La Sente Divine (The Divine
Trail) offers a welcoming 50km loop around the Montcontour region
along the enchanting Dive. Here, nature reigns in combinations
of blues and greens.
It delights walkers, cyclists and
horse riders. La Sente Divine
Where every landscape is unique
stretches f rom north to south, One of La Sente Divine's features La Sente Divine, refreshing during
from Sauzeau to La Grimaudière, is its great diversity of landscapes, the summertime, is also wonderful
via Moncontour, Marne, Saint- a blend of marshes and dry valleys, in its winter attire, when the wet
Chartres and Cerzay. These are all flower-filled prairies, cereal-crop marshes of Saint-Chartres sparkle
areas around the Dive, a river with plains, rolling slopes and hillsides. and extend to the willow woods.
crystal-clear water and an occa- Every stage of the itinerary has The steel works, imagined by local
sionally-leisurely, occasionally-ca- surprises in store, such as the sculptor Claude Baury, inters-
pricious course, whose meanders Lutineaux source, a magical site persed throughout the trail, are
are accompanied by brilliantly where biodiversity unites, or the monumental yet ethereal —mos-
waymarked trails. You've arrived bubbling sounds of Cerzay foun- quito, perch, water goddess…—,
in secret Poitou, overflowing with tains, which bring the pools of the and set off the natural landscape
tales and legends. old wash-house to life with their with an artistic touch.
gurgles. Exquisite vistas galore
over Moncontour Dungeon, the
wonderful abbey church at Saint-
Jouin-de-Marnes, or from the Puy
Taillé tumulus, over Maisoncelle
plain, a huge stage of a bloody
religious war in 1569.
Five themed discovery trails
A practical way to reach La Sente Divine is to park on one of the reception
areas on the outskirts of Sauzeau, Moncontour, Saint-Chartres and La
Grimaudière. From here, you can join the walking loops of varying lengths
that are perfect for families.
Each reception area proposes a themed discovery trail (two in Montcontour
along with Tèrra Aventura's "Laundry Cache" quest), which turns into a
treasure hunt in La Grimaudière. A host of games and little panels pro-
vide information and entertain. For example, in Sauzeau, where you'll be
treading in peat between the river and poplar groves, you'll learn that this
dark-hued earth was used as fuel for a long time and that a poplar tree
drinks up to 200 litres of water a day. All the Dive's secrets about biodiver-
sity, the history of the local population and legends that have spanned the
centuries are revealed to you.
33____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TITRE DU DOSSIER
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
SECRET WORLD OF CAVES
Caves fascinate with their beauty As soon as the word cave is mentioned, it immediately
and mystery. These natural conjures up prehistoric sites where our ancestors found
refuge. 15,000 years ago, in Angles-sur-l'Anglin, they took
cavities were formed by water the opportunity to sculpt animals, faces and bodies in them.
run-off on limestone ground. Although the original Roc-aux-Sorciers, the only one of its
kind in the world, is inaccessible to visitors, an interpretation
Over time, some were used by centre reveals the site's magic from April to September.
Humans and now unveil their Visitors gain insight into Events are held during
mysteries to those who enter the cave art as well as the daily the summer proposing
bowels of the Earth or follow the life and habits of Cro-Ma- workshops, evenings and
gnon people via a look & highlight moments. The
valleys. touch frieze and a three-di- prehistoric show "Tas d'os"
mensional reproduction of will take place on 3 August
the rock. and the Préhistoriales
(conferences and visits) will
be organised on 20 and 21
August.
34THE CALL OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rock carved
by former waterways
Another surprising place to explore:
Norée caves in Biard, the only
natural cavities in the Vienne open
to the public in summer. Oh what
pure delight it is to descend into the
bowels of the Earth in the Boivre
Valley to enjoy a bit of coolness!
The decor is a definite must-see.
Beautiful stalagmites, petrif ied
waterfalls, erosion potholes... these
strange shapes are centre staged
and invite for a stunning, natural
spectacle. At the end of the guided
tour, you'll know everything about
how this site was created, its history
and its legends.
Troglodyte wonders
If you'd like to discover troglodytic
houses, then head off on hiking
trails. Around Marigny-Brizay, the
limestone hillside was excavated
for its tuffeau (or tufa) stone. You'll
Later on, some caves were turned into troglo- catch a glimpse of houses and cellars along the tro-
dytic dwellings. To get a real feel for these unu- glodyte route that have been carved out of the rock
sual places, come and spend a night in Troglo and converted. This 14km loop blends woods and
du Coteau in Jaunay-Marigny (Gîtes de France). wide-open pathways with panoramic views over the
When Tony Dellion discovered this old house valley. Along the way, discover the charming Manoir
in 2016, he fell totally in love with it. It took him de la Marre, the Tour de Signy and a myriad of historic
four years to renovate this former farm, to add houses. The second section criss-crosses through
a touch of style and comfort and turn it into a Haut-Poitou vineyards and offers an exquisite vista
charming, simple yet ever-so cosy guesthouse. over the Château des Roches, or close by the Domaine
On the mezzanine, you'll literally be sleeping de la Rôtisserie. A Tèrra Aventura quest is also devoted
under the rock, bringing another dimension to this theme: "Cave Witch" in Saint-Rémy-sur-Creuse.
to your stay. To ensure this unusual experience The trail continues past a charming wash-house, the
is really one-of-a-kind, a jacuzzi has been set up Tour de Gannes, nearby the church and invites you to
at the end of the living room. This place is an discover the hidden side of this enchanting village. A
invitation to share secrets and to wind down. wonderful surprise awaits you at the end of your jour-
ney, a chapel built in the rock.
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