Le Four à Pain (main house sleeps 10)
This property is thought to be about 350 years or even older and has a wealth of charm and character, with oak beams throughout, but has all modern conveniences.
Large fully fitted kitchen with a real "WOW" factor.

Masses of character with original beams and the old bread oven in the large fireplace, yet with modern fitted units and conveniences. Plenty of cupboard space and worktops enough to prepare a banquet! Well equipped with dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, freezer, gas cooker and microwave. Iron and ironing board. This house is fully equipped for up to 10 people.

Large, bright and spacious but cosy lounge and dining room with a wealth of character. Ample seating with a suite in typical French style and a comfortable, metal action double bed settee. Colour T.V. and DVD player. Ceiling fan lights. The lounge is open into the dining room, with it's feature woodburning fire, beamed ceilings and natural stone wall. Large dining table and chairs and a sideboard.

Chef-Boutonne: our nearest town (7kms away). Here you will find supermarkets, boucheries, boulangeries, cafes and restaurants. There is an open air market on saturday mornings. Should the need arise, (though hopefully not!) There are also doctors and dentists.

Melle: is a romanesque market town 10 kms away from tillou. The market is every friday. Look out for the colourful fish and seafood stalls. Buy some mussels to cook or some oysters from the ile de re, they're very good.

Plan d'eau de Lambon: here you can take the kids for a day out at a lake where they can swim, play in the park and enjoy a picnic.

Confolens: a very picturesque town straddling the river vienne, with it's medieval bridge and winding streets. Why not take a picnic and sit on the river banks or eat in one of the restaurants overlooking the river. Further along their is the small medieval village of st.germain de confolens. Visit the castle ruins high on the hill with fantastic views of the surrounding area.

Cognac: famous for it's distilleries, which you can tour and see how the amber coloured spirit is made. Try a sample and maybe buy some from the shop to take home. We can recommend the remy martin distillery as being well worth a visit, but there are many others we have not yet tried and tested - but we're working on it!

La Rochelle: yachting port where many famous yacht races start or finish. It has historic twin castle towers at the entrance to the harbour and marina. There are many restaurants and pavement cafes where you can enjoy a meal or a drink and watch the world go by. A trip to the aquarium is sure to be of interest at any age. It is one of the best we have seen. Further down the coast is the seaside town of royan with it's sweep of golden sands. The coast around the area is very rugged and there are many rocky coves to explore.

Niort: a very large town and the administrative capital of the department deux-sèvres. The town lies on the banks of the sèvres niortaise river. Many and varied restaurants where you can enjoy a 3 course lunch for only 10 euros. Pedestrianised, winding streets with lots of interesting shops.

Marais Poitevin: also known as venise verte (green venice) with 600kms of canals and rivers. Here you can take a slow punt down the river.

Futuroscope (photo above right): a futuristic theme park based on 3d technology will keep you interested for hours. At night the finale is a fantastic laser light show and fireworrks. A full and exhausting, but happy day out.

Limoges: famous for the fine porcelain pottery of the same name. Quaint streets and shops.

Only 4 hours drive from St. Malo, which is the nearest ferry port. Approximately 5.5 hours from Roscoff and 6 hours from Caen ferry ports

Ferry sailings available from www.posl.com
Less than one hour from TGV stations at Poitiers and Ruffec. Pick up from trains can be arranged.