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Lathus-Saint-Remy
About 1.5km by road (or chemin) passing the equestrian centre is the village of LATHUS with a small supermarket which includes the butchers, there are two boulangeries (one who deliver direct to our farm most mornings), florist, doctor, pharmacy, post office, bar/restaurant and bank.
Lathus dating from Gallo-Roman times, has its granite-built Church of Saint Maurice (12th – 13th Century) plus dolmen (rocks) of Marchain and several chateaux (e.g. Ouzilly, le Ché and Cluzeau-Bonneau).
Heading 1km in the opposite direction to the village from the cottage, you find the wild beauty of the Roc d’Enfer (Stone of Hell) astride the rapids of the Gartempe river.
In a quieter part of the river past the chateau de Chez Rogan but still within 1.5km of Chez Tartaud, is the small swimming beach, picnic area and an excellent restaurant.
A whole host of activities are on offer locally
on the river and at the neighbouring Centre de Plein Air and Equestrian Centre such as
- fishing,
- canoeing,
- sailing,
- tennis,
- mountain bikes,
- rock climbing,
- archery,
- horse riding and
- the educational farm.
Lathus is the regional capitol of canoe-kayak and is appreciated for slalom (class 3 & 4) with regular competitions and training events throughout the year.
15 minutes drive north of Chez Tartaud is the main town of MONTMORILLON
where you can find larger supermarkets and shops, the tourist office, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, cinema, cafes, restaurants and Wednesday morning market.
If you have a sweet tooth you shouldn’t leave without visiting the almond and macaroon museum. Steeped in history, the medieval quarters of Montmorillon host La Cité de L’Écrit et des Métiers du Livre which provides a host of shops and activities surrounding the world of words, writing, paper and bookmaking. But you will also want to visit the Maison Dieu with its ancient octagon, the protected façade of the Saint Laurent Chapel, the frescos and medieval fortifications and beautiful gardens which offer a panoramic view of the town over the river Gartempe.
Montmorillon is also in the centre of the Valle des fresques and within easy reach of Saulgé (painting of the 19th Century) Jouhet (frescoes of the 15th Century) Pindray with more frescoes and the chateau de Pruniers, Antigny, Saint-Germain and finally Saint-Savin where the abbey has been acclaimed by UNESCO on its World Heritage List..
Other nearby attractions include
the Valley des singes (Monkeys) at Romagne, the Ilse des Serpents (snakes and amphibians) at La Trimouille, Les Géants du Ciel (spectacular bird show within the ruins of an ancient castle) at Chauvigny.
A little further a field but little more than an hours drive is one of France’s most amazing theme parks Futuroscope. This incredible experience – with rides and laser displays – is dedicated to the world of cinema and the moving image, and is a real must-see for all but the very young
POITIERS itself also deserves a full day out
although it is only an hours drive from Chez Tartaud, as a bustling cosmopolitan city with much historical interest the many narrow alleyways situated around its historic university. The countryside is delightful, with some of France’s finest cheeses and wines coming from Poitou Chatentes. A regional speciality is a ripe Charantaise melon, halved and filled with Pineau, a local aperitif.
The distilleries around Cognac, and the Roman remains at Saintes, are all worth a day out visit.
Being on the boarder with Limousin
there are also several porcelain factories nearby where you can buy the world famous “Limoges pottery and enamel work”. Or why not visit the porcelain museums in LIMOGES - now a city of greenery and flowers, only an hours drive south from Chez Tartaud.
Pretty villages dot the landscape in the Limousin, and the area is famous for cherries and plumbs – visit in early spring and the blossoms are stunning. The local cuisine includes cherry clafoutis – a sort of sweet yorkshire pudding – and the liqueure made from local fruit and nuts are delicious.
A little nearer but still in the Limousin,
ORADOUR-SUR-GLANE is a village like no other, now open as a visitors centre. It is kept as a memorial to the horrific massacre that was visited on it and its inhabitants by a retreating German SS Panzer division. Driving into Oradour you see the ruins of the village decreed as a memorial by President de Gaulle lest we ever forget.
On your return from Oradour and to lift your spirits, you should stop for a coffee in the lovely village of MORTEMART, designated as one of the prettiest villages in France.
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There are a wealth of other activities and sights too long to mention on this site but are included in the Information Pack in the cottage.
Whether your seeking energetic and sensational sports or simply wishing to relax and enjoy the peaceful beauty (perhaps with a helping of local gastronomy and wines) I hope you have gathered a flavour of the area surrounding Chez Tartaud.
For further information email us at: vivien.kay@orange.fr