The roads of France are a joy for motoring on two or four wheels and the roads of central France are no exception. From the cottage you can travel on wonderful quiet roads discovering all that is best of rural France. The resturants and café's, beautiful unspoilt villages and the world heritage area of the Loire Valley waiting for your visit.

The chart below gives an indication of the facilities close to the cottage. The modern leisure pool at Chatillion sur Indre has all the facilities for young and young at heart including spa pool and fun slide for children.

Activities and distances in Kilometres:
 

30 minute drive South

This park, created in 1989, covers 160,000 hectares and is made up of a mixture of habitat types: water, woodland, heaths and meadows. It is one of France's most important inland wetlands.

The park will appeal to people with diverse interests:

It is possible to see purple heron; black-necked grebe; bittern; marsh harrier, whiskered tern as well as many species of duck.

There are kilometres of quiet roads or shaded woodlands to suit all types of cyclists, whether experienced or not.

Red and Roe deer are hunted from September to March. The wildfowl (mainly duck) season is mid-August to February. Smaller game is hunted between late September and the start of January.

Hiking circuits pass many of the privately owned lakes and it is possible to purchase the routes for these from the Maison du Parc (details later). Many walks also have conveniently situated information boards providing details on the wildlife and landscape.

River fishing and classic lake fishing are available, as well as no-kill carp fishing in some of the lakes.

The Bellebouche Leisure Centre has many fun activities for families, including swimming, canoeing, sailboards and pedalos to name a few.

The lakes are home to huge quantities of fish and these are farmed between October and March. 2000 metric tons of fish are produced of which 65% is Carp, most of which is exported. Restaurants in the area serve a variety of local fish.

For any visitor to the Parc, a must is a trip to the Maison du Parc which is the main Visitor Centre. Here you will find exhibitions, slide shows and information about the wildlife to be seen.

It is possible to buy many locally produced articles, and if you are hungry, a small bar serves delicious snacks made from local produce (Carp frites, farmers salad, to name two).

At weekends and everyday in high season there is an expert naturalist available who can give details of where and how to see local flora and fauna.

More information in English is available on the website: www.parc-naturel-brenne.fr

45 minutes North

For much of the 15th and 16th centuries, Amboise was a favourite residence of the French kings, although much of the original chateau has now gone. Enough remains, however, to give the visitor a flavour of the glittering life enjoyed by the courtiers.

Perhaps the most famous resident of Amboise was Leonardo da Vinci who arrived there as painter, engineer and architect to Francois 1. He lived in the Manoir du Clos-Lucé which now houses an impressive collection of his drawings and full-size models of some of his inventions.

Amboise boasts a large Sunday morning market, selling everything from plants and flowers to local cheeses and bread with a huge range of items - including the kitchen table - in-between.

More information about Amboise can be found on the official tourist web-site: www.amboise-valdeloire.com

Red, white, rosé or fizz, its all here from tiny specialist producers to large sophisticated vineyards. The nearest award-winning vineyards are about half an hour away - and there are lots more in the region. Quincy, Reuilly, Chinon, St Nicholas de Bourgeuil, Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, Pouilly-fume, Sauvignon blanc, Vouvray, are all within easy reach of the gite.

We can suggest itineraries which include small country restaurants to make your day out complete.

Click here to view the article which was sent to the MG magazine (or right click on the link and 'Save Target As...' to download). Acrobat Reader required.