Les Jonquilles is an ideal French B & B from which to explore the Poitou Charentes and the whole of the south west region of France. Local villages and small towns such as St. Jean D’Angely, pretty Verteuil on the River Charente and Confolens on the River Vienne all have fascinating histories and architecture. The area has an interesting religious history. In the 16th century the Poitou Charentes particularly from La Rochelle to Melle was a battleground for the dominance of Roman Catholicism over the Protestant Huguenots. Today, there remains not only evidence of this history but a small active presence within the English community of Protestant Christianity now happily working alongside the existing Roman Catholicism.
Beaussais La Courade & the villages of Exoudun & Bagnault
Within a short driving distance of Les Jonquilles you will find the evidence of their history as Huguenots villages. The Protestant history museum at Beaussais and the royal abbey at Celles-sur-Belles are well worth a visit.
The Marais Poitevin
To the west of Niort, the capital of the Deux-Sevres departement, lies a maze of waterways centred on Coulon, where punts or rowing boats can be hired to explore the marshes and its pretty villages, quaysides and towpaths.
Futuroscope
This is a hi-tech theme park environment with futuristic buildings giving the visitor the opportunity to experience via the latest projection system technologies, exciting adventures on land, sea and in outer space.
La Rochelle
As a major tourist centre, La Rochelle has a lot to offer the visitor. Strolling around the Old Harbour, the network of cobbled streets and the elegant gardens of the Promenade, it is easy to see that the town still retains a certain style reminiscent of days gone by.
Saintes
On the banks of the river Charente, Saintes is a town dating from the 1st century A.D and has numerous architectural influences and archeological remains from the Roman occupation including an impressive Roman amphitheatre.
Royan
It is said that Royan was responsible for launching the fashion for sea bathing in the 19th century. It has five beaches sheltered from the westerly winds and from here you can explore the interesting coastline of the Gironde estuary.
La Valée des Singes
Acres of parkland provide a wonderful natural setting in which to see 30 species of primates from chimpanzees to gorillas. There is also a petting zoo with goats, ducks and chickens.
Zoodyssee
In the Foret de Chize more than 600 animals can be seen. The vegetation is appropriate to the habitat of the animals and has been planted to give them as close to a natural environment as possible. There is a mini farm and adventure playground. It is possible to explore on foot or take a horse-drawn carriage.
Angouleme
The Byzantine Cathedral of Saint-Pierre is an impressive structure and the 12th century statuary contains themes of the Ascension and Last Judgement and a superb Christ in Majesty surrounded by the Evangelists.
