Annepont, Charente Maritime, France

Get an overview of the area at www.charente-maritime.org

Nearest Airport :  
La Rochelle at 50 Km

Nearest Ferry :  
St Malo at 330 Km

Nearest Train :  
St Savinien at 6 Km

Nearest Motorway :  
A10 Junction 34 and 35 at 15 Km

Nearest Beach :  
Royan at 32 Km

Micro-Climate. Official statistics show that the Charente-Maritime has approximately 2600 hours of sunshine a year compared with about 1600 hours of sunshine in Northern France.  In hours of sunshine the Charente region is second only to the Riviera. 

Much is said of the Charente's wonderful Micro-Climate but,
micro or not, it's a very pleasant spot !!  
… and sunshine does lift the spirits !!

Cognac. Talking of lifting spirits, Cognac is the place !!  Home to Martell, Hennessy, Courvoisier, Remy Martin, and many others too numerous to name, Cognac is well worth a visit.  Annepont is on the border of Cognac country and just 35 mins from Cognac. 
www.le-cognac.com/general_faq_visites_us.html

Also big in the area but less well known is Pineau, a wine fortified with cognac. The locals drink it chilled as an aperitif.

Golf.  Cognac also has a great 18 hole golf course twisting through the vineyards.  www.golfducognac.asso.fr/    Alternatively try the region's oldest course, Louis-Rouyer Guillet, at nearby Saintes - www.ville-saintes.fr/EXT/golf/golf_site.html - This club shares its park with the remains of the old Roman aqueduct to Saintes.    Royan in the heart of the Foret de la Coubre is another fine undulating 18 hole course with great views of the Atlantique. www.golfderoyan.com/ 

It's rarely a problem getting a tee time and courses are not crowded.

Royan.  Half an hour from Annepont Royan has the feel of the Riviera with little sandy coves and waterfront restaurants.

Art & History. Saintes on the Charente was the capital of the region in times gone by and traces its history back to the Romans. www.ot-saintes.fr/gbsainteshistorique.htm Its Roman Amphitheatre, the Abbaye aux Dames, its Cathedral, its Art Museums are just 15 minutes from Annepont. In the other direction a similar distance is St Jean d'Angély, another mediaeval market town and a favourite stop for pilgrims on the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestela. And just 2km dowm the road is the castle of Taillebourg, overlooking the Charente and the scene of several French English mediaeval encounters.

Chateaux. Turn a corner and there's another glorious French chateau !!  Visit the Chateau de la Roche Courbon with its classic formal gardens and ornamental lake. www.t3a.com/larochecourbon/  
Or visit Le Chateau de Crazannes with its great stone carvings. www.crazannes.com/ Nearby is the Crazannes stone quarry where sculptors still work their art today.

Markets.  A little way downstream from Taillebourg lies the picturesque town of
St Savinien on the Charente which, at just 5km from Le Moulin d'Annepont, is the closest market town. The French take their markets very seriously and the range of produce is beautifully displayed : meats, vegetables, fish, and mountains of oysters for which the region is justifiably famous. (Charente Maritime supplies France with 50% of their beloved huitres !).  The larger markets at St Jean d'Angély and Saintes are worth visiting, but don't be late, they start to pack up at around midday.

La Rochelle. You cannot come to this region without visiting the historic seaport of La Rochelle, just 45 minutes drive away. This old town with its arcaded shopping streets, its fabulous market, and the seaport with yacht harbour lined by seafood restaurants and bars is a real sight to enjoy.

Nearby is L'Ile de Ré, a holiday makers paradise. Little fishing harbours with pavement cafés are wonderfully relaxing. Most people get around the island by bicycle.

Bicycling.  Cycling is a passion in France as becomes very evident during La Tour de France.  Around Annepont the local countryside with virtually traffic free roads is ideal for cycling.  Borrow our bikes, explore the locality and just absorb the ambience.

The Charente River. The beautiful Charente river, some 3 km away, winds its way from beyond Angoulème through Cognac, Saintes and St Savinien and out to sea via Rochefort. The river was the main route, in days gone by, that Cognac was exported to the rest of the world.  Now it provides wild life in abundance, fishing and boating.  River cruises during the season are run from Saintes.

Food and Wine.  Are you joking ? We are in France where La Gastronomie has been elevated to an art form !!  All around are restaurants and we'll be pleased to recommend some of our favourites.  Bordeaux vineyards are 1 hours drive with the centre of Bordeaux a further 30 minutes on.