For the adventurous, there is white water canoeing at Mansle (approx 3 miles) or simply drift down the Charente at a more sedate pace...

Angoulémé with its beautiful architecture, famous annual comic strip festival (the worlds largest) and its many shops and restaurants is only 25 minutes away.

Cognac and its historic distillery houses are about 40 minutes away and well worth a visit. There's a Blues festival in July that attracts some fine musicians from around the world.

The Atlantic coast with its truly magnificent beaches is just over an hour away - a visit to one of the many quayside restaurants at La Rochelle is an experience not to be missed.

There are supermarkets, boulangeries, and daily markets selling wonderful fresh produce - all within a short drive from the Les Deffends.

Climate

The Charente enjoys a 'micro' climate and is considered to be amongst the sunniest places in France, next to the Cote d'Azur. April through to September are normally the best months. Although it is not unusual to be able to sit outside for a drink in November!