Ecophora

Getting out on foot is a lovely way to explore, and you can start easily enough by heading out on the two-kilometre trail from the site to a thousand-year-old oak tree – a wonderful place for a contemplative wander. There are several more excellent walking trails running through the local landscapes (ask on site for top tips), and both the Vélidéale and Vélo-Francette pass through Saint-Pardoux-Soutiers for those of you travelling on two wheels. The pretty town of Parthenay (20 minutes’ drive) is a really lovely place for a stroll as well – the medieval town is full of cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, cute cafés and sights like the Ancien Chateau du Parthenay. Heading the other way, you’ll get to the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park (40 minutes), where you can take a boat trip or canoe outing through the area known as the ‘Green Venice’. If you’ve got the kids with you, you may like to treat them to a big day out at Puy du Fou or Futuroscope – both are among France’s top attractions and around an hour’s drive from the site.