Things to Do at La Plaine and in the surrounding area.
At La Plaine you will find plenty to do at times when you don't want to go out. The garden is secluded and you will always find a sunny or a shady spot to sit and read, to sunbathe or just to relax with a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
Swimming.
There is a 10m x 5m swimming pool with a deep end for diving and a shallow end with Roman Steps. The pool has an alarm for security. Children can also play and paddle in the shallow river or swim in the lake. In most places the water is shallow near the edges but there are a couple of places where children must be supervised.
Activities for children.
Children love running around in the woods, playing chase and hide and seek, making dens, cooking over campfires (depending on the season). There is a tree house, a rope swing over the mill stream and a double rope bridge over the river onto an island. Parents must be responsible for their children at all times. Click here to see some photos.
Walking.
There are walks along ancient woodland cart tracks or by the river and around the lake. A walk up into our oak woods gives shade on a hot day with views along the valley and places to rest, to have a picnic etc. If you wish you can continue on and explore the surrounding countryside or go the long way round to the local shop, boulangerie or restaurant.
Canoeing.
We have three children's canoes which children may use by arrangement and under parents supervision. There is also a small boat for older children and adults and on which adults can take younger children. Lifejackets are available. You can also hire canoes locally on the river Tardoire at Montbron and on the river Dronne at Brantome.
You are welcome to fish in the lake. Children must be accompanied by an adult while fishing in the large lake since there are some very big fish. We ask that you return all fish unharmed, particularly the larger carp. There are numerous species of fish in both lakes. So far we have caught carp, pike, zander, perch, eels and other (as yet unidentified!) small fish. You can also fish in the local lakes and rivers in season. You will need a departmental or national permit, available from the local Mairie.
The area is rich in wildlife, with wild boar and deer living nearby in the woods, bats in the barns and coypu on the river. You might be lucky enough to see deer, coypu and hares but are unlikely to spot the wild boar although you will find their tracks. Children enjoy watching the lizards which live in the stone walls and searching for the harmless water snakes. You might also spot a black and yellow salamander in the woods. You will probably see the barn owl which lives in the barn, you will certainly hear barn owls and tawny owls. Kingfishers, herons and ducks are often seen around the lake and along the river, and occasionally we see waders. Buzzards are common and other raptors including merlins, kestrels and hen harriers live in the area. There are also smaller garden birds, hoopoes, woodpeckers, jays, blackbirds, thrushes, redstarts, blue tits, great tits, pied and grey wagtails, finches etc. Butterflies, bees and other insect life provide another interest.
In late summer and autumn there are many varieties of fungi, incuding ceps and chanterelles which you are welcome to collect. See some pictures here.
Horse riding.
There is a horse riding locally at St Estephe and the Gorges du Chambon and randonées/ trekking on Icelandic horses at St Sornin. We have a cob and an Icelandic horse which are always willing to have a chat over the fence.
Cycling.
We have a selection of children's and adults' bikes which you may be able to borrow by prior arrangement. You can cycle safely on local roads and tracks and there is a network of specialist off-road cycle tracks nearby, all signposted. Maps and guides are available in the gite. See the links page about bringing your own bikes to France by train.
Astronomy.
Amateur astronomers can enjoy clear dark skies in summer and often in winter too, with almost no light pollution. The Milky Way is clearly visible on dark nights. We are in a valley with trees around us, so some areas of the sky are not visible from here, but a short drive or walk will bring you into open countryside. There is also an observatory at Angouleme which you can visit.
Golf.
There is a nine hole golf course not far away near Montbron and others further afield.
Karting.
There is a karting centre at Teyjat, about 10km away, with go-karts, quads and mini-quads. Brochures are available in the gite.
Tennis.
There are indoor and outdoor tennis courts available, owned and run by the local commune, ie village. There are other courts nearby and a tennis club at Nontron.
Eating out.
Our local village is about a mile away, so within walking distance for most people. There is a shop, a boulangerie and a restaurant with a terrace beside the 12th century church. The restaurant serves mainly traditional local dishes, 11 euro menu de jour (four courses and wine) at lunchtime and set menus from 13 euros or a la carte in the evenings. We can recommend other restaurants in the area depending on your tastes and budget.