LOCALITY:
Montignac Le Coq, in the region of Aquitaine, is an ideal location and is a little corner regarded by the Michelin Guides as a place of special beauty: although this is rural France and the pace of life very relaxed, there is also plenty to see and do for those who prefer a more active holiday. The region comes alive in spring and summer, with outdoor country fêtes galore. Within a 10-15 minutes drive there are villages full of activity, places to visit, enjoy a meal or a quiet drink in the shade. The picturesque old Roman town of Aubeterre, voted one of the prettiest villages in France, is only a short drive away. Wander up through the winding streets to the 12th century subterranean (Monolithic) church carved out of the rock or enjoy a drink on the village tree lined square where you'll find a variety of shops, small bistros, museums and all overlooked by a 1000 year old chateau. Walk on down to the river beach for a swim, relax and catch a bite to eat at the nearby cafe .
EATING OUT:
A wonderful choice of local restaurants mix culture and cuisine, both musically and artistically, and there is a wide selection to suit all tastes and pockets. From simple omelettes with wild mushrooms, to exquisite regional delicacies such as pan fried duck breast, thinly sliced and served on a bed of apple and fennel, whose flavours are enriched with the addition of locally produced foie gras and a hint of cognac! A folder in the house provides up to date details of the best places to choose from! Lively outdoor markets provide all the necessary ingredients for alfresco dining: from fresh olives, patés and orchard fruits to wines and cheeses from every corner of France!
PLACES TO VISIT:
Enjoy a drive along quiet country lanes to fine medieval cities such as Perigueux, Angouleme and Cognac each with a history of invasions and controversy yet now possess tiny medieval streets filled with enchanting shops, cafés and interesting features. Take time to savour the local restaurants that spill out across so many of the picturesque and bustling squares. Le Pible sits amongst the perfect countryside for avid ramblers or for those who enjoy a gentle stroll along the white stone tracks that criss-cross through the fields of sunflowers, golden corn and wildlife. Many famous Cognac houses offer guided tours, not forgetting tastings! Of course the world famous wine village of Saint Emilion is not far away where one can visit their traditional caves and buy bottles to enjoy during your vacation!
Fabulous beaches with surfing waves are within an hour and half drive, and nearby rivers make memorable picnic locations. Meander gently down the River Dronne in a canoe or pony trek through the stunning countryside, these and many other activities are all readily available.There are 9 and 18 hole golf courses within 40 minutes drive all excellently maintained and reasonably priced, but just 3 km away you will find the Manoir de Longeveau where there is a 9 hole golf course, several tennis courts, and a friendly welcome. Children will find plenty to occupy themselves and their families with activities ranging from crazy golf, horse riding and tree top adventure to day trip’s to the popular attractions of Aqualand Water Park, La Palmyre Zoo at Saint Palais and Futurescope. Between the months of June and September there are a variety of local festivals, ffêtestes and firework displays that take place in the local villages and towns which are always fun at any age!
TRAVEL:
Checkout both Michelin European Route Planner or Multimap in order to plan your route, they offer an interactive map for the whole of France.
FERRY PORTS
Very competitive fares are available on Brittany Ferries, Speed Ferries, Euro Tunnel and SeaFrance. For further options check out www.ferrybooker.com or www.speedferries.com • St. Malo – 5.5 hours by car.• Caen/Le Havre/Cherbourg 6.5 - 7 hours by car.• Calais/Boulogne – 8-9 hours easy driving by car.
AIR TRAVEL
• Flights from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow direct to Bordeaux, see www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr – 1.5 hours by car.• Stanstead to Angoulême, Bergerac or Poitier – www.ryanair.com – 1.5 hours by car.
• Southampton to Bergerac or Poitier – www.flybe.com – 1.5 hours by car
• Guest travelling from continents such as America or Australia should fly to Paris, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport www.adp.fr.
On arrival either rent or lease a car (5 hour drive) or see www.sncf.com for a TGV train from the Roissy - Charles de Gaulle station in terminal 2, straight down to Angoulême, and pick up a vehicle from there.
• Direct flights available from East Midlands, Manchester, and Glasgow to CDG.
TRAINS
Travel from London St. Pancras on Eurostar via either Paris or Lille, with a connection direct to Angoulême by the high speed TGV, see www.sncf.com. Journey time between 5.5 and 7 hours, alternatively contact www.raileurope.co.uk for details. Angoulême station is only 45 kms away, 35 minutes by car.
CAR HIRE
You will find all the major car hire companies at each of the airports www.world-airport-car-hire.co.uk as well as at Angoulême train station. Ada Car Hire are immediately opposite the station and always competitively priced.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
Arrive at any of the major ports and you will find excellent motorways to bring you on the bulk of your journey, all of which have organised picnic points and numerous fuelling stations where you can freshen up and enjoy a very good meal too. We will send you detailed instructions (plus SatNav coordinates) for finding Le Pible easily from the direction of Poitiers or any other point in which you might arrive in France.
Montignac Le Coq, in the region of Aquitaine, is an ideal location and is a little corner regarded by the Michelin Guides as a place of special beauty: although this is rural France and the pace of life very relaxed, there is also plenty to see and do for those who prefer a more active holiday. The region comes alive in spring and summer, with outdoor country fêtes galore. Within a 10-15 minutes drive there are villages full of activity, places to visit, enjoy a meal or a quiet drink in the shade. The picturesque old Roman town of Aubeterre, voted one of the prettiest villages in France, is only a short drive away. Wander up through the winding streets to the 12th century subterranean (Monolithic) church carved out of the rock or enjoy a drink on the village tree lined square where you'll find a variety of shops, small bistros, museums and all overlooked by a 1000 year old chateau. Walk on down to the river beach for a swim, relax and catch a bite to eat at the nearby cafe .
EATING OUT:
A wonderful choice of local restaurants mix culture and cuisine, both musically and artistically, and there is a wide selection to suit all tastes and pockets. From simple omelettes with wild mushrooms, to exquisite regional delicacies such as pan fried duck breast, thinly sliced and served on a bed of apple and fennel, whose flavours are enriched with the addition of locally produced foie gras and a hint of cognac! A folder in the house provides up to date details of the best places to choose from! Lively outdoor markets provide all the necessary ingredients for alfresco dining: from fresh olives, patés and orchard fruits to wines and cheeses from every corner of France!
PLACES TO VISIT:
Enjoy a drive along quiet country lanes to fine medieval cities such as Perigueux, Angouleme and Cognac each with a history of invasions and controversy yet now possess tiny medieval streets filled with enchanting shops, cafés and interesting features. Take time to savour the local restaurants that spill out across so many of the picturesque and bustling squares. Le Pible sits amongst the perfect countryside for avid ramblers or for those who enjoy a gentle stroll along the white stone tracks that criss-cross through the fields of sunflowers, golden corn and wildlife. Many famous Cognac houses offer guided tours, not forgetting tastings! Of course the world famous wine village of Saint Emilion is not far away where one can visit their traditional caves and buy bottles to enjoy during your vacation!
Fabulous beaches with surfing waves are within an hour and half drive, and nearby rivers make memorable picnic locations. Meander gently down the River Dronne in a canoe or pony trek through the stunning countryside, these and many other activities are all readily available.There are 9 and 18 hole golf courses within 40 minutes drive all excellently maintained and reasonably priced, but just 3 km away you will find the Manoir de Longeveau where there is a 9 hole golf course, several tennis courts, and a friendly welcome. Children will find plenty to occupy themselves and their families with activities ranging from crazy golf, horse riding and tree top adventure to day trip’s to the popular attractions of Aqualand Water Park, La Palmyre Zoo at Saint Palais and Futurescope. Between the months of June and September there are a variety of local festivals, ffêtestes and firework displays that take place in the local villages and towns which are always fun at any age!
TRAVEL:
Checkout both Michelin European Route Planner or Multimap in order to plan your route, they offer an interactive map for the whole of France.
FERRY PORTS
Very competitive fares are available on Brittany Ferries, Speed Ferries, Euro Tunnel and SeaFrance. For further options check out www.ferrybooker.com or www.speedferries.com • St. Malo – 5.5 hours by car.• Caen/Le Havre/Cherbourg 6.5 - 7 hours by car.• Calais/Boulogne – 8-9 hours easy driving by car.
AIR TRAVEL
• Flights from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow direct to Bordeaux, see www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr – 1.5 hours by car.• Stanstead to Angoulême, Bergerac or Poitier – www.ryanair.com – 1.5 hours by car.
• Southampton to Bergerac or Poitier – www.flybe.com – 1.5 hours by car
• Guest travelling from continents such as America or Australia should fly to Paris, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport www.adp.fr.
On arrival either rent or lease a car (5 hour drive) or see www.sncf.com for a TGV train from the Roissy - Charles de Gaulle station in terminal 2, straight down to Angoulême, and pick up a vehicle from there.
• Direct flights available from East Midlands, Manchester, and Glasgow to CDG.
TRAINS
Travel from London St. Pancras on Eurostar via either Paris or Lille, with a connection direct to Angoulême by the high speed TGV, see www.sncf.com. Journey time between 5.5 and 7 hours, alternatively contact www.raileurope.co.uk for details. Angoulême station is only 45 kms away, 35 minutes by car.
CAR HIRE
You will find all the major car hire companies at each of the airports www.world-airport-car-hire.co.uk as well as at Angoulême train station. Ada Car Hire are immediately opposite the station and always competitively priced.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
Arrive at any of the major ports and you will find excellent motorways to bring you on the bulk of your journey, all of which have organised picnic points and numerous fuelling stations where you can freshen up and enjoy a very good meal too. We will send you detailed instructions (plus SatNav coordinates) for finding Le Pible easily from the direction of Poitiers or any other point in which you might arrive in France.