I will give you a little information about the area we live. France is composed of Regions similar to the county system in the UK. These are divided into Departments (similar to boroughs), which are then further divided into communes. La Grue which is part of the commune of Mons and is on the border of Department’s 16 the Charente and 17 Charente-Maritime; two of the four Departments that make up the region of Poitou-Charentes.

The area is rich in tradition, architecture and a gastronomic pleasure, not to mention natural wonders. Poitou-Charentes counts among its treasures roman ruins, long sandy beaches less than a hours drive from us, beautiful green rivers and waterways of the Mararis Poitevin and of course the very picturesque town of Cognac.

Cognac is a great place to spend a day learning about the region's famous spirit, lots of boat trips on the river are available and distillery visits with plenty of free samples are a must! Perhaps you might like to just wander around the old town or sit in the square watching the world go by.

The lovely small towns tell a story of Poitou-Charentes. Angoulême, about half an hours drive from us has roman remains, La Rochelle (one hours drive) with its medieval houses and 18th century homes built for ship owners and traders is we think a fantastic place to spend a day walking around and having a long lunch on the quayside watching the boats come and go.

The region has 450km's of coastline to explore and the sea plays an important role in the history and culture of the region. Fresh oysters, mussels and fish can be found at every local market; they sell everything from chickens to tractors!

The markets become very addictive and are a great way to spend a morning before it becomes too hot and you will want to return to La Maison Bleu and take advantage of our large, heated pool and soak up some of the hot sun that comes with being in the Charente micro-climate.

There are many inland lakes nearby to visit that are suitable for swimming or fishing, or just take a picnic for the day. The lakes have life-guards on duty and play areas for the children. These can be busy at weekends and on Wednesdays as the majority of French schools are not open.

Liens

Aigre
La Rochelle
Futuroscope
Cognac Gautier
Western France Tourist Board
Visit Charente