🏃‍♂️ Sports and outdoor activities 🌳 Nature and outdoor sports Sports resorts and bases Base de loisirs de Saint-Cyr (Beaumont-Saint-Cyr) - large nature area (~300 ha) with activities such as mountain biking, orienteering, kayaking, paddle, hiking, quad biking, golf, fishing, sailing and more. Walks & hikes Route européenne d'Artagnan - hiking and horse-riding routes between typical Poitou villages (Oyré, Usseau, Ingrandes), varied trails and rural landscapes. Networks of signposted footpaths around the Moulière forests and the Vienne/Clain valley (walks and cycle rides). Fishing and water sports Lac de Saint-Cyr - fishing, swimming, water sports, vélo-rail, minigolf and orienteering. Unusual sports in the Vienne Tyrolean traverse, cani-rando/cani-karting, paramotoring around the Poitiers region, diving in a nautical centre, 4×4 scooters, and cani-hiking experiences with dogs. 🏊‍♂️ Sports facilities & centres Centre sportif de la Ganterie (Poitiers) - swimming pool (indoor/outdoor), balneotherapy area, gym and multi-sports centre. Walking parks and fitness trail in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou (street-workout mentioned by regulars). 🗺️ Places to visit and leisure activities in the area 🏙️ Towns and heritage Poitiers - a historic city with a rich heritage (medieval streets, parks, gardens, museums, religious sites). Jardin des Plantes de Poitiers - beautiful urban botanical garden. Jardin botanique universitaire de Poitiers - large botanical park with varied collections. Châtellerault - a town steeped in history (art and industry museums, old bridges, etc.). 🏛️ Tourist highlights Futuroscope - innovative theme park and thrills (some attractions expected depending on the season). La Vallée des Singes (Romagne) - a unique animal park with free-roaming primates (nature activity by the day). Angles-sur-l'Anglin - one of France's most beautiful villages, ideal for walks and photography. Fontevraud Abbey: the largest monastic city inherited from the Middle Ages. The recumbent tomb of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Saint Savin Abbey: listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Romanesque mural paintings. The Châteaux of the Loire: Chenonceau, Chambord, Villandry, Azay le Rideau, Amboise and many more. Le Cos Lucé in Amboise: home of Leonardo da Vinci. Vineyards: Chinon, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Vouvray 🌿 Nature & peaceful sites Arboretum de Neuville-de-Poitou - easy nature walk for the whole family (around 3 km of tree-lined path). Pinail national nature reserve (near Châtellerault) - protected natural area ideal for walking, wildlife discovery and observation. 🚴‍♂️ Combined culture + sport outings Here are some ideas for full-day itineraries: 🗓️ Itinerary 1: Water sports + nature Morning - kayak or paddle on Lac de Saint-Cyr. Picnic lunch or lunch on site. Afternoon - nature walk in Saint-Cyr or around the Pinail reserve. 🗓️ Itinerary 2: Heritage & walks Morning - visit Poitiers (cathedral, museums, gardens). Lunch in the city centre. Snack - walk through the arboretum at Neuville-de-Poitou. 🗓️ Itinerary 3: Wildlife park & walk Morning - visit to La Vallée des Singes. Lunch in a local village. Afternoon - hike along a section of the Route d'Artagnan or another signposted trail.

This gîte is ideal for a variety of outings or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the Poitou region. In the immediate vicinity, the Saint Gervais les 3 clochers aquatic centre, Richelieu park, St Georges de Faye la Vineuse collegiate church, 220 km of waymarked footpaths ... Within a 50 km radius, the Futuroscope, Fontevraud Abbey, the historic centres of Tours and Poitiers, the towns of Loudun, Chinon, Chatellerault and its Automobile Museum, the famous vineyards of Haut-Poitou and Chinonais, the new Center Parc du Bois aux Daims... Within a 100 km radius, the Poitevin marshlands, the châteaux of the Loire, Snake Island, Monkey Valley, Crocodile Planet, Doué la Fontaine zoo, Le Puy du Fou...