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Special Interest holidays
Cyclists
There are now dedicated cycling and walking routes on former railway tracks right through France from Strondhiem to Spain. Traffic free "green roads" take you into the heart of the French countryside, through woodlands where you can explore the lovely countryside.
If you wish to use us as a stopping point on a long walk or cycle tour we can arrange to take your luggage on to your next stopover.
There are now dedicated cycling and walking routes on former railway tracks right through France from Strondhiem to Spain. Traffic free "green roads" take you into the heart of the French countryside, through woodlands where you can explore the lovely countryside.
If you wish to use us as a stopping point on a long walk or cycle tour we can arrange to take your luggage on to your next stopover.
French
If you would like to improve your French we can arrange in-house, lessons and conversation with a retired teacher who was born locally. She taught in Hong Kong and Switzerland. You can take the opportunity to improve fluency and gain an insight into life in rural France.
If you would like to improve your French we can arrange in-house, lessons and conversation with a retired teacher who was born locally. She taught in Hong Kong and Switzerland. You can take the opportunity to improve fluency and gain an insight into life in rural France.
Fishing
There is a lake in the village offering coarse fish and trout. The Gironde Estuary and Atlantic Coast provide great sea fishing. The nearby Charente river provides excellent fishing. You can fish for carp, bream, catfish, pikpearch and pike. The season for trout fishing on the Charente river is from 2nd week in March to the 3rd Sunday in September. All other fish can be fished for all year round.
For all freshwater fishing you will need a permit.
Fly fishing is also available in the Dordogne.
There is a lake in the village offering coarse fish and trout. The Gironde Estuary and Atlantic Coast provide great sea fishing. The nearby Charente river provides excellent fishing. You can fish for carp, bream, catfish, pikpearch and pike. The season for trout fishing on the Charente river is from 2nd week in March to the 3rd Sunday in September. All other fish can be fished for all year round.
For all freshwater fishing you will need a permit.
Fly fishing is also available in the Dordogne.
Horseriding
There are local stables providing lessons and hacks in the local countryside. We can also arrange Driving and tuition, For horse enthusiasts you can also visit stud farms breeding the Baudet donkeys, a rare and special breed which originated in the Charente.
There are local stables providing lessons and hacks in the local countryside. We can also arrange Driving and tuition, For horse enthusiasts you can also visit stud farms breeding the Baudet donkeys, a rare and special breed which originated in the Charente.
Painting
Tuition can be given in most mediums including mosaic work. The light here is exceptional so you may just like to bring your paints and do your own thing.
Tuition can be given in most mediums including mosaic work. The light here is exceptional so you may just like to bring your paints and do your own thing.
Cookery
Our cooking course includes hands on practical cooking, preparation of local dishes either in our well equipped kitchen with expert tuition or at a catering college.
Our cooking course includes hands on practical cooking, preparation of local dishes either in our well equipped kitchen with expert tuition or at a catering college.
Cognac Distillery and Chateaux Wine Tours
No visit to this region would be complete without learning about the famous Cognac Brandy which takes its name from the local appellation. We can take you to one of many local Cognac distilleries where the eau de vie is distilled in beautiful copper alambic stills (the word is Arabic and the Alambic was developed by the Moors originally for producing perfumes). The local producers sell under their own labels or provide spirit to the major brand name Houses which you can also visit. They also grow excellent Charentaise wines and the aperitif Pineau.
No visit to this region would be complete without learning about the famous Cognac Brandy which takes its name from the local appellation. We can take you to one of many local Cognac distilleries where the eau de vie is distilled in beautiful copper alambic stills (the word is Arabic and the Alambic was developed by the Moors originally for producing perfumes). The local producers sell under their own labels or provide spirit to the major brand name Houses which you can also visit. They also grow excellent Charentaise wines and the aperitif Pineau.
Bird Watching
The varied flora of the area and style of agriculture/viticulture encourage many species. Birds sighted in Le Tatre by an amateur ornithologist staying in August were:
Hoopee, Black Redstart, Serin, Black Kite and Zetling Cisticole.
Birds we have either seen or heard throughout the year (although we should point out that we have no expertise as bird watchers and rely on our bird watching guests to educate us!
Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, swallow, mallard, buzzard, kestrel, magpie, carrion crow, nightingale, woodpeckers.
Around the second week of March we wake up to the marvellous sound of the Dawn Chorus heralding the start of Spring.
For waders and seabirds the Gironde Estuary and Atlantic Coast provide many more opportunities.
The varied flora of the area and style of agriculture/viticulture encourage many species. Birds sighted in Le Tatre by an amateur ornithologist staying in August were:
Hoopee, Black Redstart, Serin, Black Kite and Zetling Cisticole.
Birds we have either seen or heard throughout the year (although we should point out that we have no expertise as bird watchers and rely on our bird watching guests to educate us!
Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, swallow, mallard, buzzard, kestrel, magpie, carrion crow, nightingale, woodpeckers.
Around the second week of March we wake up to the marvellous sound of the Dawn Chorus heralding the start of Spring.
For waders and seabirds the Gironde Estuary and Atlantic Coast provide many more opportunities.
Chateaux and Gardens
Though not the classic Loire there are a number of Chateaux with interesting gardens and wonderful wine. We are within an hour of St Emilion now a UNESCO heritage village producing its world renowned wines.
All of these suggestions are on a pick and mix basis, you just choose which you want and we can fix it into your holiday schedule
Though not the classic Loire there are a number of Chateaux with interesting gardens and wonderful wine. We are within an hour of St Emilion now a UNESCO heritage village producing its world renowned wines.
All of these suggestions are on a pick and mix basis, you just choose which you want and we can fix it into your holiday schedule
Walking
This is a great area for walking. It is one of the most relaxing ways to explore this rural landscape and to discover the hidden charms and history of the south Charente.
We can introduce you to a variety of walks, some for serious walkers, or some suitable for a day out with the family. There are many wonderful walks around the vicinity of Le Tatre or within a short drive. Each walk we introduce you to has something special to offer: fields of dozens of rare orchids, ruined fortresses, Romanesque churches, abbeys, charming red-roofed farmhouses, tiny hamlets located amongst vineyards. You are allowed to walk in vineyards with care. There are some lovely walks along the banks of the river Charente.
We can arrange for you to follow the Frankton Trail, the escape route followed by Lt. Col. Blondie Hasler and Marine Bill Sparks, the only two Cockellshell Heroes to return from the raid on Bordeaux Harbour during World War II. They walked from Blaye on the Gironde to Ruffec in the north Charente just over 100 miles through occupied France. You can make part of the same walk, now marked as a Heritage Route which passes about five kilometres from our village. Many other local walks are available many starting from here for which we can provide maps and walking notes.
This is a great area for walking. It is one of the most relaxing ways to explore this rural landscape and to discover the hidden charms and history of the south Charente.
We can introduce you to a variety of walks, some for serious walkers, or some suitable for a day out with the family. There are many wonderful walks around the vicinity of Le Tatre or within a short drive. Each walk we introduce you to has something special to offer: fields of dozens of rare orchids, ruined fortresses, Romanesque churches, abbeys, charming red-roofed farmhouses, tiny hamlets located amongst vineyards. You are allowed to walk in vineyards with care. There are some lovely walks along the banks of the river Charente.
We can arrange for you to follow the Frankton Trail, the escape route followed by Lt. Col. Blondie Hasler and Marine Bill Sparks, the only two Cockellshell Heroes to return from the raid on Bordeaux Harbour during World War II. They walked from Blaye on the Gironde to Ruffec in the north Charente just over 100 miles through occupied France. You can make part of the same walk, now marked as a Heritage Route which passes about five kilometres from our village. Many other local walks are available many starting from here for which we can provide maps and walking notes.
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