La Chimère (the dream) is a 150-year-old stone built farmhouse set in a rural hamlet yet close to local amenities, making a perfect base for exploring or unwinding. Easy to find, we are about halfway between the Roman town of Melle and the market town of Sauze Vaussais, on the D948.

 Melle (15 minutes) offers Roman silver mines and a specimen-tree lined walk, and Market on Fridays.  Niort (about 45 minutes) has good shops including several brocante (antique and collectable) depots and a busy market.  Saintes (50 minutes) offers river trips, a walk around the Roman amphitheatre, the abbey or the pedestrian centre.  Poitiers (45 minutes) has the world renowned Futuroscope, well worth a visit, and large shopping centre.  At Cognac (50 minutes) try a guided visit of one of the distilleries or just enjoy the lively cafe life. 

The Atlantic coast is just over an hour away with good beaches at Chatelaillon, Angoulins, Fouras.  Discover maritime history at Rochefort and enjoy a meal at one of La Rochelle’s renowned seafood restaurants.

 For the more lively, numerous and varied sports activities within easy reach include swimming, golf, fishing, horse riding, go-karting and bowling.