GR021

Le Lizot en Saintonge

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A relaxing retreat close to France's wonderful Atlantic coast

Le Lizot is located in the north of the Charente-Maritime, in the heart of the forest of Aulnay de Saintonge. A tranquil spot, reached at the end of long, leafy country road, this site is the place to calm frazzled nerves, soothe your stresses away and take time to enjoy the finer things in life.

Things like fresh air, freedom, good food and good company. At Le Lizot, your home is surrounded by gentle, rolling countryside, and a good range of facilities (especially for a two-star site). A restored stables block is now home to a convivial restaurant and bar while, outside, you've a swimming pool and range of sports to try.

Le Lizot's location is ideal to explore on foot, horseback or by bike and, there are plenty of interesting excursions into the pleasant, traffic-free countryside all year long.

Dining

Restaurant: Traditional French restaurant with an outdoor terrace, 3 course menu and childrens menu, open all year.
Take-away meals: Open all year
Bar: Part of the restaurant, TV, open all year

Swimming pools

Outdoor pool (April – September)

Activities

Badminton
Boules
Crazy Golf
Solarium
Table Tennis
Tennis
Volleyball
Organised rambling in Aulnay Forest

Other services

Washing machine
Clothes dryer
Barbecue evenings held every two weeks.

There is a wealth of tourist and historical attractions to discover in the area, such as Cognac and La Rochelle - picture-perfect towns steeped in history, with wonderful markets and an array of tempting restaurants. La Rochelle, the regional capital, is also a shopper's paradise, and has a lively waterfront to explore. Whilst in the Cognac area the main attraction has to be the brandy distilleries. The Charente Maritime is famous for its oyster farms. La Tremblade, about half-an-hour from your park is especially good for tasting the 'pearls of the sea'. The village of Royan offers boat-trips to the oldest lighthouse in France, Phare de Cordouan, a 68 metre high bastion which has 311 steps to the top. The region's beaches are wonderfully clean, fresh and full of possibilities - with 70 to chose from, chances are you'll find a favourite.

Activities

Archery: 7km Aulnay
Basketball : 7km Aulnay
Boat Hire : 40km St Savinien - 60km on the Coast
Cinema: 7km Aulnay, 20km St Jean D’Angely
Canoeing: 20km St Jean D’Angely
Cycle hire: 7km Aulnay
Climbing wall: 20km St Jean D’Angely
Fishing : 20km Saint Jean D Angely - with permit, 30km Migre - day fishing without permit, 40km Thors - without permit
Football: 7km Aulnay
Golf course: 40km Fonconverte
Gymnasium: 20km St Jean D’Angely
Horse riding: 6km between La Villedieu and Aulnay
Karting: 20km St Jean D’Angely:
Scuba diving: 80 km

Shopping

Nearest town: 7km Aulnay De Saintonge
Nearest bank: 7km
Nearest pharmacy: 7 km
Nearest supermarket: 7 km
Nearest post office: 7 km

Towns to visit

La Rochelle 86km
Rochefort 63km
Poitiers 112km
Angoulême 65km
Cognac 46km
Saintes 45km

Attractions

Futuroscope
Futuroscope is the European theme park of the moving image. It is both fun and educational and the futuristic buildings house many attractions. Almost 25 million people have visited since 1987 and 140,000 miles of film are projected each year. There is an excellent selection of services including many restaurants, baby changing, cash machines, parking, shops etc.

La Rochelle Aquarim

A large aquarium with fish from around the world and an array of different viewing methods from tanks and torch pools to panoramic tunnels.

Luna Parc les Mathes
Themepark

La Palmyre Zoo
Largest zoological park in France.

Brandy distilleries
Visit the cognac distilleries of Martell and Hennessy. Most of the distilleries offer a tour explaining the process plus a free tasting.

Musee Maritimede La Rochelle
Historic portrayal of Marine heritage in the region.

The tourist interest of the area is vast:

- Circuit of the Romance churches
- The Poitevin marshes: Green Venice
- The old port of La Rochelle
- Rochefort with the Royal Rope manufacture and its maritime museum, and the replica of Hermione, the boat which La Fayette crossed the Atlantic Ocean on.
- The castle of the Courbon Rock
- Angouleme, rich in historical features
- Oyster beds and tasting
- Vineyards

Local events
The spectacular Tour d'ile de Re Yacht Festival is held on 7th May; the Bordeaux Fete du Vin, a celebration of the region's most famous export, runs from 1st to 4th July; Francofolies celebrates French music and song at La Rochelle between 12th and 17th July, and a weekly Summer Music Festival is held at Pauillac from 22nd July to 26th August

The nearest local market is in Aulnay on Thursdays and Sundays.

Regional airports at Nantes and La Rochelle make fly-drive an easy option. Alternatively, ferries to St Malo, Caen, Cherbourg and Roscoff are available.