Discover 5 Must-See Attractions and Activities in Our Local Area

Hi all,

We decided that we would start a blog! Just to try and give guests or potential guests ideas of things to do locally, what we enjoy and what others have enjoyed during their visits to Maison Halcyon Gite here in the Charente Maritime!

With each blog we will look in to different areas, things to do away from the gite, things to do while you are at the gite, and what we get up to to maintain and keep the gite and grounds looking as well as they do during the year!

Please do tell us if there is anything you particularly want to know about, we are aiming for a blog a month to start, maybe more if get the time.

We hope to welcome you all soon!

1. Miniature Port:

   One of the most famous attractions of St Savinien (7.5km from Maison Halcyon, a short 5 mins drive or 25 minute bike ride away) is the miniature port! Children and adults can pilot miniature electric boats on a scaled down lake and along the little canals. The boats include mini tug boats and paddle steamers, its like a little tiny port in action!

   Usually open between April to September and everyday during July and August. Just perfect for a family day out! There is also a restaurant just next to the mini boats along with other activities for children, traditional rides and large inflatables to let off a bit of steam.

   You are also able to hire boats along the river of St Savinien or maybe have some lunch or a cold drink at La Cabine.

   www.portminiature-saintsavinien.fr

2. Local Art:

   St Savinien is an artist village and part of the 'Ville et Metiers d'Art network, highlighting traditional arts and crafts. You'll find lots of workshops and exhibitions featuring local painters, sculptors and ceramicists. You will find a night market on the island in St Savinien every wednesday evening through the summer where you can see local artists along with other annual arts and crafts markets.

3. A Hidden Gem!

The little hand-built chapel. Just outside the village of Bords and just a 25 minute walk from the door of Maison Halcyon Gite. The Chapelle de Saint-Gabriel or lovingly known as the 'Petite Eglise', a local man spent years lovingly building a miniature church by hand in his garden. The local gentlemen is still adding structures to the area in which the church was built. The handmade stonework & stained glass are a sight to behold, set in a peaceful woodland surrounded by trees giving a sense of wonder that surprises many first time visitors. We will be more than happy to give you directions if you'd like to explore.

4. Les Lapidales:

   Here you will find an extraordinary open-air stone sculpture museum and artisitc landmark and guess what, its just 20 minutes from Maison Halcyon! Its located in the former Crazannes quarries and was transformed in 1997 into an immersive outdoor useum dedicated to stone sculpture and referred to as the Pole Nature de la pierre Crazannes. If you are lucky you will have the pleasure of seeing talented international sculptors create on the quarry walls or existing stone blocks, the sculptures are diverse and can be figurative to abstract.

   Since 2005 the site has expanded and if you take a short walk you can visit the site of the 'Galaxie des Pierres Levees', a sprialling installation of 365 hand carved megastones. They are grouped around 5 parent stones representing the continents. Its well worth a look!

   www.lapidiales.org

5. Rum Tasting in St Savinien:

   Les Freres de la cote: authentic Caribbean rums by sail. This is a small shop located on the river of St Savinien on the Quai du Port, this charming boutique and atelier offers rum tasting sessions featuring rum imported sustainably by traditional sailboat voyages from the Caribbean! The tasting would include a journey through artisanal rums and their origins, often paired with local chocolates crafted on site from imported cocoa. (Make sure you have a designated driver)

   Tastings must be booked in advance, you can contact them via:

   Telephone: +33 (0)6 10 61 50 41

   email: contact@lesfreresdelacote.eu

We hope you all have a lovely August and we will update you as things happen in and around the area through the summer, ooh, reminds me, the St Savinien wine festival takes place on the first weekend of August which means we are going to have to drag ourselves down there to try some wine and take some photos for you guys to take a look at!

Please keep an eye on our instagram and facebook for daily / weekly posts including photos!