La Palmyre - Marina, beaches, 14 hectare zoo home to more than 1,500 animals from all over the world, markets, shops, restaurants and a great ice cream parlour, Fiorelli's. (10 mins from Les Lavandes).

Phare de la Coubre Lighthouse (10 mins from Les Lavandes).

Foret de la Coubre - Forest walks and cycle tracks (10 mins from Les Lavandes).

Mornac sur Seudre - One of France's most beautiful villages (10 mins from Les Lavandes).

Royan - Large seaside resort, 5 beaches, many shops, restaurants, summer evening street entertainment (15 mins from Les Lavandes).

Meschers - Seaside resort and exceptional troglodyte caves depicting life from prehistoric times to the present day. (25 mins from Les Lavandes).

Talmont sur Gironde - Another of France's most beautiful villages with a12th century church, narrow streets lined with hollyhocks overlooking the Gironde Estuary.  Beneath the village is a small fishing harbour. (25  mins from Les Lavandes)

Mortagne-sur-Gironde - Picturesque village on the banks of the estuary, harbour ideal for angling.  Worth seeing nearby is St Martial's Hermitage and its chapel built into the rock.

Ile d’Oleron - reached by toll-free viaduct, can be explored in a day (20 mins from Les Lavandes).

Rochefort - naval base built in 17th Century with maritime museums and rope making factory (30 mins from Les Lavandes).

La Rochelle - medieval sea port and fortress, aquarium, museums, shops and market (1 hour from Les Lavandes).

Cognac - famous for it’s great cognac houses situated by the river in the Old Town - tours available in English (1 hour from Les Lavandes).

Saintes - Roman remains, historic buildings, thermal baths, churches, museums and amphitheatre (50 mins from Les Lavandes).

Jonzac - Spa town 15th Century castle and battlements, archaeological museum (90 mins from Les Lavandes).

There are plently of leaflets, brochures and information including a guide book in English at the Gîtes to help you plan your holiday.