Chef Boutonne is situated in the south of the Deux Sevres Region, and the beautiful village of Verteuil-sur-Charente is only 25 minutes away with its stunning Chateau on the Charente river. Ruffec is a delightful market town offering cafe’s, bars and restaurants and is where the brave ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ found refuge at the end of their epic mission during world war two.
Every day of the week one can find a market nearby offering traditional French produce, wine and souvenirs, and at the many brocantes you will find endless antiques and second hand goods to tempt you. A visit to one of these is a must! The region is also buzzing with live music for all tastes; the famous Nuits Romanes features a rich varied programme of musical and cultural events at historic sites quite unlike anything experienced before. There are also many book and craft fairs to visit. Here are just a few of the places within easy distance you may like to visit…
Visit world famous Cognac, an hour and 10 minutes away, where all the famous cognac houses are situated, offering very reasonably priced tours and tastings.
The stunning costal resort of La Rochelle is an hour and half from the studio in the Charente Maritime region.
Poitiers is 45 minutes away from the studio and is rich in historical buildings and sites. Home to the ravishing Diane de Poitiers, mistress of the French King Henry the second, and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of the Plantagenet King Henry the second in England made famous the ‘Courts of Love’ and the troubadours. Poitiers is also home the fantastic modern site, Futurescope.
See the grand keep at Niort, 50 minutes away from Boutonne Rouge Studio, and sample the pleasures of town life in this exciting city.
20 minutes away is the charming small town of Melle, where one can see the stunning church of Saint Hilaire among many others. Lusignan (45 minutes away) can be found in the mystical region of Melusine, the half mermaid/fairy who married into the family of the Counts of Lusignan and is featured in the historical novels of Phillipa Gregory, ‘The White Queen’ and ‘The Lady of the Rivers’.
Angouleme is an ancient walled city 55 minutes away with many delights to offer, including the magnificent Cathedral, one of the most distinguished buildings in Western France. It offers great night life, while an hour and a half away is the exceptionally pretty Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of the gateways to the Dordogne; there is an amazing subterranean church there that should not be missed.