France at its most beautiful
The Poitou Charentes is located between the popular holiday destinations of the Dordogne Bretagne and Val de Loire. There is beautiful countryside in abundance such as the immense marshland Le Marais Poitevin, the magnificent nature reserve La Venise Verte, and the expansive woodland. The beaches of La Rochelle and Île de Ré are a good hour’s drive away. Close to Domaines Les Forges are the large cognac houses, as well as the vineyards of Bordeaux. Also nearby are the historical cities of Niort, Partenay, Poitiers, Loudun, Châtellerault and the old fortified city of Angoulême.
The warm Gulf Stream in this region ensures a sea climate with pleasant temperatures and many hours of sun (an average of more than 2250, sometimes even 2500 hours per year!). That’s why the coasts of the Vendée and the Charente-Maritime are second only to the Côte d’Azur in attracting the most tourists. Thanks to the sea climate it is, however, never as sultry as further inland. Spring comes early here; July is the sunniest month, August the warmest. What’s more, autumn remains warm due to the warm sea water. At Domaines Les Forges it is therefore particularly pleasant from April to November.
The Domaines Les Forges can be reached from the Netherlands in a variety of ways. From Utrecht it is some 800 km by motorway. Other good travel alternatives are the high-speed train Thalys to Poitiers and (budget) flights to for example Bordeaux.