Manoir du Village is a 19th century Maison de Maître located on the edge of a rural French village in the Deux-Sèvres department of south-western France, close to the Vienne border, almost equidistant between Saumur (50km) and Poitiers (55km).
There is a lively open-air French tapas bar on the edge of the village which is usually open May to end-September. The next village along (around 4km by car) is home to a restaurant (open lunchtimes) and there is a bakery within a short drive. Crossing over to the Vienne department, the village of Moncontour (7km) has a grocery store, restaurants, pharmacy and a small handful of other amenities as well as the impressive Donjon de Moncontour. There is a lake near the village with summer water-based activities such as kayaking, water-skiing and supervised swimming alongside a pleasant lakeside restaurant.
There is a larger supermarket and a small handful of good restaurants in Airvault (8km), an attractive historic town in the Thouet Valley. Visit the Romanesque Eglise Saint Pierre d'Airvault, embrace the ambience of the Saturday morning market and explore the town’s charming medieval centre. Just outside Airvault, take time to discover the beauty of Domaine de Soulièvres, a vast riverside estate perfect for woodland walks and cycle rides with picnic tables and play areas for children.
Admire the half-timbered houses in the pretty village of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet (13km) as well as the incredible 11th century riverside château. Look out for the Sunday morning market and try the delicious goats cheese produced in this region. The GR36 hiking trail passes through the village and beyond. Indeed, there are many glorious walks through the bucolic landscapes of the Thouet Valley.
Watersport lovers can also enjoy kayaking excursions along the river around a 20-minute drive away near Thouars (18km). The town is famous for its 17th century castle and its enchanting medieval centre also features many noteworthy historic houses dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The town is classified as a Ville d'art et d'histoire and hosts a market on a Tuesday and Friday morning.
Heading north-east of Thouars, the exquisite riverside town of Chinon (50km) is a wonderful place to spend time with its rich heritage, characterful wine bars and kayaking/canoeing opportunities along the Vienne River. The world-famous Fontevraud-l'Abbaye (45km) is less than an hour away, as are the troglodyte dwellings of Rochemenier (55km).
You will soon reach the Loire River where you can sample the white sparkling wines of beautiful Saumur (50km) or potter around the riverside village of Candes-Saint-Martin (51km), one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Of course the Loire and its surrounding landscapes are a paradise for keen cyclists. Meanwhile, some of the Loire valley’s iconic castles include Château d'Azay-le-Rideau (72km), Château de Villandry (83km) and Château Royal d'Amboise (128km).
The Region
Aquitaine’s reputation as a varied and enchanting destination is well-earned – whether you’re looking for relaxation or excitement, this beautiful part of south-western France is a feast for every one of the senses.
