Things To Do
Mad Hatters is surrounded by quiet countryside but is also well placed for exploring some of the best-known attractions in western France. From historic towns and animal parks to Atlantic beaches, boat trips and major theme parks, there is plenty to visit within a comfortable day trip. All driving times are approximate and may vary according to traffic and the route taken.
Around 25 minutes away, the attractive market town of Melle is known for its Romanesque churches, traditional streets and the Silver Mines of the Frankish Kings. Visitors can take a guided underground tour through approximately 350 metres of tunnels that were worked between the seventh and tenth centuries to provide silver for coin production during the time of Charlemagne.
Approximately 30 to 40 minutes away, the area around Romagne provides two excellent family attractions. La Vallée des Singes, or the Valley of the Monkeys, is a large animal park where hundreds of primates live in spacious, natural surroundings, many without traditional cages or barriers. Visitors can see gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and many smaller species while walking through the park and watching the scheduled feeding sessions.
Nearby is Le Cormenier, the place many local visitors know as “the scarecrow attraction”. Paillou, the scarecrow storyteller, guides visitors through the life of a rural French family and more than 70 years of countryside history. The immersive displays recreate school, farm work, family celebrations, the arrival of tractors and the gradual mechanisation of rural life. It is an unusual and entertaining way for both adults and children to discover how people lived and worked in the region during the last century.
The historic city of Poitiers is around an hour away. Its old centre is ideal for walking, with narrow streets, squares, cafés, historic buildings and Romanesque architecture. Just beyond Poitiers is Futuroscope Xperiences, one of France’s best-known theme parks. The park combines rides, giant-screen experiences, immersive shows, robots and futuristic technology, with more than 40 attractions and shows. The resort also includes Aquascope, its indoor and outdoor water park with pools, slides and immersive effects.
Around 45 minutes to one hour away, guests can visit Niort and the Marais Poitevin, often called the Green Venice of France. The marshes can be explored in a traditional flat-bottomed boat, either independently or with a knowledgeable boatman-guide. The waterways, shaded canals and waterside villages make this one of the most peaceful and distinctive landscapes in the region. The village of Coulon is a popular starting point for boat trips, cycling and exploring the marshes.
Nature lovers can also visit Zoodyssée, set within the forest of Chizé. The park covers around 30 hectares and is home to hundreds of animals, including wolves, bears, lynxes, bison, otters, vultures and other European wildlife. Its spacious woodland setting makes it a particularly pleasant family day out.
Nature lovers can also visit Zoodyssée, set within the forest of Chizé. The park covers around 30 hectares and is home to hundreds of animals, including wolves, bears, lynxes, bison, otters, vultures and other European wildlife. Its spacious woodland setting makes it a particularly pleasant family day out.
A little farther east is the medieval town of Chauvigny, where the upper town contains narrow streets, churches and the remains of several fortified castles. The Giants of the Sky show takes place within the Château des Évêques, with eagles, falcons, owls, storks, parrots and other birds flying above the castle and audience.
Around an hour to an hour and 15 minutes away, Angoulême is famous as France’s capital of comic-strip art. Visitors can follow a trail of large painted comic murals around the city, explore the old streets and ramparts and visit the Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée and its comic-strip museum. The city combines historic architecture with street art, museums, restaurants and views across the Charente countryside.
Another family attraction in this direction is Terre de Dragons at Civaux, formerly known as Planète Crocodiles. It combines a tropical environment, immersive rooms and hundreds of reptiles and other animals. One of its more unusual features is an elevated adventure net above the crocodile area.
Approximately an hour and 15 minutes away, the town of Cognac offers visits to famous cognac houses, cellars and distilleries. Guests can learn about distillation, barrel ageing and the region’s celebrated spirit, with tours available from houses such as Hennessy, Martell and Rémy Martin. Cognac also has an attractive old town, riverside quays, boat trips and cafés overlooking the Charente. Distillery tours and tastings should normally be reserved in advance.
The impressive Château de La Rochefoucauld, sometimes described as the Pearl of the Angoumois, is also within comfortable day-trip distance. The château remains associated with the La Rochefoucauld family and contains historic rooms, libraries, furniture, paintings and archives, all set beside the River Tardoire.
The Atlantic coast is close enough for a full day out. La Rochelle, approximately an hour and 30 minutes away, is centred around its historic Old Port, waterfront restaurants, medieval towers, shopping streets and harbour. The city’s aquarium, directly opposite the Old Port, contains around 12,000 marine animals representing hundreds of species and is one of the largest privately operated aquariums in Europe.
From La Rochelle, visitors can also cross the bridge to the Île de Ré, known for its beaches, cycling routes, salt marshes, harbours and whitewashed villages. It makes an excellent longer day trip, particularly for guests wishing to combine the coast with a meal or evening walk around La Rochelle.
Rochefort, Fouras and the Charente estuary are also around an hour and a half to two hours away. Rochefort is known for its naval history, the Corderie Royale and its setting beside the River Charente. Cruises travel down the river, past the Transporter Bridge and defensive fortifications, before heading towards the islands and the Atlantic.
The longest major day trip is Puy du Fou, approximately one hour and 50 minutes away. Unlike a conventional theme park, Puy du Fou is centred on spectacular live historical productions, elaborate period villages, immersive experiences and large-scale evening shows. A full day is recommended, and tickets should be booked ahead, particularly when one of the major night-time performances is scheduled.
Boat trips around the famous Fort Boyard depart seasonally from La Rochelle, Fouras and Rochefort. Excursions from La Rochelle’s Old Port usually sail through the waters between the islands of Ré, Aix and Oléron before approaching Fort Boyard. Some cruises simply circle the fort, while others combine the journey with a stop on the car-free Île d’Aix. Sailing times and departure points vary, so advance booking is strongly recommended during the summer.
Whether guests prefer wildlife, history, theme parks, peaceful boat trips, Atlantic beaches, castles or traditional French towns, Mad Hatters provides a quiet countryside base from which to explore a remarkably varied part of France. After a day out, guests can return to the walled garden and relax with food and drinks at Mad Hatters Kitchen and Hatters Bar.des4e
