Sports and leisure activities New Aquitaine

You'll enjoy a lush green setting and a host of facilities, including picnic tables, playgrounds and signposted footpaths. Swimming is supervised all summer long, and you can take advantage of the activities (beach handball, etc.) and go boating: paddles, canoes and pedal boats are available for hire. You can pitch your tent at Flower Camping Côté Lac (3 stars). The Côté Plage bar-snack-restaurant welcomes you all year round.

How about discovering the Marais, lulled by the footsteps of horses? Managed by the Equi'Sèvres association, La Maison du Cheval specializes in carriage driving and offers 1-hour carriage rides guided by a gamekeeper who will answer all your questions. In addition to all the annual activities of an equestrian center (lessons, competitions), La Maison du Cheval offers 1-hour horse or pony rides for all levels, all year round. It's also possible to enjoy 2 hours of introductory or advanced riding lessons in the riding school.

Nature lovers, the "Guigno" is made for you. Where the Gartempe river meanders and beautiful limestone walls rise, you can enjoy climbing, mountain biking, fishing, but also take a walk with your family. The first routes were opened in the 1960s. With its 35 meters height and its 141 equipped routes, there is something for everyone: experienced climbers (up to 8b) to beginners. The sun shines on the cliffs in the morning, but they are in the shade in the afternoon.

A passionate rider, Elizabeth Naffrechoux is keen to share her love of horses with everyone, especially families. She offers rides for children aged 18 months and over, and for adults, beginners and advanced alike. During the summer, many activities are available: pony days, family rides in the countryside or woods, sunset rides, family Sundays (equi-fun course, orienteering race), riding lessons... We're sure you'll love it!

It's a world of its own that you'll discover here, starting almost crawling and continuing upright. In this subterranean world, as you wander through the galleries and majestic chambers, you'll discover its incredible river, its history and a few pitfalls, depending on your level. You'll need to be accompanied by a local caving club if you're not an FFS member: the route varies in length (from 1 km) and, for the more adventurous, includes a 30 m abseil in total darkness. Looking for thrills and adventure? Go for it!

A lake dedicated to fishing created by the local association in the 1990s. It is now located near the aquatic centre of Lezay and the campsite. Equipped with a refreshment bar. Tickets (from half a day to the whole season) can be bought on the spot or at the DIY store on the Place du Champ-de-Foire. There are many fishing spots in the canton. Notice to river lovers: also go to La Dive. To find out more about fishing in Deux-Sèvres, visit the website of the departmental federation www.peche-en-deux-sevres.com

Ménigoute, nestled in a well-preserved natural setting, has two outdoor itineraries: you can download the routes on the town's website, under the headings Discover/Tourist Heritage). The 25.2 km mountain bike loop takes you through Fomperron and its fountains, Bois-Pouvreau and the centre of Ménigoute. The 4.5 km long walk (about 2 hours, marked in blue) will make you appreciate the calm, the scenery, the fauna and flora of Gâtine.

The ponds of Saint-Martin are perfect for a bucolic break. For a stroll, you can go around and at the same time take advantage of the playful course "The little world of Isis and Hétaïre, Poitou stallions". Moreover, two stallions, Venus and Olivia, will be delighted if you offer them some caresses (but especially not food). With tables or in the shade of the trees, the site is ideal for a picnic. From March to September, the pond is also popular with fishermen (several trout releases from March to May).

Wade or pretend you're an Olympic champion in this beautiful pool. Take advantage of the indoor facilities: a counter-current river, water jets and even a waterfall. And, for those who are not so cold, swim from April to October in the Nordic pool outside, but in water that is always 27°C! The aquatic center will also seduce you with its fitness room, sauna and hammam. It also offers aquabike and aquagym classes... as well as a time slot for baby swimmers. A real pleasure for children and adults alike!

A very nice walk with the rhythm of the horses and the local heritage, 18th century dovecotes, dwellings, family cemeteries. Starting from the Roman bridge at the confluence of the Chambon and Ligueure rivers, you will pass through the typical villages of Puy Belin or Chamiers, Paunay, Saivres, where you will see the castles of Isabeau de Verrières (her recumbent statue is in the church) and Herbaudière (privately owned), and Augé and its Renaissance houses. You will also pass by the arboretum of Azay-le-Brûlé.

At bridge level, it's not unusual to spot a few canoes below on the Anglin. Since 2010, Canoécolo has been supplying boats, vests, paddles and watertight canisters to get you out on the water. Discover this little corner of paradise and enjoy its enchanting valley. Stroll at your own pace, swim... what a pleasure! The trick is to get back to the starting point, but the river is calm and navigable in both directions. The small company also offers its services in La Roche-Posay, where you can discover the confluence of the Gartempe and Creuse rivers.

Since the 15th century, a terrifying monster has been living inside the royal abbey. Don't be fooled by its repulsive appearance, because behind this ferocity lies a prince charming: help it regain its human form. "The Beast seeks his Beauty" is the Tèrra Aventura geocaching trail in Celles-sur-Belle. A series of riddles will lead you to the famous cache and its mystery word: to play with your family, download the smartphone application!

You'll have a blast on the 1,280 m FFSA-approved track, accessible from age 7 and for all driving levels. Training courses, races, sport sensation packages, there's something for everyone. The Val d'Argenton circuit, originally dedicated to racing, has seen some of the greatest champions of our time, such as Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen. It continues to host countless professional races (program on the website). Kart sales and maintenance on site.

You can stroll along the 4 wash houses of Saint-Georges-de-Rex, starting with the one of the Panification (behind the church of Saint-Georges, in the eponymous street), with its polygonal open-air basin. Its washerwomen's sidewalk is topped by a traditional market garden roof (poplar rafters, reed roof and canal tiles). The Reverend, Grande-Fontaine and Richebert laundries follow. Rectangular in shape and fed by a stream, it is accompanied by a small hold, built to allow cattle to drink.

This 1.5 km hiking trail leads through the heart of nature to the sacred mound dedicated to Jupiter. Celts, Romans, a basilisk - this mysterious site is full of legends. Discovery panels mark out this walk. This bucolic stroll reveals the richness of the local flora and fauna. Along the way, take note of the fountain and its wash-house, the stream, the old truffle-farm, the enigmatic sandstones, the panoramic terraces...

The ASL QUORUM sports center is the ideal place for racket sports enthusiasts in Condat-sur-Vienne. With 5 indoor courts, 2 squash courts and an outdoor tennis court, you can indulge your passion in excellent facilities. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, you can borrow rackets and balls on site. The more adventurous will appreciate the bicross track. Horse lovers will be delighted by the nearby equestrian center. All under eco-friendly LED lighting for an environmentally-friendly sporting experience.

You walk through the land of the Clochard apple. You will discover the town of Champdeniers, cross the Egray valley, a tributary of the Sèvre, then enter the Arpentérault wood (private, in La Chapelle-Bâton). You stop at Verruyes (laze on the pretty beach of its pond) to finish at the golf course of Mazières. Other routes are available on www.champdeniers.fr. It will also be possible to reach Parthenay via the GR 36, or the section of the Vélofrancette.

As a certified equestrian tourism center, riding school, competition stable and training center, the facility is fully equipped and well-equipped. To discover the region, the center is close to 200 km of marked trails. Half-day and full-day walks and hikes are available. Private lessons and pony and horse discovery packages are available to all. Now's your chance to test your plate!

La Palue is a small river that you can canoe down with the Castets club (affiliated to the French Canoeing Federation). Summer is the ideal period for leisurely descents. Starting from the base (from 10am to 4.30pm), 8 kilometres of discovery and relaxation in the heart of the Landes forest are offered to you. Good news, swimming is allowed. The canoe can accommodate up to 3 people (2 adults and 1 child). The best thing is still to book!

It was designed by one of the greatest golf players: Jean Garaialde. With its 300 hectares of slightly undulating terrain, the La Roche-Posay golf course offers a soothing setting and is part of an eco-responsible approach. All levels are allowed, whether you are a good golfer or a beginner. Initiations and courses are available. Will you play a 9 or an 18-hole course? Know that at the^3rd, you will enter the woods. Beautiful sports walks in perspective! After the effort, you can take a break at the club house which offers a quality snack.

The center provides a pony so that you can go for an hour's ride in autonomy. It can also be done with an instructor to survey the paths of Dercé and this, from the youngest age. Horseback riding for the day is also available. Private lessons are available. To combine leisure and fun, animations, treasure hunts on horseback, challenges with riddles to solve are organized. The center welcomes internships throughout the year, nights under the tent, as well as camps for the summer vacations.

The commune of Bressuire is equipped with 3 greenways, accessible to all. The^1st Parthenay-Bressuire route, 30 km long, has been laid out on the old railway line: Bois du Theil, Fénery station, granite chaos, Château de la Chenullière and the Chanteloup viaduct enhance the ride. The^2nd takes you past Chapelle-Saint-Laurent. Finally, the 23 km Bressuire-Moutiers-sous-Chantemerle route now extends into the Vendée (+5 km). It links up with other cycle paths, the Argenton Valley cycle route and the Vélo Francette.

Located in the center of the village, in the arms of the river Clain, the Pont Creusé lake and leisure area offers a refreshing break. The 6-hectare site, part of which is shaded, is ideal for resting, fishing, walking, playing pétanque, ping-pong, volleyball... Children's games and a few teepees provide fun for young and old alike. It's also an ideal place to start a hike. A picnic area and Le Martin Pêcheur restaurant (with its terrace overlooking the water) overlook the reservoir.

Water sports aren't just for the sea! On Lac de Moncontour, you'll discover the pleasures of gliding, towed by a cable using an environmentally-friendly electric-powered system. Kneeling first on a kneeboard to get your bearings, you'll then take off standing on a wakeboard to cover the 535 m at 30 km/h. For the more experienced (and adventurous), take to the ramps to perform tricks. Crazy sensations for all levels.

Come aboard and cruise the Vienne. For an hour, a half-day or a full day, accompanied or unaccompanied, take the time to let yourself be carried by the river and admire the surrounding landscapes. Several boat sizes are available, transport is provided, and all you have to do is paddle along and discover the treasures of nature. Several routes are available: discover Chauvigny, pass in front of the pretty château de Toufou or go as far as the Henri IV bridge in Châtellerault. Stand-up paddle rentals are also available.

The lake is surrounded by the Dive river and the Fontou stream, with its pretty spring. The estate extends over 22 hectares, including an 8-hectare pond, and hosts a wide range of outdoor activities. The site is freely accessible all year round, so you can picnic, fish (with a river fishing card), work out on the outdoor fitness trail, solve Tèrra Aventura's "L'Odyssée de la Grand'Goule" riddle, enjoy the playground or simply relax by the water and appreciate the calm and beauty of this place.

The loop takes you to L'Absie's points of interest: Notre-Dame abbey church, Bois des Gâts and the Seguin chapel, destroyed during the Revolution and rebuilt in 1874. One of its stained glass windows alludes to the Vendée wars, a theme rarely evoked in Deux-Sèvres. From here, a quick detour takes you to the Chirons garden and the Branlant rock, a magnificent granite chaos (1.5 km round trip). You finish with the Abiès garden (PRM accessible), with its 70 species of resinous trees.

On her magnificent ^16th-century property, Sophie offers accompanied horseback rides in the surrounding countryside. Several options are available, from one hour to a full day (remember to bring your own picnic). Children under the age of 7 will be able to discover pony-trekking. The big plus: a farm campsite with sanitary facilities and a small kitchen is available on site. There's also a 12-bed gîte in the outbuildings.

The large pool of this open-air pool has a T-shape and stretches for 25 meters. It has a large slide and water jets. A paddling pool for the little ones completes the installation. Numerous activities are offered throughout the summer with parties, swimming lessons, aquagym... A large grassy area allows you to rest and dry out quietly in the sun. There are also many games: trampoline, volleyball court, mini-football, badminton, ping-pong, swing, games for children... A real pleasure for everyone!

When the fine weather returns, the Crémault leisure park is a pleasant place to picnic and relax with friends and family. On the banks of the Vienne, a beach has been laid out, with two supervised swimming areas in summer and a pontoon. While the park is ideal for water-based activities such as canoeing and kayaking, other options include fishing, beach volleyball, pétanque, mini-golf, tennis and soccer. There's something for everyone!

While bicycles have long been a popular choice for touring enthusiasts, Green Trott now offers an original way to get around: the all-terrain electric scooter. It's the perfect way to get around Oleron quietly! Green Trott's discovery tours promise some great rides. Equipped with a GPS, you'll make your way along the trails, silently admiring the scenery! You'll enjoy a warm welcome and sound advice on how to make the most of your walk. You can also rent electric bikes and fat bikes.

The Rouffiac leisure park in Lanouaille offers a multitude of activities and events all year round. Visitors can take advantage of a walking trail along the lake to discover this area dedicated to outdoor leisure activities. Activities on offer include water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing and paddling, as well as land-based activities such as hiking and fishing. For thrill-seekers, there's a tree climbing course and a bike park.

On the banks of the Dordogne, a Unesco World Heritage river, Pelouse Plage is a recently opened bathing area accessible to all, including people with reduced mobility. There's also a sandbank for children to build their own constructions. The site is well equipped for families with baby carriages. Swimming is supervised in season, and there are floating inflatables to keep both young and old amused. Feeling a little thirsty? Don't hesitate to visit the bar at Les Batailleurs campsite.

Green Needles Golf in Cassy/Lanton is accessible to all. In the middle of the pine trees and on flat ground, this 9 holes really want to start golf if you are novice, to improve or simply to be fun. Individual or two-course courses in July and August, you will find the formula that suits you, in a friendly atmosphere and in a place that remains magical: the Arcachon basin.

Discover the Arcachon basin in a different way, it's possible! Moreover, if you like strong sensations, you will be served. Dolphin Jet School offers you jet ski rental without a license from 16 years old, jet ski tours with a certified instructor, but also Sea Doo scooters of the latest generation equipped with silent 4-stroke engines and certified Very Low Emission, buoys, wake-boards or boats with a compulsory coastal license. On the program: discovery of the basin, tour of the Ile aux Oiseaux... They organize your group outings.

Created in 2001, the Chauvigny Valdivienne Canoe Kayak Club offers initiation, improvement, competitions and leisure outings. Come and discover the Vienne river according to different formulas proposed (from 2 hours to one day) from Saint-Martin-la-Rivière, Cubord or the Civaux-Chauvigny circuit. In high season, take advantage of the courses to discover canoeing, kayaking and paddling but also of some night descents. Unforgettable moments in an enchanting setting!

Recently opened just 10 minutes from Dax, on the D824 in the direction of Mont-de-Marsan, Adour Aventure is a leisure park featuring a rope park for adults and children aged 3 and over (1 metre arms raised), and 3 all-terrain electric scooter trails (for ages 12 and over). In short, a great playground to organize a birthday party or EVG/EVFJ. There's also a small catering area on site. What's more, a children's treasure hunt is organized every school vacation. Semi-nightly evenings in summer.

The reconstructed Piémont Pyrénéen route (GR-78) started from Carcassonne and reached Lourdes, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (last stop before the border) before crossing the mountains to arrive at Roncesvalles. It links the Mediterranean with the Atlantic, and offers a rich heritage. This hike, often on hilltops, offers splendid panoramic views of the Pyrenees chain as it crosses the département. With a total distance of 594 km, the maximum altitude is 1,179 m, with a cumulative difference in altitude of 13,717 m.

Come aboard and cruise the Gartempe. For an hour, a half-day or a full day, take the time to let yourself be carried by the river and admire the surrounding scenery. You'll pass by Saint-Savin Abbey, a superb vantage point! You'll also see the Château de la Roche. Several sizes of boat are available, and transportation is provided, so all you have to do is paddle along and discover nature's treasures. Several routes are available. Stand-up paddles can also be hired.

In the heart of the Basque Country, close to the villages of Bidache and Sames, you'll discover a well-equipped water sports base that has nothing to envy the infrastructures of the coast. On a 24-hectare site, including a 14-hectare lake, the base has a beach reserved for supervised swimming in season, sheltered picnic tables, chalets for hire, an 894 m² inflatable course (35 modules), slides, paddle rentals, a waterski lift... Year-round catering and picnic tables for families in search of peace and quiet.

Skateboarding has its own academy in the Basque Country, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz to be precise. All year round, in secure areas supervised by qualified skateboarders, free courses and introductory courses are available for individuals and groups. There's no age limit for skateboarding, so whether you're a child or an adult, feel free to take to the bowls at your leisure. The Skatepark also organizes birthday parties with challenges and gifts. And exhibitions, video screenings and meetings with professional skateboarders. The ideal fun and sporting activity during your stay.

It's original! Casteljaloux is home to a padel tennis court, a racket sport derived from tennis and similar to squash, which is played on a smaller 10x20m court, with a net delimiting both sides of the court and fencing or glass walls all around. A group of 4 friends and associates, most of them former tennis players, were behind the creation of this cutting-edge sports court in the hangar of a former sawmill on the banks of the Avance river. Three padel courts are now available for this accessible and friendly sport.

With its rich wine-growing and architectural heritage, the commune of Pauillac has linked its various châteaux with an 8 to 14 km hiking trail. The walk is suitable for both pedestrians and cyclists. Departing from the Maison du Tourisme et du Vin, this loop runs along the Gironde estuary, before branching off towards the village of Bages. Then on to Artigues, Le Pouyalet and Anseillan, towards the Trompeloup area, before returning to the starting point.

Price: free.

Duration: 1 hour or more.

Difficulty: easy.

Pierre-Marc is a luthier based in the Saint-Esprit district. Talented self-taught and passionate about hand-crafted acoustic and electro-acoustic nylon-string guitars, as opposed to mass-produced instruments, he also offers repair, restoration, tuning and maintenance services. And coming soon: guitar-making workshops on Saturday mornings. Recognized by amateurs and professionals alike, he is now consulted by guitarists from all walks of life.