Smitchells Gregoire

Information Pack
Welcome to Papillon at Smitchells Gregoire.
We are situated in the Charente Maritime
department of France, which is now part of Nouvelle
Aquitaine region.
There is a myriad of things to do and entertain you in this
area.
This information pack is meant to give a sample of what is
available but we are still finding new and exciting things to
discover and great places to eat so if you find a little gem
please let us know so we can share your discovery with our
future guests.
One of the great benefits of choosing to holiday in this
area is the great weather. We think this is ideal weather
for exploring or sitting and soaking up the rays, the choice
is yours.
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 Beaches
We have some beautiful local beaches that run all along the coast from north to south.

To the North we would personally recommend Meschers, St Georges & Royan.

Meschers are smaller cove type beaches, 5 in total. Some of them have restaurants on site or
there is a small town close by for eating options.
St Georges is the quieter end of miles and miles of coast. It has a great broad area of sand and is
great for kids with shallow waters.
Royan is the busier end and where you can watch the spectacular kite surfers and have the
advantage of all the shops, marina and eateries backing onto the beachfront.
It is an option to park up on one end and walk to the other, with plenty of sea facing parking (but
busy on hot days obviously!).

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 To the south, well worth a visit is Le Pilat, the tallest
sand dune in Europe, situated alongside forest, take a
picnic and enjoy the views from the top.
Dune du Pilat (http://www.gironde-
tourisme.fr/decouvrir/incontournables/dune-du-pilat/)

More locally we have manmade beaches in Montendre. This sits in a park setting alongside a swimming pool (small entry fee
payable), a play area and water sports (canoes, paddle boards etc.). During the peak summer months there is the added security of
a lifeguard on this beach.
.. and in Jonzac which is situated behind Les Antilles and also has water sports, tree top activity trails and other activities
(some of which require a small entry fee). There is also a large restaurant on site.
These are both perfect for days out when you dont want to be in car for too long and have enough to entertain you all day.

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 Towns
Jonzac
A spa town with a chateau at the top of the town. Plenty of
restaurants, market 3 days a week.
Les Antilles waterpark on the edge of town coupled with a
manmade beach and childrens activities.

Mirambeau
Small town centre but with stunning chateau at top of town
that operates as a hotel, spa and restaurant. May need to
reserve a table if you want dinner.

Pons
Very pretty town centre and gardens, great views and some
nice restaurants at the top of town for a coffee or some lunch.

Bordeaux
Beautiful city with plenty to see and do, or just simply walk along the river, stop for lunch and a glass of your
favourite colour and wander back. Easily accessible via train from Montendre, or park and ride via tram into the city
centre. New attraction La Cite du Vin is worth a visit just to see the architecture. There is also a stadium just this
side of the city if you want to take in a sporting or music event.

Saintes
Lovely town with main high street housing lots of independent and department stores. But dont miss out on the
back streets or lower areas of town. The city also has a famous Music school, which has a calendar of events
throughout the year. An extensive market occurs on the first Monday of the month.

Royan
Is a seaside town, with all that you would expect form that: marina, seafood restaurants, ice creams and miles and
miles of sand. They also host Les Violons sur Sable, a night at the proms with an electric mix of music, grab your
picnic rug, some beers, some nibbles and enjoy the ambiance and the fireworks.

La Rochelle
Busy, bustling town centered around the historic port. A multitude of restaurants and cafes. Quirky, independent
shops and host to the Red Bull diving competition.

Ile dOleron
An interesting spit that thrives on its oyster production and tourism. Look out in the right direction and you will see
Fort Boyard.

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 Restaurants
Montendre
La Quincillerie*
Le Bistrot Gourmand
Le Mac'grhbin
Crperie Triskel
Le Cha'bernet (Wine Bar with small tapas menu)
Atout Pizz (Takeaway only)

Jonzac
Le Coq dOr*
Le Comptoir du Marche
Auberge du Moulin And if you are out for the day
Hotel de lEcu
Le 108
Royan
La Gargate
Le Pinochio*
Peppinos Pizza
McDonalds
La Rochelle
La Saveur Vivre
Mirambeau Christopher Coutaneau
Chateau de Mirambeau (1 Michelin Star) Les Petit Quais
Le Chevel Gris* LAmaranthe
LUnion Le Comptoir de Walter
Aux Tours de la Perot
Marcillac Ty Breiz
Au Four at au Moulin*

Reignac Le Vitrezay (Saint-Sorlin-de-Conac)

La Savoureux Le Jour du Poisson (St Denis dOleron)
Chateau de Reignac LEcailler (La Flotte)
Le Scorlion (St Jean DAngely)
Chepniers
La Diligence Le Marydiane (Rochefort)
Cabanajam (St Martin de Re)
Blaye
Les Embruns (St Martin de Re)
Le Gavroche
Chateau Marquis de Vauban
La Citadelle
La Galerie

*We have eaten at these restaurants and would happily recommend them, but please
accept that we cannot guarantee them.
Also, a number of the restaurants close on a Monday even in high season. Please check
opening hours and consider booking a table to ensure availability.

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 Local Attractions
Blaye Citadel
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadelle_de_Blaye

St. Emilion
http://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk/Discover-
Bordeaux/Bordeaux-and-surroundings/Our-
surroundings/The-Saint-Emilion-s-village-a-World-
Heritage-Site

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 Activities

Fishing
We have two fishing lakes, both of which are less than a 5-minute
walk away. Both are well stocked with a variety of fish.

Golf
We have a local 9-hole course situated in Montendre, there are
excellent club courses at Bordeaux, Cognac, Saintes & Royan. Book
online for you preferred tee time.

Water Sports
Montendre Lac has canoes, kayaks and paddleboards for hire, as
does Jonzac Lac. Sailing is available at many places along the
Gironde estuary and Royan has a fantastic beach for kite and wind
surfing.

Karting
There are Karting tracks at Saint-Genis-de-Saintonge and Royan.

Maze
There are two mazes being constructed next to the Montendre Lac.
They are due to be open in 2018.

Nature Reserves
Pole-Nature de Vitrezay is an extensive nature reserve on the Gironde
river. There are many walking and cycling paths through the reserve
and a good restaurant if you want to watch the sun set over the
water. Or there is the Maison de Foret 10 mins down the road from
Montendre.

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 Some 2017 Events
Date Event Details
15th 17th April FESTIVAL DU CERF- http://www.chatelaillonplage.fr/Les-
VOLANT ET DU VENT actualites/Une-23e-edition-du-festival-de-
(Royan) cerf-volant-dans-le-vent

8th May SIMPLE MINDS & GUEST KT http://www.bordeaux-

TUNSTALL tourism.co.uk/offre/fiche/simple-minds-
et-special-guest-kt-tunstall-patinoire-de-
bordeaux/FMAAQU033V5049II
26th May 4th June BORDEAUX FETE DE http://www.bordeaux-fete-le-fleuve.com
FLEUVE
9th 14th June STRING QUARTET http://quatuorabordeaux.com
FESTIVAL
14th 17th June BORDEAUX WINE FESTIVAL http://www.bordeaux-wine-festival.com

23rd 24th June FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL http://www.freemusic-festival.com

(Montendre)

30th June 9th July FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL http://www.en-charente-

DU FILM DE LA ROCHELLE maritime.com/agenda/grands-
evenements/festival-international-du-
film

7th 16th July BMX EUROPEAN http://bmx-race-2017.com

CHAMPIONSHIPS
12th 16th July LES FRANCOFOLIES LA http://www.en-charente-
ROCHELLE maritime.com/agenda/grands-
evenements/les-francofolies-la-rochelle-
0

22,25,28 &30 July VIOLONS SUR LA SABLE http://www.violonsurlesable.com

2nd -6th August 20eme COUPE DEUROPE http://www.mainfonds.com/20eme-

DE MONTGOLFIERES coupe-deurope-de-montgolfieres/

4th 6th August REGGAE, SUN & SKA http://www.reggaesunska.com/en

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 Cycle Hire

You can hire bikes from

Bike Hire Direct [English site]
http://www.bikehiredirect.com
DispoVelo [French site]
www.dispovelo.com

For your convenience these will be delivered to and collected

from the gite.
They have a large range of options to suit your circumstances
and also offer a family rental package.

There are a large number of cycle routes available right on the doorstep.

To help plan your route: https://en.francevelotourisme.com

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 Links
Tourist Sites
http://www.poitou-charentes-vacances.com

http://www.montendre-tourisme.fr

http://www.royan-tourisme.co.uk

http://www.tourisme-blaye.com

http://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk

http://www.saintes-tourisme.fr
Wine/Cognac Tours
France is a producer of many champagnes, fine wines,
http://www.pons-tourisme.com
cognac and other local aperitifs such as Pineau, a fortified
wine.
http://www.jonzac-tourisme.com/fr/
We are located right in wine country and as such have an
abundance of Chateaux around the area, most of which sell
http://www.tourisme-saintaulaye.fr
direct to the public (vente direct) so feel free to drive in and
sample their wares.
http://www.francethisway.com/regions/charente-
We are also only 55 mins from Cognac and they too welcome
maritime.php
visitors. Most of the larger Cognac houses have organised
tours, showing you the history and the process around the
http://www.the-french-atlantic-coast.com/what-to-
cognac production. Check the website for details and how to
see/beaches/
book your visit.
http://www.martell.com/en-ww/visit-us
http://www.larochelle-tourisme.com
http://www.cognacwinetours.com/courvoisiervisits.htm
http://www.francethisway.com/places/a/montendre-
charente-maritime.php
https://www.cognac-expert.com/cognac-brands/maxime-
https://frenchmoments.eu/category/regions-of- trijol-cognac
france/aquitaine-limousin-poitou-charentes/page/3/
http://www.hennessy.com/us/maison/visit
http://www.oliverstravels.com/blog/aquitaine-travel-
guide/?olv=2qdGhd http://uk.vindepayscharentais.fr

http://www.ville-montendre.fr Some of the smaller houses are also very accommodating and
you can arrange a personal tour of their operation.
Most of these tours kindly provide lots to sample please
make sure you agree on a designated driver for the day.
Market Days
https://poitoucharentesinphotos.wordpress.com/market-days-
in-poitou-charentes/market-days-in-charente-maritime/

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Things for the kids:
http://www.lesantillesdejonzac.com/accueil-antilles

http://www.zoo-palmyre.fr/en

http://www.zoo-bordeaux-pessac.com

http://www.aquarium-larochelle.com/en

http://www.dunedupilat.com/english/

http://www.haute-saintonge.net/foret/

http://www.palmilud.com/index.php/fr/

http://www.aqualand.fr/bassin-d-arcachon/

Things for everyone:

http://www.violonsurlesable.com

http://www.francofolies.fr

http://www.chateau-de-
beaulon.com/site/une_tradition/index.php?l=en

http://www.larochecourbon.fr/en

http://www.circuitkarting.fr/karting-saint-genis-de-saintonge.php

http://www.bowlingdulac.fr

http://www.visit-poitou-charentes.com/en/Marais-poitevin/Green-
Venice

http://www.bikehiredirect.com/cyclingincharentemaritime.html

http://www.france-atlantic.com/hiking-and-riding

http://www.visit-poitou-charentes.com/en/Green-tourism/Natural-
reserves

http://www.parc-marais-poitevin.fr

http://www.en-charente-maritime-publi.com/en/discovery-passport-
2016/files/assets/basic-html/page-1.html

http://www.blockout.fr/bo-bordeaux

http://www.roc-altitude.com

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Vineyard Map

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Cognac Map

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Tour De France 2017

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Smitchells Gregoire
We do hope this information has helped you plan a great holiday.

We wish you a safe journey home and hope we meet again soon.

10 Rue de Gregoire
17130

smitchells.fr @hotmail.com