What’s on in Poitou-Charentes; June 2017

Tags

Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, Holidays in France, Poitou Charentes, Vienne, Whats on in Poitou-Charentes

 Plenty on in Poitou-Charentes this June, I am always up for the Ferraris in Valle de Vienne and its in support of a good cause. There is some Jazz on in St George de Didonne  on the 10th, which might be worth a look, and there is  lots, lots more.

 

June 2017

Festival Musiques Metisses, Angouleme 2nd to 4th June (more)

Les Visiteur de L’Autre Monde; Chateau-Larcher 2nd 3rd 4th and 9th and 10th June 2017(more)

Festival de Melle 16th June (more)

Notes en Vert at Perigny 10th to 12th June (More) (Still the 2016 site)

Spectacles nocturnes Coeurs en Bataille; Nouaille-Maupetuis: 2nd 3rd and 4th June (more) Don’t forget your glasses.

500 Ferraris contre le cancer: Val de Vienne, Le Vigeant:  1st 2nd 3rd and 4th June (more)

 

 

Festival Musiques et Gastronomiques du Monde, Mathes  2nd and 3rd June (more) 

Jazz concert, LE QUARTET CARIBA, St George de Didonne 10th June (more) 

Half Marathon; Niort: 11th June (more)

Highland Games; Bressuire: 10th and 11th June  (more)

Festival Handi Blues; Saint Trojan-les-Bains 12th to18thJune (more) 

Polychromies de Notre Dame le Grand; Poitiers: starts 21st June then every night till 21st Sept. (more)

Festival de Melle; Melle 16th May to 6th June 2016 (more)

L’escargouille (snail farm) open day; Blanzay: (around the 15th June ) (more) Rather like the occupants, the owners are rather slow in updating their web site! They also sell products in local markets check site for dates.

Maraisthon; Coulon: 18th June (more)

Ball-trap (painful!!!);Route de Serpaize 38200 Luzinay 20th May (more)

Fete de la Music; A one day event across Poitou-Charente, indeed all France check web site for what is on near you; 21st June (more)

Fete de la Saint Jean, Les Mathes 21st  June (more) 

La Journee Medieval ‘La Rancon du Roi: Nouaille-Mauperuis: Last Sunday in June,     the 26th(more)

Vintage Cars Grand Prix ; Bressuire: 23rd 24th and 25th June  (more) (more)

Le festival de les Sarabandes, Rouillac    23rd to 25th June (more)

Free Music festival; Montendre: 23r and 24th June (more)

Jazz à Vienne & Saison Jazz  (loads of stuff all over check web site); Vienne 29th June – 13th July (more)

Marche sur L’Eau; Le Vanneau-Irleau: Towards the end of June, they are usually fairly non specific about the date. (more)

Whats on in Poitou-Charentes; May 2017

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Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, Holidays in France, May in Poitou-Charentes, Poitou Charentes, Vienne, What's on in Poitou-Charentes

Well, what’s on at the time of preparing this is an orange alert storm warning. Lets hope all passes by without too much disruption. Also what’s on is the elections, French and British. Presumably most of my FB ‘friends’ will want Macron to win because even on FB you get a sense of peoples leanings and if you are my friend then you would sense that I lean to the Liberal side of the political spectrum.

OK this is what is on for May.

May 2017

Ateliers adultes création de mosaique 3ème cycle St Romain-en-Gal, 3rd May  (more)This is close to Vienne which is just south of Lyon…. my mistake, sorry

Sortie avec Nature Vivante : Jardins & biodiversitéCentre-village
38780 Estrablin 4th May (more)

RÉCIT “PLAIRE, ABÉCÉDAIRE DE LA SÉDUCTION”; RUFFEC, 4th May (more)

Vide Grenier; La Couarde sur Mer  7th May (more)

Vienne en Fleurs; 30 Avenue du General Leclerc 38200 Vienne, 7th May  (more)  

Festival Plein Sud; Cozes : 9th May to 14th May (more)

Atelier Chocolat; 22 rue du Bourg, Chocolaterie Letuffe, TROIS PALIS: 4th May  and again on 10th May(more)

Festival International de Music de Chambre en Charente; Chalais  6th May to 4th June  (more)

Découverte du patrimoine: Vienne nuits et legends; 14 Cours Brillier 38200 Vienne  13th May and future dates throughout the summer check web site (more)

Regate Le Grand Largue; St Denis D’Oleron 13th May (more)

 

Patrimoine, Jazz and Wine – Jazz & pop: 12 pl Aristide Briand
69560 Sainte-Colombe 18th May (more)

Le mentaliste Thierry Collet, Chasseneuil du Poitou 19th May (more)

Half Marathon; Aytre-La Rochelle 21st May  and Futuroscope in May (more)

Rallye du Printemps; (motor sport) Bords, Charente Maritime: 13th and 14th May  always a slow site to publish the current years agenda so check it out. (more)

CONCERT : HELLFEST WARM UP TOUR La Nef ANGOULEME 20th May (more)

Festival Histoire de Choeurs; St Palais sur Mer, 19th to 21st May (more) 

Spectacles nocturnes Coeurs en Bataille; Nouaille-Maupertuis:   12th May (more)Pour les 13, 19 et 20 mai, 2, 3 et 4 juin 2017 : groups of 10 people!

13ème Festival “Musique au Pays de Pierre Loti” Saint-Pierre d’Oléron 20th to 27th May (more)

Scènes de Territoire Bressuire  31st May  (more)

“Une passion qui donne des ailes” Niort open until 31st May  (more)

What’s on in Poitou-Charentes; March 2017

Tags

Angouleme, Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, events in Poitou-Charentes, Holidays in France, Poitou Charentes, Vienne, What's on in Poitou-Charentes

March, already, so Spring is finally here. Lots of stuff on this month

 

 

Jour de Carnival; Poitiers: 8th March (more)

Printemps des Poets; Niort: 4th to 19th March (more)

Concert; La Belle Bleue, Le Chateau D’Oleron 10th March (more)

Reggae The Mighty Diamonds, Angouleme La Nef 10th March (more) check site for other gigs.

Venitien Carnival; Etaules: 12th March (more)

La Tete dans les Nuages – magic, circus,arts, and dance for youngsters; Angouleme; 11th to 18th March (more) 

Concert Best Of Floyd à Chasseneuil du Poitou le 14 mars 2017 (more)

Marathons and Half Marathons at various locations, Bressuire, La Rochelle, St Eutrope,and Taillebourg, throughout March (more) 

Celtic Legends; Bressuire:17th March (more)

Concert, Wax Tailor Angouleme La Nef  23rd March (more)

Terri’Thouars Blues: Thouars: 30th March to 2nd April (more)

Rochefort Pacifique cinema (L’Archipel des Marquaise); Rochefort 29th March to 2nd April. (more)

Foire at Rouillac: 27th March

Journées des métiers d’art en France,    Cognac 31st March to 2nd of April (more) This is a world wide event with lots of venues, Cognac is just one : check web site for others.

What’s on in Poitou-Charentes; February 2017

Tags

Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, Holidays in France, Mimosa Festival, Vienne, What is on in Poitou-Charentes

 This is some of what is on in Poitou-Charentes in February….  it seems like I have listed quite a lot. It is always worth checking out the tourist sites for the individual departments. I have put links to these on the page which covers all the events for the year  Some of these sites are easier to use than others but isn’t that always the case.

February 2017

 

Spectacle Mozart Group, Saint Benoit 2nd Feb  2017 (more)

Labulkrack; Bressuire;  Le theatre de Bressuire 4th Feb (more)

Anne Paceo; La Rochelle, La Coupe d’Or 2nd Feb (more) 

Spectacle Olivier De Benoist, Vouneuil Sous Biard 3rd Feb (more)

Concert The Wackids , Vouneuil Sous Biard   4th Feb (more)

Orchestre des Champs-Élysées  Saintes, Abbaye aux Dames, 8th Feb (more) Check web site for other events

Stage de musique de chamber, Saintes, Abbaye aux Dames, 6th to 10th Feb (more) 

LE TOUR DE VALSE d’après la BD de Pellejero & Lapière;  Ruffec 10th Feb (more)

Foire de Truffles: Villebois-lavalette : 11th February (more)

Flea market, Angouleme 11th Feb (more)

Festival Escale d’humour  Royan 11th to 13th Feb (more)

Dire de Monde Saints, 14th to 19th Feb (more)

ULYSSE NUIT GRAVEMENT À LA SANTÉ Cie le Cri de l’armoire Ruffec 16th Feb (more)

Trail de Val d’Egray,  Marathon and Half Marathon, Champdeniers 26th Feb (more)

Mimosa Festival: Saint-Trojan-les Bains: 17th,18th and 19th Feb (more) 2days earlier than last year is this global warming?   ‘No such thing’…. D Trump.

Festival International d’Echecs de Rochefort – Chess championship: Rochefort: 18th to 24th Feb (more)

Journées des Moulins Vivants du Bandiat, de La Tardoire, de l’Argence et de la Colle. 25th and 26th Feb (more) Check web site for which Windmills are open.

Foire de Truffles: Jarnac: every Tuesday morning in February (more)

Ancient Weapons Fair: Poitiers: 26th Feb (more)

Carnival, Les Mathes 26th Feb (more)

Film; FLEUR DE TONNERRE  Blanzac 28th Feb (more) Check web site for other films.

Foire de Truffles:Jarnac: every Tuesday morning till end of Feb (more)

 

What’s on in Poitou-Charentes July 2016

Tags

Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, Poitou Charentes, Vienne, Whats on in Poitou-Charentes

Well better late than never, I think after all that referendum stuff my blog mind has gone into temporary retirement, and this month is the big one there is so much on.

What’s on in Poitou-Charentes; May 2016

Tags

Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, Poitou Charentes, Vienne, Whats on in Poitou-Charentes

Ramping up to the holiday season now and with hopefully better weather, so there are a lot more events on this month.

Festival Plein Sud; Cozes :last day 1st May.(more)

Music of Philippe Bianconi; Angouleme: 3rd May (more)

Atelier Chocolat; 22 rue du Bourg, Chocolaterie Letuffe, TROIS PALIS: 4th May  and again on 11th May(more)

Little Big and dope dod in concert; La Rochelle: 4th May (more)

Marionnettes ; En attendant Coco; Angouleme ;4th and 5th May (more)

Festival International de Music de Chambre en Charente; Chalais  7th May to 5th June  (more)

Les Visiteur de L’Autre Monde; Chateau-Larcher : 12th to 15th May (more)

Half Marathon; Aytre-La Rochelle and Futuroscope in May (more)

Festival de Melle; Melle 16th May to 6th June 2016 (more)

Centenaire du Centre de l’Aérostation; Rochefort :21st and 22nd May (more)

Jeremy Ferrari in concert; la Rochelle :21st May (more)

European open day for Moulins (Windmills) some in Poitou- Charentes; 21sdt and 22nd May check web site for which ones (more)

Rallye du Printemps; (motor sport) Bords, Charente Maritime: 23rd and 24th May ?? not sure of date as another site says 21st and 22nd May, so check it out. (more)

Spectacles nocturnes Coeurs en Bataille; Nouaille-Maupertuis:   19, 20, 21, 27, 28 May (more)

Moto Cross; Guimps; 29th May to 3rd July… That’s a very long race! (more)

Niort; Deux-Sevres

Tags

Deux-Sevres, Holidays in France, Niort, Poitou Charentes

Niort, I have been round it maybe 50 times, but have never been into the city. On my way to the Marais Poitevin on through to La Rochelle or Fouras. Many years ago the route round was quite tedious but recently it has improved, although there is a very dangerous slip road where you have to cut straight into a single lane, I think it is the D148 link to the D11. Anyway today we did Niort. The satnav took us into the centre and eventually got us to a car park next to the river and close to the Donjon and Les Halles. I say eventually as it was not up to speed on many of the no entry signs.

First stop was Les Halles de style Baltard, it was open but only about a third of the stalls were selling goods, no fish, mostly cheese and charcutterie, also it was very cold in there. I think the full on days are Jeudi, Samedi and Dimanches.

From there it is a short hop to the Donjon, not a dungeon as it sounds but the ‘Keep’, part of a Chateau that was previously there. This is the most photographed building in Niort, It dates back to the 12th century and is very well preserved, Entrance is about 4euros and is well worth while. There is an extensive museum inside, but the most spectacular thing is the view from the roof. Lots of steps and several floors but eventually you get up there and you can see the entire city before you.

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There is a circular orientation disc with directions and places marked. It is fading a bit with countless people pawing at it, but you can still see what is what.

In one direction is an impressive church with two towers called Eglise Saint-Andre, in front of this and slooping down to Les Halles and the river are old buildings and you get a lovely view of their roofs. You can see this church in the photo above.

In another direction you look across to Le Pilori which was the Hotel de Ville prior to the revolution.

The present Hotel de Ville is in the opposite direction and behind it is another impressive church, this one with one tower and called Notre-Dame,

On the other side you can see the river and indeed the car park where you might see our car. It is the black one!

From the Dojon we went for lunch, attempting to eat at a Restaurant called Le Donjon which is rated number 5 on trip advisor. They were full so we went a short distance back up from the river and ended up at Le Bistoquet (see our review)

After lunch we walked up through the main square, which is huge, and recently modernised and has a massive underground car park, this took us through more shops and the two serpents (the third most photographed…. Donjon number one, Halles number two).

Finally we ended up at the Musee Bernard d’Agesci. Nothing to do with the tennis player Andre Aggesi, it is a large museum, well it seems to go on and on. It is quite old fashioned, particularly the collection of birds and animals from the local area. Just birds on pedestals and very little interpretative stuff, it reminded me of my visits to the Natural History museum in the 1960’s.

They also have paintings and sculpture and scientific instruments.  Lots of the male nudes have lost their manhood! and on one it had turned green. It is worth a visit, and you can  get a double ticket for the Donjon and this museum, so why not. Better on a wet day.

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So that’s it for Niort, I will most certainly visit again it was much more than I expected… do go and enjoy yourself.

What’s on in Poitou-Charentes; January 2016

Tags

Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, events in Poitou-Charentes, Holidays in France, Tourist agenda in Poitou Charentes, Vienne, Whats on in Poitou-Charentes

There are various site which might help you make good use of all the events which crop up in the towns cities and villages of this region.  The tourist information sites for each of the 4 departments are worth a look. I tend to list the bigger attractions and stuff that interests me. I do not tend to list permanent exhibitions or ones that run for several months. Also markets are listed in another part of this site click (markets)

To see what is on in other months of 2016 click (annual agenda)

 

Ma Femme me prend pour un sex-toy: Gond Pontouvre  7th to 30th January    (more)

Manu Lavin and the Devil Blues: La Rochelle 14th January (more)

Retro mobile Club; Cognac Chateaubernard ;16th and 17th January (more)

Jazz a  Saint Sat: Saint Saturnin 19th to 24th January (more)

Oiron Expostion; Oirion; 23rd January (more)

Michele Fugain-Pluribus (guitar) Bressuire:23rd January (more)

Festival International de la Bande Dessinée: Angouleme: 28th January to 31st January (more)

Mulatu Astake: La Rochelle 27th and  29th January (more)

Foire de Truffles: Jarnac every Tuesday morning through January/February (more)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mad Hatters Tea Party; Caunay, August 2015

Tags

Caunay, Coffees and Cigarettes, Deux-Sevres, Dubella Lounge, Mad Hatters, Poitou Charentes, Whats on in Poitou-Charentes

 

We went there on the Saturday afternoon….. after it had rained all day on the Friday, so this gave the place the authentic muddy Glastonbury feel.

Saturday was a good day and we decided to stay on for the evening session. The afternoon is free but if you stay for the evening then it cost you and you have the option to pay more and then a meal is included or pay less and that’s just for the bands. We decided to pay less as we were not sure how interested the grandchildren would be.  As it turned out I think we chose the best option as we still could get food from the food tent and the queue for the pre paid evening meal was quite long and what I saw of the food it was not that special for the price.

There was quite a lot to do and the children soon made friends with other children and made good use of the bouncy castle and the face painting and other juggling type games. Most of this stuff was free as was the pop corn although you could make a donation.

There was one stage and the bands were quite good although our favourite was a two piece called ‘Coffees and Cigarettes’ and they played to the left of the main stage and also filled in between one ‘main’ band and another. My son even bought their CD and offered to book them to play at his bar in Birmingham called the Dubella Lounge. They said they had never played in the UK but they did exchange phone numbers so it might happen one day. This is one half of the duo, the other guy played a cello. Also in this photo is a guy who was very keen on this band and was quite good at juggling and had a lovely dog.

The beer tent was visited regularly and supplied recyclable containers which you could either keep or return and get your deposit back, we kept ours, the wine was cheaper by the bottle so that’s what we did.

The audience was largely British and a lot of ageing hippies, but that was all part of it. It makes you wonder how many Brits there are in rural France; well into the hundreds I would guess.The bands were more French and quite rightly introduced everything in both French and English. This was the fifth time this event has been staged and like most of these festivals will no doubt get bigger and better each year, I would certainly look out for it next year. Click on any of the photos below to get a close up and maybe see yourself in the crowd?

Their web site is http://www.madhattersfrance.eu/festival-deux-sevres.php and it is held in Caunay, don’t muddle it up with Chaunay which is close but not the same place. It is on the site of a big house which is a sort of good food/natural ingredients restaurant, Called Mad Hatters.

 

Where are the Plan d’Eau in Poitou-Charentes ?

Tags

Base de Loisirs, Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres, Etang, Plan d'Eau, Poitou Charentes, Vienne

Many years ago (over 20 ) when we first came to this region of France and our children were quite young we were always looking for a good local lake or river for bathing in the summer. In those days we did not have the internet and so we collected leaflets from the tourist info places and kept our eyes peeled whilst driving about. Below is St Martin L’Ars on a grey day in August.

We found a few and probably in those days the one at Chateau Garnier was our favourite. It is now just a fishing lake and the swimming is no longer an option. So now the Plan d’Eau at St Macoux is favourite.

What I want to do is compile a list of suitable places so that next summer on this site there will be and extensive list of all the venues where you can take your children/grandchildren on a hot summers day

So now its over to you, please let me know where all these places are, along with what facilities they have, ie restaurant, pedalos, fishing, water slide, Teepees, Climbing walls,and such like.

 

I have quite an extensive list from personal experience and I have a lot more by looking up stuff on the internet but I would like my list to be complete and personal. There is a great one at St Vallier near Brossac which we visited many times because my parents in law had a house there for some time in the 1990’s.

 

So do let me know what you think about the venues in your area.  Thank you.