La Batonnière Visitors’ Guide

Practical Information

The nearest cash mashine is located in Mazières en Gatine at the Credit Agricole.

The nearest bakery is in Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay (5 minute drive). Turn left at Vouhé and carry on to Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay. When you reach the village, look for the Boulangerie sign across from the church. Turn right and the bakery will be on your right.

There is also a bakery in Mazières en Gatine, just next to the church and another in Saint Pardoux, just off the main road leading to Parthenay.

The nearest petrol station is the Total located just outside of Mazières en Gatine, off of the main road between Parthenay and Niort.

Groceries

There are three supermarkets in Parthenay: Hyper U, E. Leclerc and Casino. The Super U in Echiré, about 20 minutes from La Batonnière, is generally less busy than the Parthenay supermarkets.

The small Carrefour shop in Mazières en Gatine (5 minutes away) is well stocked with the basics.

There is a bio food market with a nice selection of products in Parthenay, “Aux Quatre Saisons Bio” at Rue Leonardo Da Vinci 31. It is located in a shopping complex near the E. Leclerc supermarket.

There are many local markets in various towns selling all varieties of locally produced foods. The stalls in the covered market in Parthenay on Wednesday mornings offer a lovely array of foods direct from the producers. The morning market (Tues-Sun) at the Halles de Niort is a wonderful way to while away the morning shopping and partaking in the food and drink of the region.

On Friday afternoons, fishmonger Bruno Geffard sets up his mobile shop on the square in Mazières en Gatine selling all sorts of fresh seafood.

Restaurants

1) Le Daniels restaurant in the Alexandra Palace Hotel (www.hotelalexandrapalace.com) tops our list of nearby restaurants for the quality of the food and experience. Located in the historical Château du Petit Chêne, it offers a somewhat formal dining experience in an exquisite setting (particularly nice on the terrace in nice weather). The earliest historical record of La Batonnière was found in the archives of this château. It is located just past Mazières-en-Gatine, about a 10-minute drive from La Batonnière.

2) For a quick take-away dinner you may want to try La Gare’Gouille, a great local food truck located on the corner at 5 Croix des Vignes (where the road past Soutiers meets the main road). +33 781 146969 La Gare’Gouille on Facebook

3) Another takeaway alternative is the Burger Van which is found in Saint-Pardoux (5 min) on Wednesday and Vasles (20 min) on Friday. +33 6 78 73 76 95 www.facebook.com/burgervan79/

4) Le Dix-Vingt in Reffannes is the nearest restaurant to La Batonnière on our list. Located in a village less than 10 minutes away, the cuisine at this restaurant is very popular locally. Open daily for lunch and Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. +33 5 49 94 04 80 www.facebook.com/ledixvingt/; 4 Rue de la Grande Aubergé, 79420 Reffannes

5) Bar Le Zinc in Vasles, approximately 20 minutes from La Batonnière is well-loved and known for simple, good food. 05.49.69.94.924 Place du Vingt Cinq Août, 79340 Vasles www.facebook.com/leZincvasles/

6) The pizza truck Pizza Delice is in Beaulieu-sur-Parthenay on Saturdays. It is in Mazières en Gatine on Fridays and Sundays and other local villages on other evenings. Menus can be found in the sideboard. (www.pizzadelice79.fr)

7) L’Ardoise de l’Augé, approximately 20 minutes from La Batonnière;

8) There are many great options for eating in Niort. A couple of our favourites are Les Planches (great burgers) and Auberge de la Rousille on the river and Resto La Terrine (French, specializing in terrines) and La Dolce Vita (Italian, located just next door) in the old town. The many restaurants on the Esplanade de la République are a great place to have lunch or dinner.

9) Parthenay also offers some good restaurants – we particularly like La Citadelle. Enoteka is also a good bet and Aut’fouée is a unique experience in the old town with a medieval theme. La Fin Gourmet is slightly more traditional and serves good local food. Le Sentier des Saveurs is also very popular.

10) For something special, a 35-minute drive to the Chateau de Curzay is well worth it. The chateau and its grounds are spectacular and we’ve always eaten well there. Call ahead as the restaurant is not open every day. +33 549 36 17 00, www.chateau-curzay.fr

11) The Oratorien at Le Logis Saint Martin in Saint-Maixent l'Ecole has an excellent reputation locally for its refined cuisine. The terrace in summer is just lovely. Plan on a 25 minute drive. +33 549 05 58 68. Part of the same hotel group as the Alexandra Palace, www.younancollection.com

Places to source local products

1) Echiré – www.echirelebeurredefrance.fr

76 Place de l’Eglise 79410 Echiré

Phone : 00 33 (0) 5 49 32 89 09

There is a small shop at the Echiré cooperative where you can buy their famous butter. This specialty butter is loved by chefs worldwide and produced just 20 minutes away from La Batonnière. The milk used by the Echiré cooperative is sourced from 66 farms within a 50 mile radius, which is apparently the key to the distinct flavour of its butter.

2) Mets en Vin - www.metsenvin.fr

This is a favourite local shop to buy wine, spirits and a few other specialty products. It is located in the village of Saint Pardoux. Take the road to Soutiers and continue to the main road. Cross the main road and carry on about 100 m. The shop is located on the right next to the hair salon.

3) Nature Gatine – www.naturegatine.fr

Farm shop selling free range poultry, eggs and a variety of specialty foods. It is located a 5 minute drive from La Batonnière.

La Draunière. 79310 Mazières en Gatine

4) La Viette creamery - Located in Soutiers, just down the road; sells dairy products, including a reputed butter.

5) Les Jardins de Pillemil - www.facebook.com/lesjardinsdepillemil/

A short drive from La Batonniére, fruit and vegetables are sold here direct from the farm where they are grown.

6) Chris Primeurs - www.facebook.com/primeurs.poisson/

Fresh fish and seafood from a supplier based in Saint-Pardoux

7) Le Coteau – https://fromagedechevre-lecoteau.fr

Artisanal Cheese Shop - Saint Pardoux (Rue des Chaumes)

8) Le Schaafranière - www.la-schaafraniere.fr Saint Aubin le Cloud - Bio farm which makes Saffron-themed food products and offers activities such as horse-drawn carriage rides and picnics.

Sport and Leisure

1) Golf du Petit Chene (10 minutes) – Lovely 18-hole course in a wooded setting, open to the public and rarely busy.

2) Golf Domaine des Forges (25 minutes) – Three 9-hole courses to mix and match.

3) Tennis Courts – A well-kept municipal court is available down the road in Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay. There is a sign-up sheet posted on-site at the court. The court can be rented for 3 EUR/hour. Phone numbers of the key holders are posted at the court.

4) Hiking trails: The region boasts an abundance of walking routes through the countryside. You can find detailed routes on the following website: www.randoendeuxsevres.fr. The website is in French only; we have translated the directions for the four routes nearest to La Batonnière; you’ll find copies in the sideboard in the dining room.

Tourist Attractions (listed in order of proximity to La Batonnière)

We recommend that you check opening times for local attractions before setting out, as schedules tend to vary. You will find some additional tourist information in the drawer of the sideboard in the dining room.

1) Jardin Val de Flore (5 minutes) - Garden showcasing plants and flowers native to the region.

2) Plan d’eau de Verruyes (5 minutes) - This local lake offers a beach with a lifeguard, children's play area, rental of pedal-boats, and some sporting activities.

3) Jardin du Chateau de la Guyonnière (8 minutes) - Known for its medieval gardens, this castle is located just past the neighbouring village of Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay. The gardens can be visited.

4) Parthenay Medieval Village (15 minutes) - We'd suggest visiting the old town on Wednesday morning while the weekly market is underway. There are also beautiful walks along the river.

5) Saint Marc la Lande (15 minutes) is a small commune not far from La Batonnière which is home to two important historical buildings. The monastic order of St. Antonine was based at the Colleagiate Church and Commandery, regarded as the most important examples of Gothic architecture in the Deux-Sèvres.

6) Parc Mouton Village (20 minutes) - Animal park specialising in 20 breeds of sheep

7) Chateau de Cherveux (20 minutes) – Castle open to visitors during limited hours from April – September.

8) Chateau Fort de Coudray Salbert (24 Minutes) - 13th Century fortified castle located near the village of Echiré

9) Niort (25 minutes)

10) Saint Loup La mairé and Airvault (30minutes)–These are two of the region's prettiest villages, classed as "small cities of character" and they're worth a visit. Small boats can be rented in Saint-Loup.. Market day is Saturday in Airvault and Sunday in Saint-Loup.

11) Gallo-Roman site of Sanxay (25minutes)

12) Tumulus of Bougon – A group of Neolithic dwellings and a museum explaining their history (35 minutes)

13) Coulon(40minutes)–Charming town popular as a starting point for exploring the wetlands of France's "Green Venice", the Marais Poitevin, by boat; the Maison du Marais Poitevin in Coulon tells the story of the marshes. Fabulous place to walk, cycle or have lunch!

14) Chateaude Terreneuve–Fontenayle Compte (45minutes) -The pretty town of Fontenay-le-Compte is worth a visit and the castle is one of its attractions.

15) Hippodrome de Niort–Horse races Sundays at14h00

16) La Voie Verte – Walking and cycling paths through the countryside (there are maps in the house with more information)

17) Silver Minesat Melle (45minutes) - These are the oldest silver mines which can be visited in Europe. There is also a garden on-site showcasing plants which were grown in the Middle Ages. The mines have English-speaking guides but are not able to guarantee bilingual tours at all times. The charming village of Melle itself with its famous church is also worth visiting. Friday is market day.

18) Zoodyssee (50minutes) - Animal park in a forest setting

19) Chateau de Oiron–(50minutes) - One of the most impressive castles of the Deux-Sèvres

20) Château de Saint Mesmin (55minutes) - Fortress with interactive activities for children

21) Futuroscope (55minutes)–Large and popular amusement park near

Poitiers

22) Vallée des Singes (60 minutes) - "Monkey Valley" animal park. The name says it all.

23) Puy de Fou (1hr15minutes)–Wildly popular historical theme park with elaborate live shows based on the history of the region.

Day Trips

1) Poitiers – 45 min

2) Thouars – 1 hour

Further Afield

1) Saumur – 1 hr 15 min

2) La Rochelle – 1 hr 20 min

3) L’ile de Re – 1 hr 35 min (one of our favourite places to visit)

4) Nantes–1hr45min

5) LaRochesurYon- 1hr15min

6) Cognac–1hr30min

7) La Roche Posay–1hr25min

8) Bordeaux – 2 hr 20 min

9) Tours–1hr45min

10) Saint-Savin–1hr25min

Wine Regions

1) Chinon – 1 hr 20 min

2) Haut-Poitou – 45 – 60 min

3) Saumur – 1 hr