Things to do in the area

The farmhouse is ideally situated on the edge of The Brenne National Park, in the beautiful Berry Region in the Department of Indre (36), which opens up a diverse area to discover. 

Climate In the Indre (36) Region

Picture


The Indre Region enjoys a mild climate. 
Temperature extremes range from an average January low of 0.8 °C (33 °F) to an average August high of 25.1 °C (77 °F). 

Holidays - Public/School

Local Information

Argenton sur Creuse is the main town. It is rich in Medieval History  with local bars, shops and restaurants. The beautiful villages of Saint Benoît du Sault, and Gargilesse, are only a short distance away (approx 6 miles) The ancient site of Argentonmagus in Saint Marcel is well worth a visit. 
  • Market Day in  Argenton sur Creuse – Saturday Mornings -  near the church.
          Other Market Days in Department 36 click here 
  • Supermarkets There are many Supermarkets in Argenton sur Creuse……Please bear in mind that a majority of shops close between 12 noon and 2pm, some are open non-stop during the summer months and Sunday Mornings.
           Carrefour:  (J18 off A20) go through the town, pass the post office on your right. 
           Lidl:  (J18 off A20)
           Intermarché:  (Junction 17 off A20).
           Super U :   In Saint Benoît du Sault -  butcher, bread shop, fish shop and other local stores. 
  • Tourist Information Offices are located.....
          Argenton sur Creuse (next to the ‘Pourquoi Pas’ bar in the main Square) Map
          13 Place de la République
          36200 Argenton-sur-Creuse, France
          Tel: 09 79 18 03 53    
          Saint Benoît du Sault (main town centre as you approach)  Map
          Place des Augustins
          36170 SAINT-BENOIT-DU-SAULT
          Tel: 02 54 47 67 95 or 02 54 47 51 44 
          
Vigoux is where the property is situated and is approx 10 mins drive from Argenton sur Creuse. It has a bar and restaurant ’Au Bon Coin’ which has a good menu. 
  • Bakery (Nearest) There is a lovely Bakery in Bazaiges, just off the RN20, the village is signposted
  • Fishing  in the pond in grounds of the house is permitted.  Or on a private lake or local river (Fishing Permits are available at the tackle shop in Argenton-sur Creuse, for a few Euros) 

Restaurants

See the Reviews on TripAdvisor 

Au Bon Vivre………………………... Parnac.  Good menu, excellent food and good value for money.
                                                               Tel: +33 (0)2 54 24 83 31 Au bon vivre
Le Clap................................................. Argenton sur Creuse. Very agreeable restaurant in centre of town.
                                                               Tel:+33 (0)2 54 01 04 60 Le Clap
Le Relais du Matherons     …….…Celon. Steak House - Good menu and fantastic steaks.  Le Relais du Matherons
                                                               1 Rue des Lavandières  36170 Vigoux. 
Restaurants in Eguzon…………..  Eguzon, restaurants near the Lake

Hotel Du Lac Eguzon .......................Situated on the Lake and a riverboat trip to can be booked to take you to the
                                                               Dam at Eguzon!  It's a lovely restaurant and a great location. Highly Recommend
                                                               Hotel du Lac
​
Café du Place…………….………....Argenton. Full menu. Cafe du Place Another good view point for watching
                                                                French life. 3 place de la Republique, 36200 Argenton. Tel : +33(0)2 54 24 12 91
Les Diables au Thym  ………………Argenton. Very good reviews.  9 rue Ledru Rollin,  Argenton.   
                                                               Tel : +33 (0)25 43 48 172  Les Diable au Thyme
Le Petit Roi ………………………….Argenton, Le Menoux. Excellent food and service, on the River Bank. 
                                                                restaurant-lepetitroy.com/en/
                                                                A la carte and set menus.  You won’t be disappointed!  Tel: +33 (0)2 54 47 17 70
Pourquoi Pas…………………..…....Argenton.  A good view point for watching French. Le Pourquoi Pas
                                                                1 Avenue Rollinat  36200 Argenton.  Tel : +33(0)2 54 24 02 57 
Rive Droite……………..…………….Argenton.  Good menu.  Moules et frites, pizza.  Informal and good food.
                                                                8 Rue Ledru Rollin, 36200 Argenton.Tel : +33 (0)2 54 24 01 06 Rive Droite
Les Terrasses………………………Argenton.   Bar, hotel and restaurant.  A little formal, but not intimidating.  
                                                                Excellent food and a great view over the river.  Tel: +33 (0)2 54 24 41 01  Les Terrasses

Things to do in the Indre Region and surrounding areas...
​
Trip Advisor top 10 things to do in the region.  Click for details

BIRDWATCHING

Picture
BIRDWATCHING on your doorstep. There is a resident Barn Owl nesting in the adjacent barn together with a Black Redstart and Swallows.  Hoopoes, Yellow and Grey Wagtails, Buzzards, Red Kites and Goshawks visit the garden and surrounding fields.  We are on the borders of La Brenne National Park with its thousand lakes.  It is a vast conservation area dotted with lakes and criss-crossed with bridal paths. There are organised hikes or you can simply set out on your own with a map.   At the 'Maison de la Brenne', there is an interpretive centre where visitors can learn about the region, its ancient traditions of fish farming and nature conservation. 

CANOEING AND  KAYAKING

Picture
CANOEING AND  KAYAKING is available at Lac Chambon near Eguzon. 
 
CHÂTEAUX  The important château at Châteauguillaume is a thirty minute drive and further afield, the Chateau of Sarzay, which is in the process of being restored to its full glory. In a wonderful setting with four towers it is well worth a visit. Also there is a Château in the next village (Celon - 5 mins drive). Other Châteaux in Loire Valley.  List of Châteaux in Indre Region

CYCLING  There are so many areas to cycle in this beautiful region.  For those who need testing, there are many hills and valleys to tackle.  Bikes available for guests to use (free of charge).  Off-road cycling is a must!

FISHING  It is a haven for fishermen, with lakes in abundance in the surrounding area.  We have a lake at the property and there is a river at the bottom of the farmhouse.  Fishing Permits are available at the tackle shop in Argenton-sur Creuse, for a few Euros.  


GOLF at Val De L'Indre

HORSE RIDING is available near Argenton sur Creuse, called Le Trait Blanc. 

SAFARI PARK AT HAUTE TOUCHE The safari park at Haute Touche  is reputed  to have the  world’s most beautiful collection of wild deer which freely roam the forest with many other species. Within the reserve there are in fact 75 species of mammals and 31 species of bird. There is the option of discovering all the animals either by car, bicycle or by foot, or any combination of these. 
 
SHOPPING  For a day out shopping Châteauroux at 35 kilometres has all the major supermarkets selling food, clothes, sports gear at Decathlon etc.etc. The pretty town of Argenton sur Creuse is well worth a visit and is only 10 minutes away by car. When you are in Argenton you can see the old bridge on the river and the ancient houses sit on the banks of the river Creuse. The central square has a welcome café where you can sit out and watch the world go by in true French fashion.

SIGHTSEEING An hour further south is  Limoges with its beautiful cathedral and, of course, plenty of opportunities to purchase gifts of the outstanding Limoges porcelain. It is also an area of great historic interest.  Not far is the ancient town of Montmorillon on the edge of the Gartempe with its 'Cite de L'Ecrit' - everything to do with the art of the book - there are also many historic churches to visit in this town along with a famous chocolatier Ranno-Metivier.   The villages of Gargilesse (where the famous writer George Sand lived) and Saint Benoît du Sault are close by and are classed as some of the prettiest villages in France.

SKIING  For a winter break, there is skiing in the Mountain Region of the Massif Central (1886m),  which is within approximately 3 hours drive.  Ski on Volcanoes in Le Mont Dore!

THEME PARKS  Situated on the edge of three counties you can profit from a diverse range of activities. Poitiers is about an hour away, famous for the fantastic cinematographical centre of Futuroscope. 
Disneyland Paris & Parc Asterix are about 2½  hours drive away or are accessible by train from Argenton-sur-Creuse. 

WATER SPORTS  A day out to visit the vast lake (Lac Chambon at Eguzon - Map) at Eguzon is a must. The lake stretches for twentyfive kilometres and is the perfect place where you can learn to water-ski, sail and windsurf. There are several beaches for swimming and restaurants with a wonderful choice of menus. 

WOLVES ANIMAL PARK  (Loups de Charbieres)  - Map: Chabrières- Gueret  This is a wonderful experience to see up close the wild wolves of the mountains !!

ZOO BEAUVAL A fabulous Zoo!! So much to see and it's a great day out for one and all - Pandas are there too!! Facebook: Zoo Beauval   Map: Beauval, 41110 Saint-Aignan, Centre, France