Gite De La Foret

We are surrounded by glorious countryside, a perfect place for walking, cycling, fishing, bird watching, photography, painting, reading or just relaxing.
The area offers a plethora of wildlife, groups of deer grazing in adjacent fields, red squirrels, and is a delight for bird watchers where red and black kites, hoopoe, buzzards; woodpeckers both green and greater spotted, herons, owls and even the elusive golden oriel can be seen.
There is very little light pollution providing fabulous star lit night skies for those star gazers. During August there are amazing meteorite showers giving way to shooting stars that can be seen.
The Brenne Regional Natural Park is very close and it offers you beautiful walks, both on foot and by bike.
Within a couple of kilometres there is fishing in abundance, and with 6km away is Lake Eguzon where you can eat and relax on Fougères beach, or even take on a multitude of water activities such as canoeing, paddleboarding, water skiing, windsurfing,
Golfers can find a round at the Hotel les Dryades some 20 k away and the hotel also offers spa facilities.
The roads are for ideal for motor cyclists who wish to do their own Tour de France and Gite de la Foret is an ideal stop off point.
Château de Crozant and Ruins are close by. The scenery from the ruined chateau is spectacular, with views of the confluence of the Creuse and Petite Creuse rivers. No wonder it inspired Claude Monet to produce his famous paintings, one of which is on show at the museum in Gueret.
Crozant is set in spectacular scenery , known as the Valley of the Artists. Visit the ruins of the chateau, then after a lovely lunch at the Hotel du Lac, you can enjoy a pleasure boat cruise along the river to Eguzon, or hire a kayak.
The Lac de Chambon (Chambon Lake) is an artificial lake on the Creuse River, (with ski nautique, wakeboard, caesura and restaurants) was created by the Eguzon dam, a hydroelectric dam. Beaches have been created around the lake, the largest in the Centre Region. There is a sailing school on the lake near Eguzon. Canoes, kayaks and pedalos can be hired in season. The lake is also very popular with waterskiers and anglers.

Climbing on les Pierres des Jaumatres is great fun for children and is about an hour away. There is a cafe and restaurant located there and within another 5 kilometres is and the observation tower, constructed in 1932 by Abbé Aguillaume at Toulx Sainte Croix is close by and is great to climb. 7 departments in France can be seen from the top including the Puy Dome in the Central Mastiff.

Another day trip for the children would be to le Lac de Sidialles, they have a similar set up as "go ape", zip wires, walks and cafe facilities are available.

The are also the obligatory chateaux in the area including Culan, Sarzay, Chenonceau and a new chateau is being built at Guedelon. It is a 25 year project and I believe they are about 18 years through. that is a little further away, certainly a day trip. Although it is being build with 21st century health and safety standards, there is not a JCB in sight!