Domaine de la Baleine Bleue

If you’d prefer to keep your eco-footprint to a minimum, hang out on site to participate in free permaculture workshops on sustainable farming, market gardening or tree pruning. Alternatively, have a wander on foot or by bike in the dense woodland surrounding Domaine de la Baleine Bleue, where you might get to see deer flitting through the trees. Further afield, explore the subterranean Church of St-Jean, carved out of solid rock below the pretty village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (35 minutes’ drive), or whisk the kids out onto the River Dronne by canoe. In lovely Jonzac (45 minutes), take a guided tour of centuries of history at the landmark château, and then cool off with a dip in the lake at Les Antilles de Jonzac, where you can also try paddleboarding or run around under the splash fountains with your kids. Wine lovers may care to stock up on fine vintages from the grand cru vineyards around Saint-Émilion (40 minutes’ drive), or perhaps head into Bordeaux (90 minutes) for a day learning about wine cultivation at the futuristic Cité du Vin, followed with a blow-out supper accompanied by local wines on Place du Marché des Chartrons.