Au Pays des Bulles

The domes are a kilometre and a half from Montendre, home to 11th-century Château de Montendre on a rocky spur overlooking heathland, the town and Double forest. There's an arts and culture museum at the castle; back in town, take a guided walk from the tourist office around Montendre's old buildings and medieval streets. Montendre also has a lake edged with 10 hectares of pine trees for woodland wanders, as well as pedalo boat and canoe hire by the water and a lakeside beach that's lifeguarded in July and August. Night markets are held in town every Tuesday evening in summer. By car, it's half an hour to watery days at Les Antilles de Jonzac waterpark, and about 55 minutes to beaches at Talmont and Meschers on the Gironde estuary. Bordeaux, its Golden Triangle and its wine museum are reachable in about an hour.