Gites de Vanzay Guidebook
Fresh bread
Nearest boulangeries and supermarkets that sell fresh bread / baked goods
La meule lezéenne
13 Rue de VaugruTop recommendation. 10 mins away.
Le Fournil de la Plaine
2 Route de Montalembert15 mins away.
La Fournée Lezéenne
12 Place de la Payse10 mins away.
boulangerie patisserie thiaudiere
22 Grande Rue5 mins away.
Boulangerie J&J AUBARD
87 Grande Rue15 mins away.
Supermarkets
List of local supermarkets - nearest is 5 mins / 5 km and then there are many more within 10-20 mins drive
Coop
26 Grande RueNearest supermarket - 5 mins / 5 km.
Open Sundays 09.00 - 12.00.
10 mins / 10 km. Open Sundays 09.00 - 12.15.
10 os moradores locais recomendam
Intermarché Super et Drive
Avenue du Professeur Girard10 mins / 10 km. Open Sundays 09.00 - 12.15.
Super U et drive
17 Rue des Portes Rouges15 mins
Carrefour Contact
1 Grand Rue15 mins
Lidl
Route de Villefagnan20 mins
E.Leclerc Ruffec
52 Rte d'Aigre20 mins
Food scene
5 mins. Mad Hatter's Kitchen is a well known, popular meeting place for English and French. A great place to sit on the terrace with a wine or beer and watch the sunset.
Mad Hatter's Kitchen
5 mins. Mad Hatter's Kitchen is a well known, popular meeting place for English and French. A great place to sit on the terrace with a wine or beer and watch the sunset.
Café des Sports
19 Grande Rue5 mins. Friendly little bistro, great drinks and snacks.
10 mins. Bar, pizza, tapas, groceries and a games room which shows football matches. It has everything!
La Pause d'Oré
3 Rue des Écoles10 mins. Bar, pizza, tapas, groceries and a games room which shows football matches. It has everything!
10 mins. Classic French bar. Nice pit-stop for a coffee or beer when exploring Lezay market.
Le Café du Commerce
3 Pl. du Marché10 mins. Classic French bar. Nice pit-stop for a coffee or beer when exploring Lezay market.
restaurant l'assiette
7 Rue du Parc10 mins. Enjoy beautifully presented, home-made regional dishes.
15 mins. Lovingly prepared, home-cooked dishes - from a cooked English Breakfast to Afternoon Tea.
Lemon Tree Salon De The
71 Grande Rue15 mins. Lovingly prepared, home-cooked dishes - from a cooked English Breakfast to Afternoon Tea.
Le Chiquito
1 Grand Rue10 mins. Typical French bar. Great pit stop if cycling in the area or exploring Rom.
20 mins. Booking essential. Enjoy the lunchtime 3 course menu of the day for just €16. Dine on the terrace overlooking the Charente river.
7 os moradores locais recomendam
Hôtel du commerce
5 Rue du Pont des Barres20 mins. Booking essential. Enjoy the lunchtime 3 course menu of the day for just €16. Dine on the terrace overlooking the Charente river.
20 mins. Burgers are very popular here. As are the cocktails!
6 os moradores locais recomendam
Secret Garden
28-30 Grande Rue20 mins. Burgers are very popular here. As are the cocktails!
20 mins. Little Vietnamese in the heart of Melle. Just €19 for 3 courses, including daily specials. Booking essential at weekends.
Le Vietnam
5 Rue des Halles20 mins. Little Vietnamese in the heart of Melle. Just €19 for 3 courses, including daily specials. Booking essential at weekends.
pizzeria restaurant JOS
1 Rue des Seillon20 mins. Very popular pizzeria, many tasty options.
25 mins. Great setting by the Charente, decadent interior.
7 os moradores locais recomendam
Restaurant Jeux de Pots
1 Rue du Temple25 mins. Great setting by the Charente, decadent interior.
Le Bistrot des Douves
38 Rue des Halles25 mins. Great beer and lagers on tap.
Attractions within 10 minutes
Run by volunteers to raise funds for animal rescue charities. Bric-a-Brac and English produce/cafe.
ARK 79 Charity shop
8 Rue d'AunisRun by volunteers to raise funds for animal rescue charities. Bric-a-Brac and English produce/cafe.
The church dates back to the 12th century and looks great both during the day and when illuminated at night.
Eglise Saint-Jacques
Rue de l'ÉgliseThe church dates back to the 12th century and looks great both during the day and when illuminated at night.
Piscine d'été de Lezay
Rue du MaraisPopular outdoor pool with separate children's pool.
Iron Age burial site. Very well preserved. Explore in the inside of the structure with a torch.
Tumulus du Montioux
D55Iron Age burial site. Very well preserved. Explore in the inside of the structure with a torch.
This "lantern of the dead" is c.900 years old and dominates the local skyline looking back toward Vanzay.
Lanterne des Morts
This "lantern of the dead" is c.900 years old and dominates the local skyline looking back toward Vanzay.
City Stade
Lovely play area with outdoor gym equipment. Picnic and toilet facilities.
A lovely little museum for anyone interested in the Gallo-Roman era. Archaeology and history abound!
Musée de Rauranum
1 Place de l'EgliseA lovely little museum for anyone interested in the Gallo-Roman era. Archaeology and history abound!
Rom cemetery is the resting place of 30 British SAS soldiers and 1 American pilot, all of them massacred in the nearby forest of Saint-Sauvant on 7 July 1944. It is a very moving dedication to these fallen soldiers.
Église Saint-Paulin Saint-Liphard de Rom
79120 Impasse de l'ÉgliseRom cemetery is the resting place of 30 British SAS soldiers and 1 American pilot, all of them massacred in the nearby forest of Saint-Sauvant on 7 July 1944. It is a very moving dedication to these fallen soldiers.
Etang des marzelles
12 D114Fishing lake with children’s playground with picnic and BBQ area plus toilets.
Leisure activities
15 mins. Great fishing lake with fun playground, bbq, picnic bench and toilet facilities. During the summer there is also a cafe/bar. Very serene and quiet in the morning.
Plan d'Eau du Bois Meunier
15 mins. Great fishing lake with fun playground, bbq, picnic bench and toilet facilities. During the summer there is also a cafe/bar. Very serene and quiet in the morning.
20 mins. Lovely little swimming and fishing lake. Plenty of easy shaded parking. Nice concrete picnic benches and a children's play area.
plan d'eau de Saint Macoux
20 mins. Lovely little swimming and fishing lake. Plenty of easy shaded parking. Nice concrete picnic benches and a children's play area.
Piscine Aqua'Melle
Allée du Pinier20 mins. Outdoor swimming pool with retractable roof to extend the season.
20 mins. Exhilarating, fun karting track. Friendly and professional team with good safety focus.
Sports Karting Promo
30 Rue Impériale20 mins. Exhilarating, fun karting track. Friendly and professional team with good safety focus.
25 mins. Various kayaking options from 4km to 10km along the Clain. Lots of little rapids to add to the fun!
Les Pagayous
10 Rue Marcel Bourumeau25 mins. Various kayaking options from 4km to 10km along the Clain. Lots of little rapids to add to the fun!
25 mins. Great place to hire canoes and paddleboard on the Charente.
10 os moradores locais recomendam
Ruffec Canoe-Kayak
25 mins. Great place to hire canoes and paddleboard on the Charente.
Plan d'eau des Trois Fontaines
30 mins. Swimming lake with popular on site bar/cafe.
Sightseeing
Where - 10 mins away.
When - Tuesday. It’s market day and there’s something for everybody!
Why - hosts one of the biggest markets in the region - lots of local produce plus clothes, tools, and furniture. Grab a coffee or a beer at the Café du Commerce on one side of the market square.
7 os moradores locais recomendam
Lezay
Where - 10 mins away.
When - Tuesday. It’s market day and there’s something for everybody!
Why - hosts one of the biggest markets in the region - lots of local produce plus clothes, tools, and furniture. Grab a coffee or a beer at the Café du Commerce on one side of the market square.
Where - 20 mins away.
When - Friday. It’s market day and the best and liveliest time to visit.
Why - Renowned for its 3 Romanesque churches. Be sure to try the local speciality, a goat's cheese called chabichou. Melle has all the amenities of a provincial town.
32 os moradores locais recomendam
Melle
Where - 20 mins away.
When - Friday. It’s market day and the best and liveliest time to visit.
Why - Renowned for its 3 Romanesque churches. Be sure to try the local speciality, a goat's cheese called chabichou. Melle has all the amenities of a provincial town.
Where - 20 mins away.
When - the park surrounding the chateau is open to the public everyday, free of charge.
Why - lovely chateau with magnificent grounds, the highlight being a huge lake. Numerous walks are possible around the lake along the Boutonne, the river which borders the park, as well as laid out Balades et Découvertes circuits to stop at picnic and play areas.
Château de Javarzay
9 Avenue des Fils FouquaudWhere - 20 mins away.
When - the park surrounding the chateau is open to the public everyday, free of charge.
Why - lovely chateau with magnificent grounds, the highlight being a huge lake. Numerous walks are possible around the lake along the Boutonne, the river which borders the park, as well as laid out Balades et Découvertes circuits to stop at picnic and play areas.
Where - 20 mins away.
When - Open everyday during July and August. Weekends only during other months.
Why - the pedal go karts are super fun, as is getting (temporarily!) lost in the maze!
12 os moradores locais recomendam
Romagna Vegetal Maze
Where - 20 mins away.
When - Open everyday during July and August. Weekends only during other months.
Why - the pedal go karts are super fun, as is getting (temporarily!) lost in the maze!
Where - 20 mins away. When - at the weekend. Why - A sensory and immersive journey in 5D: follow the life of Pierre from 1898 to 1945. From school days to life on the farm, to the world wars...
15 os moradores locais recomendam
Le Cormenier
19 Chez BernardeauWhere - 20 mins away. When - at the weekend. Why - A sensory and immersive journey in 5D: follow the life of Pierre from 1898 to 1945. From school days to life on the farm, to the world wars...
Where - 25 mins away.
When - the 'Jewel of the Charente' can be visited anytime.
Why - discover the village by taking one of the self-guided walking tours, breath-taking views of the Chateau and Charente river abound. Dine by the river at Jeux de Pots or enjoy an alcoholic beverage at le Bistrot des Douves.
63 os moradores locais recomendam
Verteuil-sur-Charente
Where - 25 mins away.
When - the 'Jewel of the Charente' can be visited anytime.
Why - discover the village by taking one of the self-guided walking tours, breath-taking views of the Chateau and Charente river abound. Dine by the river at Jeux de Pots or enjoy an alcoholic beverage at le Bistrot des Douves.
Where - 30 mins away.
When - Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays (when the Royal Abbey is open).
Why - The Royal Abbey dominates the skyline and is a must-visit. Also try the "Poetic Promenade" that allows you to discover various heritage sites, the whole walk being punctuated by poems. Feast on burgers or cheese fondue at Le Depanneur de Celles.
9 os moradores locais recomendam
Celles-sur-Belle
Where - 30 mins away.
When - Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays (when the Royal Abbey is open).
Why - The Royal Abbey dominates the skyline and is a must-visit. Also try the "Poetic Promenade" that allows you to discover various heritage sites, the whole walk being punctuated by poems. Feast on burgers or cheese fondue at Le Depanneur de Celles.
Where - 35 mins away. When - Anytime. Why - a compact city centre that’s easy to explore. Grab a coffee or lunch in one of the cafes/restaurants by the Church of Notre Dame la Grande and watch the world (and people!) go by.
188 os moradores locais recomendam
Poitiers
Where - 35 mins away. When - Anytime. Why - a compact city centre that’s easy to explore. Grab a coffee or lunch in one of the cafes/restaurants by the Church of Notre Dame la Grande and watch the world (and people!) go by.
Where - 45 mins away.
When - open everyday during summer.
Why - family theme park with an emphasis on technology and visual effects (3D, 4D) and an extensive playground for children (“Futuropolis”).
492 os moradores locais recomendam
Futuroscope
Avenue René MonoryWhere - 45 mins away.
When - open everyday during summer.
Why - family theme park with an emphasis on technology and visual effects (3D, 4D) and an extensive playground for children (“Futuropolis”).
Where - 60 mins away. When - any time. Why - Visit the ramparts, near Place des Halles. You get to see all of the old town of Angoulême. This lovely walk will give you breathtaking views and enables you to discover a more secret Angoulême with its paved streets, noble façades and listed buildings.
187 os moradores locais recomendam
Angoulême
Where - 60 mins away. When - any time. Why - Visit the ramparts, near Place des Halles. You get to see all of the old town of Angoulême. This lovely walk will give you breathtaking views and enables you to discover a more secret Angoulême with its paved streets, noble façades and listed buildings.
Where - 90 mins away.
When - Any, open 7 days a week.
Why - reflect on the atrocity of war and learn about the WW2 massacre that took place in this town. Visit the Oradour-sur-Glane martyr village and Memorial Centre.
172 os moradores locais recomendam
Oradour-sur-Glane
Where - 90 mins away.
When - Any, open 7 days a week.
Why - reflect on the atrocity of war and learn about the WW2 massacre that took place in this town. Visit the Oradour-sur-Glane martyr village and Memorial Centre.
Where - 90 mins away. When - anytime. Why - explore the Old Port area, often pedestrianised at weekends. La Rochelle Market is open daily, from around 8am to 1pm. Rue Gambetta or Rue Thiers are perfect for a coffee, pastry and people watching.
514 os moradores locais recomendam
La Rochelle
Where - 90 mins away. When - anytime. Why - explore the Old Port area, often pedestrianised at weekends. La Rochelle Market is open daily, from around 8am to 1pm. Rue Gambetta or Rue Thiers are perfect for a coffee, pastry and people watching.
Local amenities
List of the nearest pharmacy, bakery, butcher, mechanic, tabac, petrol station, etc.
Pharmacie de Chaunay
17 Grande RuePharmacy - 5 mins away.
Pharmacie du Marché
11 Place du MarchéPharmacy - 10 mins away.
Lezay Mécanic
16 Route de SauzeMechanic - 10 mins away.
TABAC PRESSE FDJ PMU LEZAY
Rue du MaraisLottery, tobacco - 10 mins away.
Intermarché station-service Lezay
23 Rue de MellePetrol station - 10 mins away.
Station-Service Carrefour Contact
3 Rue du VachonPetrol station
Hospital Group Du Haut Val De Sèvre Et Du Mellois
Route de la RocheHospital - 20 mins away