Hello

[The Coutts Family]

We are Scott, Kate and our two daughters (ages 3 and 4).

We have been looking at moving from Scotland to France for some time and, based on our own criteria, keep coming across Montmorillon.

But the internet can only take us so far, so the time has come to visit and see for ourselves.

Anyone got any advice on places to go (or avoid) and any recommendations on holiday accommodation would be very welcome.

Thanks,

Scott & Kate

[Fred]

Hello Scott & Kate, welcome to Around Montmorillon.

I can't help in regard to your children as we don't have any, but hopefully someone else will have more info re schools etc. If you keep coming across Montmroillon in your searches I would treat it as a good omen, we kept getting drawn here for some reason and couldn't explain why. That was almost ten years ago and we are still here.

As for where to go, that would depend on what you would like to see. If you want the City life you will need to travel about 1 hour to Poitiers or Limoges, if however you want to see peaceful and beautiful countryside then you won't have far to go.

The town of Montmorillon itself has facility's like supermarkets, hospital, doctors, vets, schools, etc, and a fantastic old part of the town that just has to be explored.

Travel south about 20 mins to Lathus Saint Remy and you will find an excellent choice of walks (free walking maps available in the Montmorillon information office) The Roc D'enfer is a must see. Also whilst there you should visit the CPA here you can take part in all sorts of activities, see their website: CPA Lathus

If you haven't found enough nature at Lathus (though I would imagine you will) You will find even more just north of Le Blanc at the Parc Naturel see website here: Parc naturel régional de la Brenne

Saint Savin is also worth a visit, and do make sure you go to the Cake Shop on the hill with the paintings on the wall, it has the best cakes for miles around.

Chauvigny is another one to add to the list, the market on Saturday is very good and if you go up top to the old part of town you can find Les Geants du Ciel.

Not sure if it's suitable for your children's ages but Futuroscope Theme Parc at Poitiers may be worth a look.

There are many more places to visit like a Motor Racing circuit, Crocodile park, Monkey Park all within easy reach if you have transport.

Not many places to avoid as you will find this area a very friendly part of France, hardly any crime, great weather (most of the time but not today) very little traffic or pollution, and a very safe place to bring up your children. If you're never sure, just shout out here and someone will offer some help. That is if the rest of them wake-up.

Accommodation: There are campsites (some free for motorhomes), Bed & Breakfast are called Chambre d'hôtes, and a Holiday Home is called a Gîte. One of our members has both available in their ad here: La Brasserie

Are you flying or driving?

I hope that has helped a bit, and like I said hopefully someone else will wake up and give you more. But don't hesitate to shout out, and feel free to start some new threads telling others about your visit.

Hope to see you around, and Bon Voyage.

Fred.

[The Coutts Family]

Fred,

Thanks for your message. It was full of info and the kind of assurances we like to hear - thanks.

We are planning a trip for all four of us in Feb. The car hire option is better for exploring as public transport isn't a novelty for kids for long, but cakes, monkeys and crocs are!

We had spotted La Brasserie for holiday accommodation so we will get in touch when we get our dates fixed.

Cheers,

Scott & Kate

[Fred]

Happy to help.

For the Monkeys you go to La Vallée des Singes, I've not been myself but have heard it's worth a look. Website: https://www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr/

And for the Crocs, Admiral has a post about it here: RE: Must see around the Montmorillon area

I started the thread Must see around the Montmorillon area in the hope that others would recommend places to visit, but again they are all asleep
Please add your recommendations to the thread once you've been as it will be helpful to others.

[Admiral]

Hiya Scott and kate.

Welcome to the forum. I've returned from my winter hibernation in Angleterre and woken up. I second everything Fred had to say although I would say Futuroscope is too "old" for your children.

The valley of the monkeys is excellent - just don't have a wallet etc sticking out of your back pocket because the little buggers will be 20ft up a tree with your treasured belongings before you know it.

The crocs place is excellent for small children - because the crocs eat stuff. Although it's only fish and not small children.

Anyway, welcome and just ask away with any queries. No one is going to laugh at you. We all came out here green as the grass and had to start somewhere.

Admiral"wave"

[The Coutts Family]

Once again thanks for the messages.
That's us booked for heading over in February now. We are really looking forward to our visit.
Must book that time off work...

[Fred]

Once again thanks for the messages.
That's us booked for heading over in February now. We are really looking forward to our visit.
Must book that time off work...

Have a good journey and visit, I hope the weather improves for you it's a bit damp at the moment.
*Tip if you keep an eye one the Around Montmorillon Portal if you scroll down on the right hand side you will see the current weather report.

And don't forget to post on the forum about your experience.