Description:

DRIVING, DIVING AND FLYING IN THE POITOU CHARENTES REGION

 

Driving around in France on holiday this year, you might find yourself in Poitou-Charentes, in the central western region of France . This region comprises of four departments: Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux -Sevres and Vienne. The residents are known as the Picto-Charentais who use basically three regional languages - Poitevin, Saintongeais and Limousin, many of whose ancestors are thought to have migrated to North America around the 18th century.

 

Like many European nations of the time France colonised various other regions of the world. Perhaps it is because of their far flung ancestry that they have an interest in travel and aviation as in the northern most tip of Deux Sevres and Vienne can be found two flying clubs: the Aèroclub de Loudunais and the Aèroclub de Thouarais.

 

The aéroclub of Thouars was founded in 1936 by M. Aillerit, dentist of Thouars, who had a passion for aviation. Of course the Second World War put a stop to the club as a sport, but it wasn't long before it was back functioning again after 1945. Over the years the club as purchased a number of small planes including a Cessna 150 and 4 seater Boisavia B601 back in 1964 - a plane much sought after by collectors today. Today the aéroclub of Thouars has two planes: a Robin DR400 principally used for tours and a APM30 Lion, used for lessons within the school but also for voyages.

 

Based on the main route between St Jouin de Marnes and Thouars, the aéroclub is associated with a range of clubs including model plane flying, gliding and a parachuting school. They have both an English and a German instructor who live local to the club and offer lessons. They offer a 'baptism' of the air providing short flights of anything from 15 to 30 minutes over the local countryside. Tours of 20 minutes and 30 minutes are offered over Thouars and the area of Chateau Oiron. Prices vary depending on the plane used for the flight but range from 27€ per person to 90€ per person. For just 60€ discover the initiation of flying, or gain your qualification in flying from 710€. At the start of September 2010 the club will be home to the Montgolfieres - or hot air balloonists - which usually take place around the Angouleme region.

 

Address and contact details for the club are: Route de Poitiers, 79100 Missé

Téléphone : 05.49.66.21.69

 

The aéroclub of Loudun or Bellevue flying club as it is known, is set amongst beautiful surroundings at Pè de Jojo and its picnic area. The club offers both trips and flying instruction in a variety of small planes from two seaters to four seaters. They will whisk you up over the Loire valley providing you with a bird’s eye view of chateaux such as Chinon and Ussè, or Fontevraud Abbey the resting place of two famous English kings - Richard the Lionheart and Henry II. The club also has model plane exhibitions usually at weekends, and parachute jumps - both alone and in tandem can be arranged.

The aéroclub of Loudun, which has its own bar, can be found just outside the village of Veniers, in the commune of Loudun. Once again the price of the voyage will depend on the type of plane used and also the price of fuel at the time.

Telephone : 05 49 50 41 90

 

Places to Visit:

Loudun 5 km - ancient keep and medieval gardens, museum of Renaudot, aquarium

Moncontour 19km - XIth century donjon, riverside and forest walks, ancient lavoirs, water sports lake

Thoaurs 5km - medieval town, chateau, ramparts and towers, resistance museum

Montreuil Bellay - chateau and medieval town

Chinon and Saumur - chateaux and towns

 

 

 

Story written by Anji Weston who runs a B&B Le Grand Saule in Moncontour, Vienne

 

 

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