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Montlieu la Garde - the town in the forest
The little town of Montlieu la Garde has a beautiful natural setting in the Forêt de Haute Saintonge. The Saintonge is a land of forests and rivers, of lakes and sunshine, close enough to the Atlantic Ocean to benefit from the beautiful beaches and fabulous weather enjoyed in that part of France, and near enough to major towns to benefit from ease of access and access to facilities. Montlieu la Garde has all this, yet retains an "olde worlde" character, and remains an oasis of peace and tranquillity within itself.
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Village style amenities
Montlieu is a small town, with just around 1,275 inhabitants, so the emphasis is on tranquillity and calm rather than a hectic, buzzing atmosphere. However, the town has a strong sense of community and offers plenty of good village style amenities. There are a handful of useful shops, including a boulangerie, hairdresser's and general grocer's, as well as a library and essential services such as health care, schools and a tourist office to let you know what's going on and where!
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The Haute Saintonge and the House in the Forest
The lovely surroundings of the Haute Saintonge are a perfect refuge for all manner of wildlife, and if you have an interest in the natural world then Montlieu might have something for you. Visit the House in the Forest, the tourist centre which offers not only local information but a fascinating insight into the flora and fauna that are to be found in this unique land. Discover the different varieties of mushrooms and other fungi that proliferate here, and be sure to check which ones are edible and which are not! The centre can advise you on the best place and times to catch the breathtakingly beautiful sight of wild deer, where the best nature trails are to be found and much, much more. The Haute Saintonge is nature's theme park.
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Out and about
This part of France is rich in wonderful places to discover, and you only have to make a very short journey to reach the fabulous Atlantic coast, where all the fun of the seaside can be found. Try taking a trip to the lovely island of Ré, and be sure to take in the buzzing atmosphere of La Rochelle. Then there are the pretty market towns nearby, such as Montguyon and Mirambeau, the major town of Saintes (great for shopping and dining!) and the vineyards and cognac houses where the local specialities of pineau and cognac are created.
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Sports on offer
Sports fans will find there is a great variety of sporting pursuits available in the locality, with lakes suitable for swimming, sailing and fishing, rivers for canoeing and kayaking, great walking trails and wonderful facilities for horse riders and cyclists alike. In Montlieu itself there is an open air swimming pool for the summer months, a tennis court and skate park. There is also a golf course nearby, and of course, petanque courts a plenty!
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How to get there
There are two airports close to Montlieu la Garde, these being La Rochelle and Bordeaux, both of which offer a choice of airlines and departure points from the UK. La Rochelle is served by Ryanair, flybe and easyJet, and Bordeaux by British Airways, flybe, bmibaby, Aer Lingus and easyJet. Train travel is also a good choice, as you can take the Eurostar to Paris, then change to a TGV to Angoulême. Drivers will find the town very close to the N10/E606.
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Property prices and availability in and around Montlieu la Garde
Because it lies inland rather than directly on the Atlantic, property prices in Montlieu la Garde tend to be a little lower than those found in some of the town's near neighbours. It could be worth taking advantage of this, as the town is still close enough to the sea to offer many of the same benefits, and should prove a popular place for holiday rentals too, should you wish to do this.
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MONTLIEU LA GARDE AT A GLANCE |
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