What can I do?

Non painters are not ignored at Sainte Croix and are very welcome to join our 'informal houseparty' supporting their spouse, partner or friend who will be creating 'That Special Masterpiece'!

Two boats are available on the river Anglin a very short walk from the front door of Sainte Croix.  Watch the kingfishers, buzzards and herons (including the purple heron).  For the past few years, we have had our own Barn Owl nesting and feeding its young in the Abbey Church of Sainte Croix which can be seen from two bedrooms in Sainte Croix house. 

Maybe bring your fishing rod, a short period fishing permit is available in the village.

We have something new to offer this year.  Buy a 'Booklet of Mysteries' from us and follow a journey through the history of Angles.  It is a pleasant walk - and fun.  It can be done in either English or French.

Numerous walks are at hand from your doorstep including the river valley both upstream to 'The devils valley' and 'The Cooking pot'  or downstream to 'Remerle' with its weir, springs and paddling rapids.  The prehistoric cave site is also downstream where wonderful cave sculptures dating from  15000 BC have been discovered.  A visitor centre is scheduled to open in the village for Easter 2008.

Walking in the area is a pure delight with woods, meadows, lost sunken medieval lanes, cliffs, caves or around the village with its Medieval chateau, old pathways, snickets, viewpoints and village square.

In the village, as well as the cafes, you will find a wood sculptor, a new bookshop and two workshops producing the world famous 'Jour d'Angles' - fine cut drawn threadwork.  Linen crafted in the village was one of the gifts from the French nation for the wedding of the current Queen of England.  The previous French Prime Minister, who comes from the area, gave gifts of 'Jours' made in the village to the wives of visiting dignitaries to his office in Paris.

Those of you with a car have an enormous choice of places to go and things to see.  Have a look at our Region section.  An 18 hole Golf course is available at the small spa town of La Roche Posay together with a Casino and horse race track.  The church at Saint Savin, with its wonderful medieval wall paintings is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The Brenne Parc Regional is one of France's  main bird watching areas with over 250 species seen each year of which over 150 species nest

As you can see, there is plenty to do for the active non painter.  However, many visitors just sun themselves by the pool, maybe reading a book or just relaxing.