Holidays in Poitou-Charentes – peace, nature and comfort in Les Forges

Luxury villas and holiday homes in Les Forges

The FranceComfort holiday parks are located in the quiet village of
Les Forges, near Niort and Poitiers. Here you will stay in a spacious villa or modern holiday home on large plots, surrounded by trees and gardens, giving you plenty of privacy.

You can choose from:

• 4-person holiday homes – cosy and stylishly furnished, ideal for couples;
• 6-person holiday apartments – spacious and comfortable for larger families;
• 8-person villas – perfect for a family holiday in Poitou-Charentes for two families;
• Luxury villas with private pool – for those who like to have plenty of space and spend quality time with their partner and family.

Depending on the park, there is a large swimming pool, tennis court, playground, jeu de boules, football field and Dutch-speaking management. The parks are located near the golf course of Les Forges. At Les Forges, you can combine the comforts of home with the charm of France.

At the end of the day, when the sun slowly sets over the rolling fields, guests sit on the terrace with a glass of Pineau des Charentes. The smell of flowers and barbecue hangs in the air, crickets sing in the distance.
It is that quiet, warm feeling that makes a holiday home in France with a pool so special.

The 3 FranceComfort parks in Les Forges

In the heart of the Poitou-Charentes, between Poitiers and Niort, you will find three lively FranceComfort holiday parks. Although each park has its own character, they share the same characteristics: peace, nature, comfort and a warm welcome from the Dutch-speaking managers.

Domaine Les Forges is a spacious park with modern villas and all amenities for a relaxing stay. You will find a large swimming pool, a playground, a pétanque court and entertainment for children in summer. The park is ideal for families and couples who like to enjoy space and comfort in a quiet environment.
More about Domaine les Forges

Aveneau – Vieille Vigne offers stylish villas with spacious gardens and lots of privacy. From the park, you can walk straight into nature or hit a ball on the green. The relaxed atmosphere and the view over the rolling landscape make this park popular with peace seekers and active travellers. 
More about Aveneau-Vieille Vigne

Bourg Est – Vigelière has a small-scale, friendly set-up. Thanks to the friendly atmosphere and the clear layout, families with children quickly feel at home here.
More about Bourg Est-Vigelière

In every holiday park in Les Forges you will find the same quality and hospitality that FranceComfort is known for. The Dutch-speaking managers will make you feel welcome right away and are happy to help you with tips on places of interest, markets and excursions in Poitou-Charentes.

Walking, cycling and freedom

The Poitou-Charentes is a dream for hikers and cyclists. Small roads wind their way through forests, rivers and fields full of poppies and sunflowers. Well-known routes are the following:

• Vélo Francette – a long-distance cycle route from Normandy to La Rochelle, which runs close to Les Forges.
• Around Melle and Niort – hilly landscape with panoramic views.
• Plaine de Gâtine – rural roads through meadows and forests.

You see it a lot in the area: a family cycling through the rolling countryside. They are truly enjoying their surroundings to the fullest. After a few kilometres they stop at a village for croissants and orange juice. Back at their holiday home in the Poitou-Charentes, they dive into the pool.
That's what freedom feels like.

Hikers will also find their happiness here. In the Marais Poitevin Natural Park you can walk over wooden decking between reeds and water. Herons take off, kingfishers skim by. A day outside always ends well with a glass of wine on the terrace of your luxury villa in Les Forges.

Canoeing in Marais Poitevin "The Green Venice"

Those who love peace and quiet will find pure magic in the Marais Poitevin. From villages like Coulon, Arçais and Damvix you can hire electric boats to sail through the waterways. The air smells of aquatic plants and willows, the only sound is the rhythm of your paddle. From your holiday home in France in the middle of nature you can easily reach the Parc Naturel Régional du Marais Poitevin – a labyrinth of canals and green banks that is rightly also known as Green Venice.
You will pass bridges, old farms and picnic areas. Along the way, you can have lunch at a small inn or drink coffee on a terrace in Niort. For families, it's a relaxing getaway; Nature lovers enjoy the silence and the interplay of light and water. At the end of the day, you will return to Les Forges. The sun is sinking, the sky is turning orange. You dine outside, look at the stars and think: this is why a holiday home in France is so special.

Travelers who stay here often say that they are touched by the nature, the peace and realness of this region:
"We felt as if time stood still here. Nature and culture during the day, calmness on the terrace in the evening – exactly what we were looking for." – De Vos family, 2024 

Poitiers – city of light

The historic city of Poitiers is one of the oldest cities in France, combining medieval splendour with a vibrant, modern atmosphere. Notre-Dame-la-Grande is the symbol of the city: its richly decorated façade comes alive at night during the light projections that tell the story of Poitiers. Wander through the narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, discover small boutiques and soak up the French atmosphere on the Place Charles-de-Gaulle. For holidaymakers, Poitiers is perfect for a day full of culture, shopping and French conviviality.

Niort – by the river

The city of Niort is located by the river Sèvre Niortaise and forms the gateway to the beautiful Marais Poitevin, the "Green Venice" of France. The imposing Donjon de Niort, once built by the Plantagenets, towers above the town and offers a magnificent view over the rooftops and the river. In the historic center you will find charming shops, squares with cafes and an indoor Market Hall which is one of the most beautiful in western France. In summer, Niort is buzzing with activity, night markets, open-air concerts, food festivals and river cruises.

Parthenay – medieval town full of charm

The fortified town of Parthenay is one of the most beautiful towns in the Deux-Sèvres. The old center is perched high on a rocky outcrop above the Thouet River with cobbled streets, city walls and ancient gates such as the Porte Saint-Jacques, once part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. You will see craft shops, small galleries and artists' workshops. In the summer markets, buskers and exhibitions are held in Parthenay. Every year, the Festival Ludique International de Parthenay (FLIP) is one of the largest games and street events in France. On the squares you will find cozy cafes and bistros where you can have lunch with a view of the medieval houses.

Melle and Saint-Savin

In Melle, you will discover Romanesque churches and old silver mines. Further east lies Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Abbey – famous for frescoes dating back to the 11th century. Along the route, you will also find castles such as Château de Coudray-Salbart and Château de Parthenay – silent witnesses to the history of this region.

Local food and markets

When you think of a holiday in France, you think of food. In the Poitou-Charentes, a lot of attention is also paid to the meals. Markets in Niort, Melle or Saint-Maixent-l'École display goat cheeses, melons, honey and fragrant herbs. Niort's market hall is a must-see: cast-iron arches, colourful stalls, and the buzz of French conversations.

You buy a basket full of local delicacies and turn it into a dinner in your holiday home with swimming pool in France. Or you can sit down at the restaurant near the park, where regional dishes are served with a good glass of Pineau des Charentes.

Recommendations for foodies:

• Chabichou du Poitou – creamy goat cheese, soft and full of flavour.
• Farci Poitevin – a traditional vegetable dish with bacon.
• Haut-Poitou wines – fresh white and light red wines.   
• Cognac and Pineau des Charentes – pride of the region.
• Marchés Gourmands – night markets with live music and local cuisine  

In the summer months, the air is filled with the scent of barbecue and lavender. Glasses clink on the terraces of Poitiers and Parthenay,
children play in the street, and it feels like life is taking place nowhere else but here.

Weather in Poitou-Charentes

The Poitou-Charentes is one of the sunniest regions in western France. Thanks to its location between the Atlantic coast and the inland of the region, there is a mild maritime climate: lots of sunshine, few extreme temperatures and pleasant weather all year round. With an average of
more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, the region is almost as sunny as the Vendée, but with a slightly quieter climate. Summers are warm but not too hot: temperatures are usually between 25 and 30 °C, ideal for hiking, cycling or relaxing by the pool. At night it cools down pleasantly, so you can sleep soundly in your holiday home in Les Forges. For more information see meteofrance.com.

Family activities and day trips

The Poitou-Charentes is ideal for families. From the holiday parks in Les Forges in Poitou-Charentes, there are countless excursions to be made — from adventure to relaxation.

Futuroscope – fantasy and technology

Poitiers is home to the Futuroscope Park, where you can fly through the air in 4D, experience adventures with robots and see films that seem to become reality.

Puy du Fou – a show for young and old

In just over an hour's drive, you can reach Puy du Fou, repeatedly voted the most beautiful theme park in Europe. Knights, Vikings and Roman chariots come to life in shows that leave children and parents speechless for a moment.

Zoodyssee and Parc Aventure 79

If you love animals, visit Zoodyssee near Chizé, a park full of European animal species in their natural environment. Adventurers can have fun in Parc Aventure 79, a treetop adventure park with courses for all ages.

Recreational lakes

The region has beautiful lakes where families can swim or picnic:

• Lac du Lambon – with playground and sunbathing area.
• Lac de Saint-Cyr – large lake with a beach, restaurant and water sports.
• Lac de Cébron  – quiet and natural.  
• Lac de Verruyes – manageable and child-friendly.

Many families appreciate the tranquillity of this area. As one of our guests wrote:

"We wanted a family holiday without crowds of tourists. Les Forges was perfect. Quiet, safe, and yet plenty to do for the children." – Van Dijk family, 2024