Melle is a small town of approximately 4000 inhabitants, located in the  south-east corner of the Deux-Sèvres département, within the Poitou-Charentes region. It is a town steeped in history with much for visitors to see and do. The silver mines, founded in the reign of Charlemagne, are a very popular  attraction; as are Melle’s three beautiful churches, constructed in the Romanesque style during the 11th and 12th centuries; the Church of Saint-Hilaire is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A great way of exploring the town of Melle is to follow the Chemin de la Découverte, a trail which runs along an old railway line, and is surrounded by hundreds of different types of trees which form an amazing Arboretum.

• Niort (30 min by car): Large city with wide range of shops, cafes and other amenities; it hosts regular concerts and art events during the summer months.
• Marais Poitevin (40 min): Stunning area of natural marshland, the largest on the Atlantic coast, criss-crossed by hundreds of small canals and waterways, which you can explore by hiring a traditional barque – great for punting and picnics.
• Poitiers (1hr): Capital of the Poitou-Charente  region, in addition to having many shops, cafes and restaurants,  there are many famous buildings in the Romanesque style, plus the oldest church in France, Baptistère Saint-Jean. The  Futuroscope (1hr): Cinema and audio-visual technology theme park, attracting 1.8 million visitors a year.
• Cognac (1hr15min): A town synonymous with the brandy; there are almost 200 producers in  the area and many, such as Hennessy, Remy Martin and Corvoisier, run guided tours of their distilleries.
• La Rochelle (1hr15min): Visit the majestic Vieux  Port (Old Harbour), lined with cafes and seafood restaurants, stroll along the ancient city walls and explore the old centre. There is also a world famous aquarium. From La Rochelle one can drive or take a boat to the beautiful Île de Ré.