Little Dissay with its château seems timeless and undisturbed.

Futuroscope & Vienne Corridor.

Two towns and rural hamlets, vineyards, forests and fields.

This area has a very distinctive character - otherwise one might certainly think it too small to be allowed to stand alone. Poitiers and Châtellerault are no more than about 20 miles apart and the communities in between must always have been attractive for those who cherished both country living and easy access to major conurbations. Such considerations have been accentuated by a motorway that not only passes Poitiers Airport but which also gives one an easy run north to Tours, its airport and the attractions of the Loire Valley. The same factors must have been instrumental in the decision to site the Futuroscope Theme Park (with motorway and TGV links) in the district. If all that seems like an excess of modern conveniences one should never forget that there are unspoiled hamlets, vineyards, forests and fields within a few moments of any urbanisation.

FOR SALE at 265,000 Euros. A typical 'Poitevine' house among the local vineyards. For full details click on the A2B advert link on the 'Vienne' Département page or the 'Poitiers' or 'Civray' Area page.

A chain of villages to cherish.

In the south Buxerolles was once doubtless a rural village but is now more of a suburb to Poitiers. Chasseneuil-du-Poitou and Jauny-Clan on either side of the Fururoscope Park seem somewhat dominated by the imaginative newcomer. St Georges-des-Baillargeaux and Dissay distance themselves slightly to the east of the high road and its commercial development. Beaumont is convenient for the St Cyr watersports and leisure activities centre while Naintre, just free of Châtellerault southern sprawl, has almost a private access to the motorway.

Imaginative journeys in diverse dimensions.

Futuroscope itself seems unlikely to hold much sway with those seeking principal residences in this part of France - although the presence of a major attraction might have relevance for anyone proposing to let rooms or cottages. Nevertheless it's not possible to ignore this conception of the Départmental council in the 1980's. Somehow one feels that it suffers from a lack of a positive identity being neither an exhibition centre or an out-and-out theme park - and yet it is both. Claimed to be a celebration of the moving image most of the experiences offered are imaginative journeys where the cinematic presentation - with 3D effects, huge screens or other technology - move about you. Some seats are programmed to roll and pitch and all in all the experience is realistic (sometimes horribly so!).

Getting to grips with wind-surfing at St Cyr.

Flora and fauna in forest glades.

The thoroughfares, the villages and any development that surrounds them run along the valley of the Clain between the two principal towns. To the east, in an almost startling contrast, one finds huge areas of seemingly undisturbed forest - although they are managed for conservation and as a leisure resource. The Réserve Naturelle du Pinail, a reserve for flora and fauna, is based around old quarries which once provided and fashioned millstones. The much larger Forêt de Moulière is criss-crossed by many by-roads and there are numerous trails for walkers, cyclists and horse riding. Those seeking even more energetic pastimes may prefer to investigate the provisions available at the previously mentioned St Cyr centre.