What to see and do around Poitiers in the Vienne department?

Today I’m sharing another article about the beautiful Vienne department. In the first one, I told you all about my visit to Futuroscope, and today I’m taking you on a tour of the surroundings of Poitiers with, as usual, a little selection of things to do, see, eat, and experience, along with some great spots and personal favorites. In a third article, I’ll suggest a short city break in the Poitevin capital. A quick geographic reminder (it can always be useful…): the Vienne department is located in Poitou-Charentes, within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, in central-western France.

Large wading bird perched on a wooden railing, clear sky.

Table of Contents

Discovering the town of Chauvigny

I highly recommend taking a trip to the medieval city of Chauvigny, which is definitely worth a visit! This city boasts no less than 5 fortified castles located on the same promontory. It also features a maze of winding, cobbled streets that are delightful to walk through…

Panoramic view of the medieval city and the Château de Chauvigny in the Vienne.

Restaurant with terrace on a cobbled street in Chauvigny, Vienne.

Crowd in front of the Château de Chauvigny with a banner reading "Living with the gods".

The Giants of the Sky at the Château de Chauvigny

It was behind the walls of the Château des Évêques, on the heights of the charming town of Chauvigny, that I attended a falconry show. Plus, after the show, I recommend taking a walk through the aviaries to admire these birds up close.

On the program: vultures, eagles, owls, storks, parrots, and many other raptors that are presented by their trainers during this show, grazing you as they perform their feats in the air.

Ruins of the Château de Chauvigny near Poitiers in the Vienne.

Falconer presenting a raptor in flight at Chauvigny, Vienne.

Ruins of the medieval fortress of the Château de Chauvigny in the Vienne.

Falconer presenting an eagle in flight at the Château de Chauvigny, Vienne.

Red and blue macaws in an outdoor aviary near rocks in Chauvigny.

Bateleur eagle on a falconer's glove near the ruins of the Château de Chauvigny.

Kookaburra perched on a post in front of a stone wall, potential attraction.

Falconer with a barn owl in front of a stone wall in Chauvigny.

Peregrine falcon eating its prey near a stone wall and blue siding.

Warbler in flight, held by a falconer at the Château de Chauvigny.

Ruins of the Château de Chauvigny, tourist site in the Vienne.

Man feeding macaws during an animal show near Poitiers.

Château de Chauvigny
Find all show times on their website
Rates: adults 12 € / children (from 4 to 12 years old) 8 €
Show duration: 1 hour
Link to the show’s website

Spending an unusual night at Défi Planet

DéfiPlanet is very clearly a one-of-a-kind place. Created in 2008, the site, spread over 50 hectares including forests and ponds, is multifaceted. It offers more than 90 unusual accommodations, a nature park, a fun and educational space focused on preserving the planet, restaurants, a shop, and activities centered around sports (equestrian center, tree-climbing courses, archery, mountain biking, etc.), nature, and well-being (swimming pool area, spa, sauna, steam room, hair salon, chromotherapy).

Tested in 2015

Défi Planet
Domaine de Dienné 86410 Dienné
Open all year round, 7 days a week (annual closure in January) from 9 am to 7 pm
The park is located 25 minutes from Poitiers by car
Link to the venue’s website

The accommodations

I had the chance to spend a magical night in a treehouse. The houses are little cozy nests perched in the trees with all the necessary comfort, as they have electricity and running water (unlike the tree cabins, which also exist on the site), as well as a dining area (with refrigerator, oven, toaster, coffee maker, etc.). At night, you let yourself be rocked by the movement of the branches, which don’t make the house move too much (no worries, you won’t get seasick), though you will hear some creaking and groaning, like floorboards you’re walking on, but nothing too scary.

Regarding insects, I was very afraid of coming face-to-face with a nasty spider, but that wasn’t the case at all. Besides, the accommodations are very clean, and there are even insect sprays inside in case of an invasion! For large families or groups of friends, I recommend booking the Castle in the Branches (10-person capacity / €259 per night) or the Manor (also 10 people, with a spa on the terrace as a bonus / €279 per night). If you prefer to have your feet on the ground, you can also sleep in a gypsy caravan, a yurt, or a mushroom house (it feels like a Hobbit house), a snail, or even at the Farfadets’.

The little extra: in the morning, we hoist up from the top of our cabin the basket left for that purpose the day before to retrieve the breakfast dropped off that very morning by the site’s baker. So charming!

For lovers, the Carré d’étoiles (Star Square) allows you to spend a night in a cube topped with a transparent dome to admire the stars (a little idea to keep in mind for Valentine’s Day next year!). And if you really don’t want anything unusual, you can also fall back on the chalets, gîtes, or simply the campground.

Rates (price range):

Tree cabins from €124 / night for 4 people
Treehouses from €149 / night for 4 people
Gypsy caravans from €99 / night for 5 people
Farfadets’ House from €185 / night for 10 people
Mongolian yurts €74 / night for 4 people
Camping €21 / night for 2 people

Unusual accommodation shaped like a hen at the DéfiPlanet' Vienne Park

Shaded terrace with armchairs near an indoor pool and palm tree.

Indoor pool and lounge chairs near a leisure park in the Vienne.

Unusual treehouse near Poitiers, possibly Défi Planet.

Perched wooden cabin in a lush forest near Poitiers.

Interior of an unusual DéfiPlanet cabin with log railing and red decorations.

Treehouse with suspended walkway at DéfiPlanet near Poitiers, Vienne.

Interior of an unusual wooden Défi Planet cabin with red decorations.

Suspended basket near the wooden staircase of the unusual accommodation "Le Castillan".

Wicker basket on a wooden table on a forest terrace, unusual accommodation.

Unusual accommodations at the DéfiPlanet Park near Poitiers, Vienne.

Wooden castle-style treehouse at DéfiPlanet, Vienne.

Unusual wooden caravan or gypsy wagon for a night at Défi Planet in the Vienne.

Unusual yurts with picnic table at DéfiPlanet in the Vienne.

Unusual caravan-style accommodation with red terrace and picnic table.

Unusual caravan-style accommodation at Défi Planet Vienne with a sign saying "Snake Kook"

Unusual mushroom-shaped accommodations at the DéfiPlanet Park in the Vienne.

Unusual train-car style accommodation at DéfiPlanet, Vienne.

Lit wooden interior, staircase leading to a sleeping area under the roof decorated with floral patterns.

Great tips: Even if you aren’t staying at DéfiPlanet, the site is accessible for free, especially the outdoor play areas for children. If you’re in the area, don’t hesitate to take a detour, if only to picnic or enjoy the hiking trails. Another great tip for the connected blogger that I am: there is free Wi-Fi access in part of the site.

Dining options

The Bien-être Restaurant

Another attraction of the place is the Bien-être restaurant, which is worth the trip all on its own, such is the remarkable quality of the chef’s cuisine. In good weather, you can also enjoy the establishment’s magnificent shaded terrace to savor “homemade” dishes made from fresh, local produce.

To taste:

Escargot pastry with parsley cream as a starter.
Cod loin marinated in mandarin juice and fresh rosemary, rolled in Parma ham with Sichuan pepper as a main course.
Poitou lamb Tatin-style with the scent of Madagascar vanilla; a must-try dish, a delight, it melts in your mouth…
Duck breast from Milleret, just perfectly seared, with a reduction of veal jus scented with madeleine.
Chocolate terrine with broyé du Poitou (a small dry biscuit typical of the region).
Vacherin with honey and spices, prune soup.
Chocolate delight, salted butter caramel.

I’ll take this opportunity to suggest accompanying your meal with a local wine (Loire Valley) from the Domaine de Villemont.

Price: Bien Être Menu at €25 (starter + main + dessert) / Défi Planet Menu at €33 (starter + main + dessert)

Restaurant terrace with set table in front of a wooden building.

Table set outside under a tree, wooden terrace, natural setting.

Escargots in creamy sauce with salad on a white plate.

Meat dish with sauce, sautéed vegetables, and fruits on a white square plate.

Table set on the terrace under the trees, restaurant atmosphere in the Vienne.

Outdoor terrace with wicker tables and chairs near a wooden building.

Duck breast with brown sauce and seasonal vegetables in Lavausseau.

Shaded wooden terrace with tables set for the restaurant around Poitiers.

Chocolate dessert with white heart, caramel sauce, and cocoa powder on a plate.

Dessert with vanilla ice cream, dark berries, and mint leaf on a white plate.

The Snack Bar

If you’re not looking for sophistication, you can also head to the snack bar (located behind the main reception) and try, for example, a local beer from the Brasserie de Bellefois or local fruit juices… La plancha des Farfadets (convivial table d’hôtes) and soon the Chaudron des Farfadets complete the on-site dining options.

Glass of beer on an outdoor table near a wooden railing in the countryside.

Artisanal Gargouille apple, lemon, and raspberry juice near Poitiers.

The DéfiPlanet’ Park

The DéfiPlanet’ Park offers a 25-hectare course for awareness and education about the environment and sustainable development, aimed at children. This leisure park offers the chance to discover these themes through 5 world villages, as well as along a forest path via information panels, interactive kiosks, and videos. This course (allow 3 hours with the family) is truly ideal for children, as they will discover many animals from around the world, places with immersive experiences, and a passage in the treetops with a 150-meter-long canopy walk.

Rates: €13 for adults / €8 for children / free for children under 5

Good tip: for those who might be worried, there are restrooms along the path…

Red coat-of-arms flag of a floating castle near Chauvigny or Défi Planet.

Tree decorated with suspended cocoons in the forest near Poitiers.

Playground and animal enclosures at Défi Planet, Vienne.

Dark bovine with impressive horns in a meadow near Chauvigny.

Black and white dwarf rabbits eating on straw, perhaps at Défi Planet.

Suspended bridge high above the trees, possible activity at Défi Planet.

Desert outdoor scene with wooden well, jars, and small structure with thatched roof.

Outdoor information panel near a bench, with palm trees and vegetation.

Visiting the city of Lavausseau

The village of Lavausseau, located 25 km from Poitiers, houses the only tannery in France still in operation. In comparison, the department had 55 of them just 100 years ago.

Garden with purple clematis in front of an old stone facade.

Green railing with flower boxes above a stream in Chauvigny.

Banner "Rencontres des histoires de cuir", geraniums, and fence in Lavausseau.

Ancient stone building with large doors under the blue sky, Vienne.

Round stone turret and facade of an old building in Chauvigny, Vienne.

Interior of Château Chauvigny: chandelier, fireplace, table, and old chairs.

The Cité des Tanneurs in Lavausseau

This heritage is well showcased within the Cité des Tanneurs, in an architectural complex of over 300 m2, which offers a permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions, an educational workshop, and a shop. Inside this venue, you can discover the work of leather and hides, an ancient specialty of the region.

I recommend doing the full tour of the site, which includes visiting the last tannery in France and visiting the Commanderie des Hospitaliers (Historic Monument) of Saint-Jean-de-Jérusalem (current Order of Malta), a building dating back to the 14th century. You will notably discover the magnificent wooden framework of the building, which remains very well preserved.

Yellow sign Historires de Cuirs Tannerie de la Boivre in Lavausseau.

Exhibition Cité des Tanneurs Chauvigny: old tools and register.

Exhibition of hides, leather, and historical documents Cité des Tanneurs Lavausseau.

Old tannery machine at the Cité des Tanneurs in Lavausseau, hides on display.

Black and white cowhides stacked in a workshop at the Cité des Tanneurs.

Great tip: the shop (leather crafts, leather goods, local products, hides tanned in Lavausseau, etc.) and the permanent exhibition on the theme of leather are free and open access.

Cité des Tanneurs
7 grand’rue 86470 Lavausseau
Open from March 15 to November 15, closed on Mondays. Tuesday to Friday 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 5 pm / Saturday and Sunday 2 pm – 5 pm
Duration: 1 hour 30 min / Tuesday to Sunday at 3 pm.
Rates: adults €6.50 / Children €4.50 / free for those under 7
Leather workshop for children (duration 1h): €5

The Atelier Ronde de Cuir

You will notably find the very beautiful leather creations of Nathalie Marty, Atelier Ronde de Cuir, who manufactures her products and sells them directly at the Cité des Tanneurs. So if you want to buy a local gift, you know where to go.

Leather items: bags, belts, bow ties, and accessories displayed in the shop.

Yellow leather purse with pearl pendant, Lavausseau craftsmanship.

Colorful leather wallets and accessories from the Atelier Ronde de Cuir in Lavausseau.

Flowery green leather wallet and artisanal accessories presented in Lavausseau.

Where to eat in Lavausseau? A Fleur de Peau

A great spot in the area, if you’re spending the day in Lavausseau, don’t hesitate to go have lunch in the shade of the umbrellas on the charming terrace by the water at the A Fleur de Peau restaurant, right opposite the Cité des Tanneurs.

Shaded restaurant terrace with wicker tables and chairs near Poitiers, Vienne.

Table set on the terrace with a planter containing bamboo and cosmos.

Restaurant A fleur de peau
1 Grand Rue, 86470 Lavausseau
Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and Thursday to Saturday for dinner

Ruins of the Fortress of Angles-sur-l’Anglin in Vienne.

Find all my travel articles below:
⇒ All my articles on Nouvelle-Aquitaine
⇒ All my articles on the Vienne department

MY ARTICLES ON THE VIENNE
⇒ City guide in Poitiers
⇒ The Vienne, well-being and gourmet
⇒ Unusual Vienne
⇒ Nature and animal-focused Vienne
⇒ Cultural Vienne
⇒ Futuroscope

Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan
Photos are not royalty-free; permission from the photographer is mandatory before any use

Poitiers Vienna 86 Vienne