LOCAL FACILITIES

Supermarkets

For the majority of your needs, there is a Super U supermarket by the roundabout on the way in to La Tranche. It does get extremely busy at times. Be prepared to leave it and return when the rush is over. Early doors is best . There is also a fishmonger, launderette/dry cleaner, newsagent and a petrol station. There is a baker but we would rather recommend the one in the town center. More serious shopping needs a trip to La Roche Sur Yon where you will find a "Leclerc" supermarket. It very nearly warrants a trip out in itself. Further in to La Roche you will find on your left an Electromenager. They fix car electrics principally but appear to sort most car related problems. French mechanics appear to be much more resourceful than their British counterparts and will often fix things rather than replace them.

At Jard, on the left just past the church is another Unico. It is often very quiet. They seem to cater for a more sophisticated taste in wine. It is worth having a look in the "wooden" wine rack as opposed to the wire cages or open shelves.

Most of the local supermarkets now stay open all day, most shops observe the traditional siesta, as do the banks.

Banks are a law unto themselves, at least where opening times are concerned. They will generally cash Eurocheques on production of a Euro cheque card and passport, but Eurocheques are soon to be phased out. Ordinary cheques cards are not usually accepted. The best and most convenient way to obtain cash is from the "hole in the Wall" cash machines. Most of these machines recognise the country of origin of the bit of plastic. Those that don’t present you with a "select language" menu, as soon as you put your card in. We use Barclaycard and the PIN number that you no doubt have forgotten. They charge a handling charge of 1.5%, but you get the "Average Market Spot Rate" of exchange (Teletext page 532 Ch 4) which is usually 2-3% better than the tourist rate, everybody's happy. In smaller towns, some of these machines are French only. Get it wrong, or if you are not quick enough, there is always the chance that it will retain your card. Hopefully it will just spit it out. You will of course get a message that is polite and cordial. Not a bad idea to have an alternative card.

I would not bother with Travelers Cheques. The electronic revolution, has probably been the biggest shake up in banking since the invention of money and the French have gone for it in a big way. Your credit card is as good as cash. It is certainly more convenient and generally more acceptable than cheques.

For obvious reasons, the phone in the house will not make outgoing calls, unless you have France Telecom Carte Globeo. Whilst very convenient, they are expensive. If you really need one, telephone 0800 897955. This will get France Telecom in Paris and they will be happy to arrange a card for you. Allow two to three weeks. Telephone kiosks can try your patience! If you try the ones that take coins make sure you have a good supply of change. Not all kiosks offer external service but those that do are good. Start with small denomination coins, i.e. one Franc, as if you mis-dial, you will lose your money. Suggest that you write out the full number before you start to dial. Dial 00, wait for dialing tone, then 44, followed by the full STD code omitting the first "0". e.g. our home number 01260 274597 now becomes 00 44 1260 274597. Best of all buy a phone card. Available from bars, tabacs, or any post office. They work the same as the ones over here. The nearest phone, up by the Gendarmerie takes phone cards for International calls.

Radio is probably the best way for newsaholics to stave off withdrawal symptoms. Remember Auntie? Long wave if you have it will generally offer a reasonable service. Radio Luxembourg sadly is no more. Local FM stations abound. Probably best, certainly the strongest is "Energy" which offers an unusual mix of pop, chart and oldies, on a commercial basis. Many of the adverts are in American. If you are thinking of taking a portable TV then I'll save you the trouble. Without going into all that technical stuff, I can tell you it will not work. If you can tune in to any sort of signal and get the picture to lock up ( it will only be in black and white) you will not get any sound.

Go to the market square, turn right at the lights, and on your right you will find a newsagent. British newspapers are available in limited quantities, at least the more serious ones, and are a day old. They are expensive, typically 10Ff. If in doubt, the prices are published on the front page.

Holiday information

This area is the third highest in French sunshine stakes! Their words.

The weather is good from April to September, can be good in October, 2400 hours of sunshine a year!

There is a small collection of brochures in the sideboard, please expand.

On the beaches, there is wind-surfing, sailing, surfboarding or just plain messing about. The nearest beach, Plage des Generelles, 5 mins. walk from the house is quiet with some good waves for smaller children. The beach at La Tranche itself is busier but with separate areas for bathing, sailing and windsurfing. You need an up-to-date tides timetable to get the best waves to surfboard - believe us this is important! Available from the information center.

There are many other good beaches within a 5-10 minute drive away. To the North La Terriere and Le Rocher are good, busy only in high season i.e. first two weeks in August - but explore the options - Longeville beach is quiet even in high season if you want to just paddle and make sandcastles. The beach at La Tranche has a Blue Riband award for unpolluted beaches. Dress code is very informal. If you are seeking to sunbathe "au naturelle", and free from artificial additives, then La Terriere probably offers the greatest opportunity. Turn to the right as you go down to the beach and you will find the textiles just fade away. In 1996 the local authority hit on the idea of erecting a sign "NATURISME INTERDIT" beyond this point. It certainly abolished any uncertainty about what is considered acceptable and what is not. I thought it might be fun to cause confusion and turn the sign round, but it seems that I was not alone. The post has now been set in concrete.

In La Tranche there is an extraordinary exhibition park / garden, Les Floralies, which is a firm favourite with the older generation. The Market is also well worth a visit.

Golf course at Nesmy, on the road to La Roche Sur Yon, has a problem in the publicity department like we know it's there but that's all. There is also a working pottery.

Puy De Fou, north of La Roche Sur Yon is an open air spectacular; re-enactments of scenes from the Revolution, starting at 20.30hrs. and going on to midnight or so. Then you have a problem finding your car again in a muddy field, and negotiating narrow French country lanes in the dark with about six million other multinationals. I am reliably informed that the performance, son et lumiere, and pyrotechnics are quite something else. There is also a theme park, with a fifteen kilometer steam railway.

La Rochelle - historic French port - well worth a visit. This is also the nearest place to get scuba diving bottles refilled. There is a marina with the flashiest of boats, plus a historic town, all within walking distance. The harbour has a number of excellent restaurants overlooking it.

Le Marais Vert - network of inland canals - 1 hr's drive, built by the Dutch in fifteen hundred and something. Absolutely enchanting. Hire a punt for the afternoon, with or without a man who knows where he's going - a punter?!

Poitiers - Futurscope - Theme Park. details in the sideboard drawer. THIS IS AT LEAST A THREE DAY EVENT and probably best left to a visit for that purpose. It is extremely good!! Every aspect of Kinematography is covered on a huge theme park. Totally French with a hint of American.

L'Aiguillon - Water shute etc, for the kids.

Excursions to La Rochelle, Ile de Aix and Ile de Re go from the pier at La Tranche. You can also drive to the Ile de Re over the bridge 3k long - toll?

The fishing port of Jard, farther up the coast is worth a visit, as is St Giles Croix de Vie.

Saumur on the Loire, is a fair way to go, but well worth it (possibly on the way home?) The Chateau houses three museums, is undergoing extensive restoration and does tours in English.

There is also, somewhere near, a Nature Reserve, but we don't have any details.

Les Sables d'Olonne, 38km up the coast, beautiful beach but popular, interesting old part of town, some lovely churches, plus shops.- a good day out. Curious mixture of cultures old and new, ranging from Ye Olde, to a sort of cross between Cannes and Blackpool with the odd hint of Stockport.

Information can be obtained from the Tourist bureau in the Place de la Liberte in La Tranche, please pick up spares for the holiday pack!

Locally, there is a Wave school with a marina where children aged six to sixty can learn to surfboard safely, out of the way of the people who can! There is a cinema, innumerable street cafes/bars, and at least 1 disco, a zoo, karting, mini golf and tennis.

Local fetes are advertised by air over the beach as are other events. Watch the display board on your right as you walk into town for forthcoming events. Fireworks on Napoleon's birthday and the likes.

We have only sampled a few restaurants. "La Nautile", within walking distance, is very good, seafood bias, as have all eating establishments along this stretch of coast! We would be grateful for your comments on other discoveries, please use the noticeboard. Inland, at Avrille, the Dinanderie, 10 Avenue de la Rochelle (Tel no 51 22 32 15) is very expensive but we really liked it - see what you think.

A bal-trap is a clay pigeon shoot!

A fete folklorique is a folk festival where amongst other things, they throw quoits at live ducks and if you get one, you take it home alive, or wring its neck there and then - a cultural experience maybe, but perhaps not for the kids.