TOURIST OFFICES :

LA CHARENTE – Angouleme
www.lacharente.com
INTERCOMMUNAL 3B SUD CHARENTE
www.ot3b.com
PAYS D’AUBETERRE
http://aubeterresurdronne.free.fr
COGNAC TOURIST OFFICE
www.tourism-cognac.com
BORDEAUX TOURIST OFFICE
www.bordeaux-tourisme.com
“ANGOULEME
www.tourisme.fr/tourist-office/angouleme

INTERESTING VISITS

BROSSAC
http://cirsc.free.fr/
COGNAC TOURS
www.cognacetapes.com
REMY MARTIN
www.remy.com
LA COGNATHEQUE
www.cognatheque.com
HINE COGNAC
www.hinecognac.com
COURVOISIER COGNAC
www.courvoisier.com
MUSEE DES ARTS DU COGNAC
www.musees-cognac.fr

CAMPING SITES

AUBETERRE – search services
http://aubeterresurdronne.free.fr
COGNAC
www.campingdecognac.com

ACCOMMODATION

Holiday lettings in France – Book through HolidayLettings.co.uk

AUBETERRE la ferrier St. Severin 16
www.gite-holiday.com
BROSSAC
www.etang-vallier.com
CITOTEL LE CHEVAL BLANC- COGNAC – 16
www.hotel-chevalblanc.fr
LES BALCONS DE LA SEUGNE – PONS – 17
www.balcons-de-la-seugne.com
HOSTILLERIE DU MAINE BRUN – 16
www.hotel-maine-brun.com
LA PALOMA HOTEL – VERTEUIL-SUR-CHARENTE – 16
www.lapaloma-verteuil.eu
HOTEL KARINA- JARNAC – 16
www.hotelkarina.net
LE ROUSSELET – SAINT-BONNET-SUR GIRONDE – 17
http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/marviniere
DOMAINE HARMONIE NATURE – SOUBRAN – 17
www.domaine-harmonie-nature.com
BEAUREGARD – NEUVICQ – 17
http://chambredhotecegoupil.monsite.wanadoo.fr
CHRISTIAN BERG – LA GORCE – 17
http://lesamisdelagorce.listoo.biz
CHEZ BOUTON – YVIERS – 16
www.chezbouton.com
CHEZ TILLARD – YVIERS – 16
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/gitesdessources
LA BROUSSE – SAINT-SEVERIN – 16
www.zenithvacances.com
« AU BOIS JOLI » BUSSAC-FORET – 17
http://auboisjoli.net
LE CHAI DES LUMAS – JONZAC – 17
www.lechaideslumas.fr
CHEZ ANNE – ST-MEME-LES-CARRIERES –16
www.chez-anne.net
LA VIEILLE DISTILLERIE – LE TATRE – 16
www.lavieilledistillerie.com
LE RELAIS DE SAINT PREUIL – 16
www.relais-de-saint-preuil.com
LES QUATRE VENTS – CHERAC – 17
micandre@orange.fr
LA GIRAUDIERE – BROSSAC – 16
www.lagiraudiere.com
POOLSIDE GITE – BROSSAC- 16
www.sunny-charente.com
DOMAINE LES GALARDS MONTLIEU le GARDE – 17
www.lesgalards.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

ATELIER P.M. PHOTOGRAHIE – BARBEZIEUX- 16
atepm@hotmail.fr

TRANSPORT

Brittany Ferries
www.brittany-ferries.com
LD Lines
www.ldlines.com
Ryanair
www.ryanair.com
Easyjet
www.easyjet.com
Flybe
www.flybe.com

INFORMATION

French Entree
www.frenchentree.com
French News
www.french-news.com
Living in Poitou-Charentes
www.livingpoitoucharentes.com
France on your Own
www.franceonyourown.com

History

Llamas are small camelids with ancestors that originated in the the Prairies of North America about 40 million years ago, some migrated over the land bridge we now call the Bering Strait to Asia, where they developed into the llamas’ half cousins the camel and dromedary. Others migrated south to the Andes, where they evolved into the llamas who we know today. Three other species of small camelids – the alpaca, guanaco, and vicuna – evolved in their native South America and are cousins to the llama.

Llamas are adaptable to varying habitats, from sea level to 15,000 ft in elevation and thrive in cold temperatures and extreme weather.

It is claimed that Man tamed and befriended llamas 6500 years ago, making them the 2nd oldest domesticated animal after dogs. The llamas were integral to life in those remote places and still provide transport, clothes, food and heat.

The family of small camelids are generally known as Llamas contain 4 different species.

• The 2 domesticated species the Llama and the Alpaca, both of which have 2 sub- species: Classic & Woolly llamas and Suris & Huacayas alpacas.

• There are 2 protected wild species the guanacos and the vicunas.

Apart from Zoos & Circuses, llamas are recent newcomers to France, the first breeding troop started just over 20 years ago.

There are now over 2000 Llamas registered at the Bergerie Nationale at Rambouillet in France.

Three Common questions

1. Do they spit? Yes, but normally only between themselves and often associated with food. It is a matter of dominance.
2. Can you ride them? No, an adult llama can only carry 40kgs.
3. Can you eat them? It depends on where you are; in South America llama meat is a standard part of the diet of those in the area where they are bred. In France it is illegal as the animals are classed as domestic like a cat or dog.

During your trek or encounter we can provide you with even more interesting information about llamas.

Beléteau based Llamas Trekking

The most popular llama trek lasts 3 hours and covers between 6 and 9 kms; other treks range from 1 hour to a full day*. The duration and distance not only varies with the terrain and weather, but also with what you like. Give us a call or e-mail us to discuss your requirements; we try to match the trek with our clients’ ability, interests and the weather conditions.

In the summer months, treks take place in the mornings. The
footpaths, including the nationally registered GR36, traverse a variety of landscapes with different flora, geology and views.

Treks commence with an introduction to the animals, followed by instructions on how to handle them. Safety instructions and a trial
walk confirm the group’s readiness for the trek. Walking is broken with several rest stops for the Llamas as well as the walkers.

On returning to base you can be served a ‘Menu du Jour’** and have as much time as you wish to interact with your new friend – Llama. The maximum group size is 12 people.

For the serious trekkers, who wish a full day 15-25kms trek, either the trek will loop round to Chez Beleteau for a ‘Menu du Jour’ or a picnic is included en-route.

Away trekking

Should you wish to trek in a different area to Brossac, you can still walk with our llamas.

Within reason we can transport some of our llamas to a location of your choice. The onus is on you to check that the footpaths are legal rights of way or the landowner has given permission to cross their land with llamas.

Llama Encounter

Especially for the smaller children (who would find a full trek too much) a Llama Encounter is recommended. Over an hour or so the children (and adults ) can get up close and friendly with our llamas, feeding them granules and the real treat – carrots (count your thumbs after!)
A great photo opportunity is created as the little ones are surrounded by these gentle creatures. These encounters normally take place around 16.00 hours and cost 6 euros p.p.

Special Llamas Events

Why not spend a special time with us? We can organise such events as:

• Birthday celebrations
• Anniversaries, Mother’s Day, etc.
• Wednesday afternoon child & parent visits (Goutée)
• Association/Company outings/incentives

• Away day for groups eg. Golfing Society
• Company Teambuilding/ Brain storming
• Break from the coast!
• Hen Party event (not as macho as paint-ball!)
• Any other reasonable ideas considered.

Your Special Llama Event can include a themed menu of your choice and could include: Gourmet, Charentais, Paella, Roasts, or Raclette, Fondue etc. Give us a call to discuss your memorable event and meal.

Trekking / Encounter Voucher

Why not give an unusual, but welcome gift in the form of a Gift Trekking / Encounter Voucher for family member’s or friend’s birthday. If you know someone is taking a holiday in the Charente or S.W. France a Trekking / Encounter Voucher will be one of the highlights of their holiday.

Photo shoots with llamas – Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, Publicity/advertisements

Contact us with your ideas and we will see if we can accommodate them.

*Trekking Groups: maximum of 12, (16 for meals). Age & height restrictions apply (9 years, 1.20m height min).
**‘Menu du Jour’ includes: apero, wine, coffee from 35€.

NEW

Llama Aided Activity & Llama Aided Therapy

Zootherapy, in the form of Llama Aided Activity (L.A.A.) and Llama Aided Therapy (L.A.T.) is a well proven aid to Physically and Mentally Disabled people and has proved to be beneficial to autistic and children with special needs. We select and train llamas so that they allow people to touch, caress, brush and lead these animals. We are not Doctors, but can provide animals as part of a therapy program for individuals or groups, either at our base (in all weathers) or elsewhere.

When a group of 9 disturbed children visited us, 3 were terrified of all animals and initially refused to enter the animals’ corral. By the end of the 1 ½ hour session, not only were these particular 3 children wrapping their arms around the llamas necks, caressing them, demanding that they stay longer, but also were playing with our dog Buster. The llamas have an innate ability to sense people’s difficulties and exude compassion.

Contact us for more information and details of the protocols we use.

The Charente is a department of contrastingly different landscapes. Famous for Cognac grown predominately on the intensely cultivated rolling chalk, the Brossacais area of the south Charente is very different. This wilder landscape comprises: steeper sided valleys, heavily wooded, with wild fauna and flora; making it a very attractive area for the rambler, with nature at its best all around.

Les Lamas de Brossac are based in the South-Charente on the western edge of the commune of Brossac and Passerac. The Grand Randonnee path GR36, (running from Ouistreham on the Channel Coast to the Pyrenees) passes along 2 sides of our property.

Within the Canton of Brossac there are a many centres of outdoor leisure pursuits including:-

• Etang Vallier, 2 kms towards Brossac, is a well established holiday village comprising villas, a 4 hectare lake with sandy beaches; life-guard supplied during the summer season, children’s games, bike hire, swimming pool, restaurant and many other facilities.

• Horse riding

• Jet Ski and Quad bike in an old quarry 3 kms

• Wine tasting

Within an hours drive there are numerous other attractions see the Tourist office web site links.

A great classic “Tasting and Buying wine” can take you to different areas around us ranging from the famous St Emillion and Margaux to Bergerac and Balzac, .

The area is famous for Cognac with many visits available to both the large internationally renowned producers well orchestrated tours including a train at Remy Martin and a boat trip on the Charente at Hennersey. Alternatively the more intimate visit to a small producer.

Angouleme is the European capital base of the Comic strip (including Tintin) with its world famous museum Bande Designee.

Miles of sandy beaches on the Atlantic coast are only an hours drive away.

Distances by road

Chalais 10
Barbezieux 18
Angouleme 25
Bordeaux 45
Royan 75
Perigueux 90

Map