What's On Today: Saturday, November 07, 2009

Huge collection of comic strip artwork with library and children's workshops. At 121, rue de Bordeaux Anglouleme. Tel: 05 45 38 65 51. Open every day during July and August from 10:00 to 19:00. And at other times from 10:00 to 18:00 (Also closed Mondays). Adults €5, Children from 7 to 18 €2.50.

Exhibition by painter Rémy Hysbergue at FRAC, 63 boulevard Bresson. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 14:00-19:00 and entry is free. For more information telephone: 05 45 92 87 01.

The Old Blind Mole Orkestra are in concert at the Kennedy Irish Pub, 3 rue Beaulieu, at 22:00. For more information telephone: 05 45 94 12 41.

Special events at the Lunapark include fireworks on the 7th, the 'Journée de la Rose' on the 15th and all rides for €1 and €2 on the 27th and 28th. Lunapark is open from 14:00-midnight. For more information telephone: 06 09 79 69 68.

Underground church carved into the rock in the 12th Century by Benedictine monks. Open all year from 09:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00 except between 15th June and 15th October when it closes at 19:00. Adults €4, under 12s €1.

Exhibition of sculptures by Jean-Jacques Civalero at l'Espinoa, Impasse des Halles. The exhibition is open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 16:00-19:00. Free entry. For more information telephone: 05 45 78 93 93.

An introduction to English through games, activities, music, movement, singing and story-telling for children aged 3-5 years and plays, poetry, games, puzzles, logic, riddles and songs for children aged 6-12 years. At Perroquet Vert every Saturday morning from 10:00-11:00 for the 3-5 year olds & 11:00-12:00 for the 6-12 year olds. €7 per child. For more information telephone: 05 45 78 84 49 or e-mail: allezlesenfants@yahoo.fr

A variety of classes take place in the upstairs rooms at Le Perroquet Vert starting from the 8th September. Classes include dressmaking, painting, yoga, Alexander technique, arts & crafts and reading & writing for children. For further information telephone: 05 45 78 84 49.

One of the best preserved Gallo-Roman sites in Europe. Open every day. See the website for more information or email to: amis.chassenon@free.fr or telephone: 05 45 85 55 15.

Exhibition of paintings, sculptures and archeological artifacts many from private collections. At Les Remparts, Place de la Salle Verte. Open every day except Tuesday between November and March from 14:00 to 17:30, and between April and June and September and October from 11:00 to 18:00. Between July and August open every day from 10:00 to 18:30 € 4.50 adults, € 3.00 under 18's Telephone: 05 45 32 07 35

Hip hop electro and scratch hip-hop at Les Anciens Abbattoirs at 21:00. Tarif €15. For more information telephone: 05 45 32 17 28.

The ice-skating season returns with the Patinoire de Cognac opening from the 23rd October until the 7th March 2010. The rink is located on the Esplanade de la Croix Montamette, Parc des Expositions Espace 3000. See the web-site for opening times and tarifs.

Two-hour English literacy classes for children, run on Saturdays in term time by the Accents Association. See the web-site for full details or telephone: Kathryn Dobson: 05 49 97 10 17.

Interactive exhibition for 3-6 year olds. The exhibition explores different shapes and forms with 9 modules accompanied by a short text and is held at Château de l'Oisellerie on Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays from 14:30-18:00. For more information telephone: 05 45 67 31 67.

The track hosts eight racing meets located on a 35 hectare site. Standard cost €5.50. For further information Tel 05 45 61 23 74

Permanent exhibition of the paintings and sculptures of over 30 artists on display at the Logis de la Logerie, Rouillac. Open every day from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 19:30. Closed Friday Saturday and Sunday out of season. Telephone: 05 45 21 61 07 for details.

The 16th edition of the Piano en Valois music festival takes place from the 13th to the 20th October and the 14th to the 21st November. Classical and jazz concerts in Angoulême, Soyaux, Cognac, La Rochefoucauld and a number of other towns in the region. Artists appearing include Pietro de Maria, David Bismuth, Mu Ye Wu and the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine. See the web-site for programme details.

One of the most important Gallo Roman sites in the region covering over 150 hectares and including the remains of a temple, a villa, thermal baths and a port. Open everyday from April to September between 10:00 and 19:00 and from October to March from 14:00 to 17:00. Closed January. For information telephone: 05 46 90 43 66 or email to: le-fa.archeo@wanadoo.fr

The funfair is open all year round at Place Jean Moulin. For more information telephone: 05 46 56 26 97.

Swimming lessons for children aged 6 months to 3 years at the Centre Aquatique on Wednesday from 09:30-10:15 & Saturday from 09:30-11:30 (Saturdays only in July from 09:00-11:00 and 09:30-11:30 in the school holidays). For more information telephone: 05 46 56 44 11.

The track holds eleven race meetings which include trotting, steeplechase and flat racing. For further information Tel: 05 46 56 48 30.

Surfing competition at Anse de la Perroche. For more information telephone: 05 46 75 44 16.

A concert by the La Rochelle Gospel Choir and H2o in the first half, at the Eglise at 20:30. For more information telephone: 05 46 01 32 13.

Antiques salon at the Parc des Expositions, avenue Jean Paul Sartre, from 10:00-19:00. Entry €5 & free for under 12's. For more information telephone: 05 46 30 08 53.

An exhibition of paintings, engravings and works exploring the life of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland. The exhibition is on at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Hôtel Fleuriau, 10, rue Fleuriau and is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:30-12:30 & 13:30-17:00 and Saturday, Sunday & bank holidays from 14:30-18:00. Tarif €4, reduced tarif €3 & free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month. For more information telephone: 05 46 41 46 50.

The Exposition de Véhicules Anciens is on at the Parc des Exposition everyday from 10:00-19:00. Tarif €3 & €5. For more information telephone: 05 46 30 08 50.

Producers from all over France exhibit their specialities at the Parc des Expositions. The salon is open everyday from 10:00-19:00. Tarif €3 & €5. For more information telephone: 05 46 30 08 50.

Irish, rock, jazz, blues and French music, a variety of live music every Saturday night at Fitzpatrick's Irish Pub, 14 Quai Duperré. For more information telephone Kevin or Mary: 05 46 07 77 37.

The aquarium has jelly fish, shark pools, a tropical forest and much more. Cost Adult €12, Child (3-18yrs) €9, under 3yrs free. Audio Guide available in English. For further details and opening times Tel 05 46 34 00 00

The St-Nicolas, Chain and Lantern towers are the remains of the town's fortifications. The Chain and St-Nicolas towers are former palaces at the entrance to the port and the Lantern was a lighthouse. Open everyday except Monday. From 16th May to 30th June from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:30 - from 1st July to 31st August from 10:00 to 19:00 and from 16th Sep to 15th May from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00. For more information telephone: 05 46 34 11 81

A 45 minute visit with commentary to the historic Hôtel de Ville building on Saturdays and Sundays at 15:00 and everyday at 15:00 in the school holidays. Tarif €4 & €1.50 for students & children over 10. For more information telephone: 05 46 41 14 68 or e-mail: accueil@larochelle-tourisme.com

Games, toys, clothes and nursery material on sale at Le Bois Plage on Saturday from 09:00-18:00 and Sunday from 10:00-13:00.

Curry night every Saturday at The Doublon in Lorignac 05 46 04 58 26. Poppodoms and dips, curry, rice and naan bread on the menu at €10. Vegetarian option available.

English and French books can be exchanged at Le Doublon at anytime during opening hours. Monday 17:00-23:00 and Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00-23:00. For more information telephone Alan Cramley: 05 46 04 58 26 or e-mail: alancramley@aol.com

A one hour tour with commentry on board the 'Ville de Marennes'. Discover the 'Seudre River' and the oyster beds. For further information Tel 05 46 85 20 85

The park has 130 mammals including fawn, deer, stag. Cost is Adult €5.50, Child €3.50. Tel: 05 46 48 30 34

The 3rd wine salon is held at the Salle des Fêtes on Saturday from 14:00-18:00 and Sunday from 10:00-18:00.

At the Cours Roy Bry behind the post office from 07:00 to 18:00. For more information telephone: 05 46 58 23 15

Exhibition by German artist Andréas Dettloff at the Hôtel de St Clémént, 63 avenue Charles de Gaulle. For more information telephone: 05 46 82 91 60.

Filled with a mix of local and tropical plants to illustrate the return of ships carrying unknown or rare plants. For further information Tel 05 46 88 20 11

This years' festival includes the Forum of Associations, the French Freestyle foot Championship, the Electro Beach Party and concerts with Liane Foley and Les Binuchards. For more information contact the Office de Tourisme or telephone: 05 46 06 32 82.

The Association Franco Anglaise meets for social events and activities including language classes, walking, gardening, patchwork, line dancing, book club and a number of social gatherings each month. For more information telephone: 05 46 85 44 80.

Exhibition of paintings by Bolivian artist Mario Vargas at Galerie Victor Hugo. For more information telephone: 05 46 93 55 77.

Rides and attractions at the Parc des Expositions. For more information telephone: 05 46 74 23 82.

Plant exchange and gardening tips and advice at Salle Richelieu on Saturday from 10:00-12:30 & 13:30-17:00 and on Sunday from 10:00-13:00. Free entry. For more information telephone: 05 46 94 74 07 or 05 46 94 70 21.

This zoo and botanic garden hosts an array of museums including a shell museum, a butterfly and insect museum and a maratime museum. There is a 35 minute show of parrots in flight. Cost is Adult €10, Child €7, discounts available. For further information and opening times Tel 05 46 29 23 23

The APA welcomes fishermen for a friendly discussion and exchange of information, every Saturday morning on the port of St Denis from 10:00-12:30. For more information telephone: 06 10 39 60 62.

French violinist Marie Cantagrimm plays Bachs' Partitas 2 and 3, at the Abbaye Royale at 20:30. Entry €15, reduced tarif €12 & free for children under 12. For more information telephone: 05 46 32 60 60.

Located in the Brouage Marshes, there is a chance for visitors to see fresh water terrapin, cattle egret, european otter and much more. For further details and opening times Tel 05 46 99 04 36

An exhibition by self taught sculptor Yanos, using paper, iron, wood and stone materials, at Château de Bressuire. The exhibition is open on the 7th, 8th, 11th, 14th & 15th from 14:30-18:00. For more information telephone: 05 49 65 14 14.

An exhibition of the latest pen and ink drawings by Louise Davies, featuring some of the highlights of the Romanesque churches of Melle and beyond. The drawings reveal the fabulous details of many of the carved grotesques (modillons) as well as images of the churches themselves. The exhibition is held at the Office de Tourisme and is open in October, Monday to Saturday from 09:30-12:30 & 14:00-18:00 and in November, Monday to Friday from 09:30-12:30 & 14:00-17:30. For more information telephone: 05 49 29 15 10.

This park has a vast collection of ancient rose trees and thousands of different shrubs. Entry is €2/child and €4.50/adult. For further information Tel 05 49 29 15 10

Games and toys on sale at the Breuil Bernard on Friday from 20:00-22:00 and Saturday from 10:00-18:00. Items for sale can be deposited on Saturday from 14:00-19:00.

Exhibition of flowers, nature and cubist paintings at Espace Expressions Macif-Smip, 13 rue Thiers Plan. Open Monday to Thursday from 09:00-18:00, Friday from 09:00-17:00 and Saturday from 09:30-12:30. Free entry. For more information telephone: 05 49 09 30 25.

Photographers Nicolas Riffaud and Sébastien Gaudronneau present their vision of Niort by night with an installation entitled Exil. The exhibition is at Le Pilori from Tuesday to Sunday and is open from 13:00-19:30. For more information telephone: 05 49 78 79 88.

The Nouvelle company present their dance production Promenades at Le Patronage Laïque at 20:00. Tarif €10 & reduced tarif €5. For more information telephone: 05 49 28 57 27.

Habitat Jeunes L’Atlantique celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall with a reconstruction in wood and cardboard (starting on the 6th at 10:00). Visitors are invited to write on the wall from the 9th and the demolition is on the 18th. Habitat Jeunes L’Atlantique is situated at 147 rue du Clou-Bouchet. For more information telephone: 05 16 43 00 26.

Metal rock at Le Camji at 21:00. Tarif €10 & reduced tarif €8. For more information telephone: 05 49 17 50 45.

Twirling demonstrations at a gala evening at the Salle Omnisports, rue Barra, at 20:30. Entry €5, €3 for 12-18 year olds & free for under 12's. For more information telephone: 05 49 05 97 67.

Guided visits of Niort, Monday-Friday at 16:30. Cost is Adult €4.60/Child €2. For further information Tel 05 49 24 18 79

Departing from Arcais, Coulon or La Garette, these trips can be guided if required. For further information Tel 05 49 24 18 79

Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride along the pedestrian and cycle tracks of Niort. For further information Tel 05 49 24 18 79

Pony Trekking every day 10:00-12:00 / 14:00-19:00. Cost is €20/1 hour, €33/2 hours, maximum 12 people. For further information Tel 05 49 24 18 79

A full day tour including a guided visit of the Royal Abbey at Celles-sur-Belle, lunch, guided visit of the silver mines of the Frankish kings at Melle, guided visit of the traditional head dress museum. Cost is €38 Adults/€19 Child (under 12yrs). Visit website for further information.

A full day tour including a visit to Maison des Marais Mouilles (Wet Marshes Museum), lunch and a guided rowing boat trip (2hrs). Cost is €35 Adult/€23.50 Child. Visit website for further information.

16th Century castle built by a squire of Henry II which was completely refurbished in the 17th Century. Open every day except public holidays from 1st October to 31st May from 10:30 to 18:30 and from 1st June to 30th September from 10:30 to 17:30

The park offers the chance to observe birds nesting in the Marais poitevin. Over 70 species of birds. Cost is Adult €6, child €3, family tickets available. For further information and opening times Tel 05 49 26 04 09

Lectures, film projections and an exhibition of fifty photographs tracing the history of the Berlin Wall, at the anciennes Ecuries du Château. The exhibition is open Monday to Friday and Sundays 15th, 22nd & 29th November from 14:00-18:00. Entry is free. For more information telephone: 05 49 66 42 99.

Exhibition on the forest of Chizé at Zoodyssée Animal Park. See the web-site for more information.

Rock'n roll and rockabilly to dance to at the Bar Le Centre the first Saturday of every month at 20:00. Free entry. Beetle crushers are optional. For more information telephone: 05 49 48 21 38.

One of the most powerful Benedictine Abbeys dating from the 8th Century with Charlemagne's famous octagonal tower. Open every day except Monday and public holidays from 1st October to 31st May from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:30 and from 1st May to 30th September from 09:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:30

At Salle Camille Pagé from 10:00-19:00. Entry €1 & free for under 14's. For more information telephone: 05 49 93 38 49.

A one hour show at the Chateau des Aigles with parrots, eagles, vultures and more. Cost is Adult €8.5, Child €5.5, discount available. For further information and opening times Tel 05 49 46 47 48

The Saturday Club has creative activities, music and stories to help children maintain their English language. From 10:30-11:30. €6 per session. For more information telephone: 05 49 97 10 17 or e-mail: accentsadmin@orange.fr

Professional brocante on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 403 Allée des Peupliers from 09:00-19:00. For more information telephone: 05 49 47 36 99.

Ancient castle dating from the end of the 10th Century. Open to visitors every day except sundays by arrangement with the Tourist Office at Gençay. For details telephone: 05 49 58 01 82 or email to: simone.vignaud@wanadoo.fr

This is a park with planted hedges, flowers and grass spread over 4 hectares. For further information Tel 05 49 52 05 42

Live music or karaoke every Saturday night at the Hotel de la Paix in Place d'Armes. All musicians welcome, if you want to play just turn up (PA system provided). Entry is free. From 20:00. For more information telephone: 06 85 55 98 71.

Catergory 1 course with meetings throughout the year. Standard rate €6. For further information Tel 05 49 86 19 46

A reptile house with snakes, serpents, crocodies and iguanas. For further information and opening times Tel 05 49 91 23 45

Renaudot fleamarket at Place Porte de Chinon in Loudun. 08:00-19:00. On the 2nd Saturday of every month. For further information tel: 06 88 46 51 00.

The 14th biennial painting and sculpture exhibition at the Collégiale Sainte Croix. Entry is free. Guest of honour this year is painter Kosal. For more information telephone: 05 49 98 15 96.

Indoor amateur and pro equestrian competition at the Centre Equestre Municipal from 08:00-21:00 and Saturday evening at 19:00. Entry is free. For more information telephone: 05 49 46 28 38.

Events at La Passerelle include a free apéritif concert on the 6th at 19:00 and an exhibition of works by Georges Taller, Amélie les Crayons in concert on the 7th at 20:30, a concert for children 'Trio pour un petit pois' by Pascal Ayerbe on the 8th and on the 14th, a story for children over 10, 'Vide Grenier' by Daniel L'Homond. See the web-site for full details or telephone: 06 22 71 25 81.

A recreation of the Tower of Babel by artist Jakob Gautel using 15000 books of all shapes, sizes and languages. The Tour de Babel can be seen at the Maison de l'Architecture, 1 rue de la Tranchée. For more information telephone: 05 49 42 89 79.

Theme park offering a selection of different attractions with a visual theme : Dances With Robots, Deep Sea 3D, Dynamic Vienne, Mystery of the Nile, The Forest of Dreams and now The Future is Wild. Open everyday from 10:00 until dusk. For details telephone: 05 49 49 30 80

Situated in the Géant Beaulieu Shopping Centre the bowling centre has 10 lanes. For further information telephone: 05 49 01 92 33

American experimental noise band Hair Police are in concert at Le Confort Moderne at 21:00. Tarif €12 & reduced tarif €9. Support from French indie-rock band Papier Tigre. For more information telephone: 05 49 46 08 08.

Popular aand traditional French singer Bénabar is in concert at Les Arènes, Parc des Expositions. For more information telephone: 05 49 61 23 86.

Flamenco singer-guitarist is in concert at Le Pince Oreille on the 6th and 7th at 22:30. For more information telephone: 05 49 60 25 99.

The bowling club is open everyday from 11:00-01:00 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11:00-02:00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 14:30-20:00 on Sunday. See the website for full details or telephone: 05 49 01 92 33.

This recreation park in Roiffe is open all year round with all day sports activities and entertainment in the evenings. For further information telephone: 05 49 98 78 06

A fifteen hectare park with lion marmosets, gibbons and more. Cost is Adult €12, Child €8, discounts available. For further information and opening times Tel 05 49 87 20 20

One of the best preserved Gallo Roman sites in the world with remains of temple, amphitheatre and baths. Open every day except Saturday from 16th September to 14th May at 10:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:30 and from 15th May to 15th September from 09:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00

The forest covers around 250 hectares which include playgrounds, ponds, animal areas and a swimming pool. For further information Tel 05 49 41 64 70

Exhibition of paintings by François Bhavsar at the Abbaye St Benoît. Open Tuesday to Friday from 09:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00, Saturday 09:00-13:00 & 14:30-19:00 and on Sunday from 14:30-19:00. Entry is free. For more information telephone: 05 49 47 44 53.