La Solinière, despite its rural and peaceful setting can be reached easily by sea, air and rail. The village of Bouin is situated within a comfortable day’s drive of all the major ferry ports. Those who have not experienced the French motorway system will enjoy its and frequent `aires’ where you can relax and refuel both bodies and cars. These motorways called 'autoroutes' in France are toll roads but are not expensive. La Solinière is also conveniently located for access to 4 airports and can be reached by train via Eurostar and the amazingly fast and reliable TGV system.

By Car

Brittany Ferries:   Portsmouth to St Malo, Caen and Cherbourg and Plymouth to Roscoff. St Malo, Caen and Cherbourg are 4 ½ , 5 ½ and 6 hours away respectively and Roscoff about 5 ½ hours away. An overnight crossing to any of these ports will bring you to La Solinière in time for a leisurely lunch and an afternoon swim. The morning boats will enable you to reach us in time for an evening meal. Or why not take the cheaper afternoon ferries and have an overnight stop en route. We will be happy to advise on overnight accommodation. For further information click on www.brittanyferries.co.uk

P & O Ferries:   Dover to Calais Le Havre is situated about 6 hours away from La Solinière and Calais about 6½ hours. The new autoroute (A280) between Alencon and Rouen means that you can drive the whole of the way from Calais and Le Havre to Poitiers on autoroutes avoiding Paris. Unlike UK motorways these are far less crowded and provide ample aires for regular stops. Further information on www.poferries.com

Sea France:   Dover to Calais Sea France sails from Dover to Calais with numerous sailings right through the day. Book early for the best deals. Bouin can be reached from Calais within 6½ hours and now almost the whole journey can be undertaken on the autoroutes. For further information click on www.seafrance.com

Speedferries:   Dover to Boulogne The `new kids on the block’ and already altering the style and price of cross channel travel. An amazing £25.00 each way. With the new A28 motorway from Rouen to Alencon, Boulogne is now only 6 hours away by car on the autoroutes. For further information: www.speedferries.com

Eurotunnel:   Dover to Calais The quickest and probably easiest way across the channel. Bouin can be reached from Calais within 6½ hours and now almost the whole journey can be undertaken on the excellent French motorways. Further information: www.eurotunnel.com

By Air

Ryan Air:   Stanstead to Poitiers, La Rochelle and (soon) Angouleme; Liverpool to Limoges Very low fares (if you book far enough in advance these can be as low as 1 euro!!). Each of the airports has facilities to hire cars or we can arrange for a taxi to meet you. Poitiers and Angouleme airports are both about 50 minutes away from Bouin, La Rochelle is about an hour away and Limoges about 75 minutes (leave time for the wonderful pottery shops and warehouses!!) More information: www.ryanair.com

Flybe:   Southampton to La Rochelle and Bordeaux; Birmingham to La Rochelle Frequent and efficient services at budget prices. The longer you book in advance the cheaper the fares tend to be. Hire cars can be collected at La Rochelle airport. More information: www.flybe.com

British Airways:   Gatwick to Nantes and Bordeaux For those www.britishairways.com

Visitors from further afield can fly directly to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and then connect with the TGV to Poitiers

By Rail

Eurostar:   London/Waterloo to Lille/Paris and then TGV to Poitiers You can book your tickets direct, in English or French via www.eurostar.com or www.tgv.co.uk Car hire is available from Poitiers or we can arrange for a taxi to meet you. Please ask for further details.