And then there is the lake.....

It is only about a 10 minute walk away from the villa but there is so much to see and do here. It is very large and you cannot go round it all in one day but there are some great walks on the many footpaths. France is full of wildlife and at the lake you can see eagles, herons, ducks, swans and many more. If you go at dusk, you may even see the local deer coming down for a drink but they can be rather shy. Watch out for the ducks, they love bread and if you bring a baguette you can be certain of having company!

The Promenade Fleurie is a spectacular flower garden, right on the edge of the lake, where there are many unusual and exotic plants and trees. The lake has a lot of water lilies. They are beautiful in the summer when they are in flower.

If you tire of nature and want something more energetic, then you can swim in the lovely clear, warm water. Or hire a pedalo or a boat and dive off from the side into the crystal clear water. Fancy yourself sailing into the sunset in a dinghy or a catamaran? Take some lessons and that could be you!

If you get peckish at lunchtime, or even if you don't fancy doing a barbecue in the evening and want to be waited on hand and foot, then there is always the Restaurant Au Bon Coin du Lac by the entrance to the Promenade Fleurie...scrumptious!

More pictures of the lake