Celles-sur-Belle – 9 min from Melle
The stately monastic buildings in the style of Louis the 14th from the 17th century with its beautiful church dominate the valley of Celles sur Belle. There are also beautiful French gardens adjacent to it. In the museum housed here you can see the chambers of the clergy, a reconstruction of a monastery room, but also a collection of objects of worship and clothing of clergy.
Many cultural activities take place in Celle-sur-Belle, and a classical music festival is organized in July-August.
In addition, there is regularly a flea market in the garden of the monastery, which gives a picturesque view and where you can browse for beautiful things. You can enjoy a snack and a drink in the local catering industry.
Coudray-Salbart – 20 min from Melle
The impressive fortress of Coudray-Salbart is listed as Historical Monuments and consists of six high towers connected by curtains. It was built in the 13th century by the lords of Parthenay on an overhang over a river bend of the Sèvre niortaise, two kilometers from the town of Échiré, not far from Niort. The castle has stood the test of time remarkably well, as it has never suffered major attacks in its long history. This makes it a beautiful example of military architecture from the Middle Ages!
Zoodyssee – 21 min from Melle
In the heart of the Chizé State Forest, near the town of Villiers-en-Bois, the Zoodyssée extends over 25 hectares. Nearly 500 animals from the European fauna, representing more than 60 different species, can be found in this ecological animal park. Two routes through the natural wooded area with meadows allow you to meet the Poitou donkey stallions, ibex, mouflon, European bison, red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, owls, lynx, wolves, foxes, otters, storks and birds of prey, and much more more!
It also organizes exhibitions on biodiversity, educational activities, guided tours in a carriage, trips through the forest every Thursday in July and August; for children there is a petting zoo and playground.
Niort – 30 min from Melle
The capital of the Deux-Sèvres, has a pleasant and pleasant historic center, where you can stroll through the shopping areas closed to cars.
The range of shops is very diverse and there are many cozy cafes and restaurants. Les Halles de Niort is a beautiful old covered market in the old town. On Thursday mornings there is a large regional market in and around the old hall. You can also visit Niort Castle, an impressive building that is easily recognizable by its impressive contours. Remains of one of the most beautiful twin castles in France, this stately complex was built in the 12th century by Henri II Plantagenêt and Richard the Lionheart. It consists of two square towers, which are connected by the main building from the 15th century. The rooms are used as a museum, one part of which has exhibits devoted to local archaeological finds (from the Bronze Age to the High Middle Ages); in the other to folk traditions and art. From the castle terrace, you can admire beautiful views over the roofs of Niort. The former Renaissance-style town hall, built on the site of the pillory used to be in the Middle Ages, now serves as a center for visual arts, and there are exhibitions of modern art to admire.
The Bernard d’Agesci Museum is housed in a former girls’ lyceum, and has three different collections: Visual Arts (paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries, decorative arts), Natural History (ornithology, geology, osteology), and an Educational Conservation Center (overview of a century and a half of education with school supplies, scientific material).
Ruffec – 37 min away from Melle:
The town of Ruffec has a typical Romanesque church, Saint-André, and the narrow streets in the old center make it fun to look around. Along the banks of the Lien it is good to relax at the picturesque rapids where you can enjoy a picnic and where you will find the remains of the old castle. Ruffec has several events. Throughout the year, a market takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, while a fair is organized on the 13th and 28th of each month. Vide Greniers are also organized in different periods.
In January, the International Festival of Humor and Dreams takes place in the streets of Ruffec. On this occasion, various shows are offered to the public, such as cabaret entertainment, or humorous plays.
