Getting to Bonnevaux
By Train
There are a few TGV high speed trains direct to Poitiers from CDG international airport, Paris. However most of the trains to Poitiers leave from Paris-gare Montparnasse. You can check the schedule and buy your ticket using the links below :
Journey time in non-stop trains between Paris and Poitiers is 1h 20min. And between CDG and Poitiers is between 2h 10min and 2h 20min.
There are also domestic trains connecting Angoulême, Tours, Limoges, Niort and La Rochelle to Poitiers.
By Road
Bonnevaux is a 5-hour drive from Paris along the A10. Parking is available.
By Air
Ryanair flies from various UK cities direct to Poitiers international airport. Book your flight on Ryanair.com
Air France Hop airlines fly direct to Poitiers from Lyon. Book your flight on Air France.com
Failing flying into Poitiers we recommend that you fly to Paris or Bordeaux and take the train to Poitiers.
Once in Poitiers, you can:
- take a taxi to Bonnevaux using Taxis du Val de Vonne (booked in advance: see information below)
- take a train to Vivonne which is about 6 Km to Bonnevaux (there are not many trains and they usually run in the early morning, midday and evening). Please know that there are time when we will not be able to provide transportation.
By Taxi
Taxis du Val de Vonne – phone + 33 (0) 5 49 43 33 22
Local transport company, based in Vivonne and Lusignan.
Price per trip :
Tarif C (Day rate – 7am to 7pm):
Bonnevaux – Gare de Poitiers: 33,00 €
Bonnevaux – Aéroport de Biard (Poitiers): 36,60 €
Tarif D (Night rate : 7pm to 7am/ Sundays / public hollidays):
Bonnevaux – Gare de Poitiers: 46,62 €
Bonnevaux – Aéroport de Biard (Poitiers): 52,94 €
* These rates are 25% lower than other offers of taxi companies and have been agreed for guests of Bonnevaux.
- Reservations (booking) can be done by phone + 33 (0) 5 49 43 33 22 or by email: ambulancevaldevonne@wanadoo.fr
- Notify your arrival time at least 24 hours in advance.
- These rates are valid for 1 to 8 passengers in the same car.
- Above 4 passengers, a 9 seater car can be assigned for the same price. Booking to be made at least 48 hours in advance
- Some drivers speak a little bit of English
- There will be signs in taxis (or they might hold it at the arrival hall at the airport) that say “Abbaye de Bonnevaux” so it will be easier for people to recognise the taxi.
- They can transport between 4 à 8 persons per trip (this depends on the availability of the cars)
What to Bring
Bonnevaux is in the middle of the countryside and offers great opportunities for walks in fields and woodlands. Bring comfortable clothes and good walking shoes (good for mud too) and indoor footwear.
We recommend you bring: pullovers, warm clothes, a raincoat and a hat, comfortable shoes for the countryside, thick socks and a flashlight.
The plugs are continental two round-pin plugs 230V/50Hz. You are advised to bring a travel adapter if required.
Other Practical Information
Guests should have adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay.
Considering that all the rooms are on the first floor, please be aware that there are no elevators.
Weather & Temperatures
Between December and February, temperatures can go down to 0 degrees Celsius and they can go above 35 degrees in the Summer. It can also be very rainy and muddy and can get quite chilly even during the evenings in August.
So come with gear for cold and freezing weather in the deep winter months and come with sun hat and loose clothing etc for the hot summer months.
Meals
Meals are mostly taken preserving a quiet atmosphere and served after prayer and meditation periods.
Groceries & Restaurants
Vivonne is the closest town from Marçay (about 6 km) where you can find shops and restaurants. Here is some information: www.tourisme-vivonne.fr/discover-vivonne
Food Stores
Super U – 17 Rue des Portes Rouges – 86370 Vivonne – opening hours: Monday through Saturday 8:30 am to 7:30 pm – Sunday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Aldi – 9 Route de Lusignan – 86370 Vivonne – opening hours: Monday through Saturday: 8:30 am to 7:30 pm
Vivonne Open-Air Market – Vivonne Town Centre (Place du Marché) Saturdays 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Restaurants
Bar Restaurant Saint-Médard – Chez Thierry – 13 Coulombiers – 86370 Marçay Phone : +33 7 70 39 47 54 – opening hours : Tuesday to Friday 7:00 to 8:00pm – Saturday 9:00 to 8:30pm – Sunday 9:00am to 2:00pm
La Palais – 49 Route nationale, 86600 Coulombiers – Phone: +33 5 49 60 90 21 – friendly family-run bistro.
Auberge du Centre Poitou – Gourmet restaurant – 39, rue Nationale – 86600 Coulombiers – Tel : +33 5 49 60 90 15 – Website : www.centre-poitou.com
Café-Cantine du Commerce – 4 Place du Marché – 86160 Gençay – Phone : +33 9 7369 0378 – Website : cafecantine.fr/restaurant – opening hours : Tuesday 11:00 am-8:00 pm Wednesday & Thursday : 11:00am-3:00pm – Friday : 11:00 am-11:00 pm – Saturday : 11:00 am-12:00 am
Pharmacy
Pharmacie des 6 Vallées – Giropharm – 79-81 Grand Rue – 86370 Vivonne
Phone : +33 5 49 43 41 67
Pharmacie Coindreau – Giropharm – 39 Grande Rue – 86370 Vivonne
Phone : +33 5 49 43 41 56
Contribution
Any contribution you may wish to make can be received in the abbey office either in cash, by credit card or bank transfer.
Please use the following bank details for your contribution:
Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour la paix
IBAN : FR10 2004 1010 0610 6481 5J02 771
BIC / PSSTFRPPLIM
Contact Details
In case you need any urgent assistance, you may contact:
Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour la Paix
86370 Marçay
France
Tel: +33 5 49 43 39 87
Mobile: +33 6 33 43 71 71
e-mail: contact@bonnevauxwccm.org
Phone reception is not good at Bonnevaux, so do insist as we might not be able to answer you immediately.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bonnevaux!
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