For the history and architecture lovers among you we highly recommend having a look inside the stunning 12th century
church of Saint Nicolas which has beautiful frescos and carvings.
Things to do
In and around the area there are many traditional French markets including the vibrant market in the nearby town of Civray on Tuesday mornings.
Civray market is a great place to visit to soak up the atmosphere, relax with a coffee at a pavement café and do a little shopping.
Poitiers
Poitiers, the elegant capital of the Poitou-Charentes, is a 35 minute drive away should you wish to do some serious shopping or sightseeing.
You can visit Poitiers by the bus service that runs from the square in Sommières right into the heart of town.
Rich in history and culture, Poitiers has a labyrinth of pedestrianised streets lined with boutiques, cafébars, restaurants and amazing architecture. It also has numerous markets including a gastronomic market, flea markets and a colourful clothes market.
In the immediate area around Sommières you will find the Vallée des Singes (Valley of the Monkeys) and Le Vieux Cormenier (a scenographic history of rural France in the 1900s).
A visit to the Parc Floral de la Belle is recommended if you are a garden lover and for those into technology the themepark Futuroscope is a must.
Another wonderful place to visit is the Géants du Ciel, in the medieval quarter of Chauvigny. Birds of prey and other exotic birds are artfully displayed in the setting of a medieval castle.