
Pompadour, Corrèze
Tennis, golf and riding surrounded by beautiful Corrèze countryside.
Location: Arnac-Pompadour is pretty much bang in the middle of France and then left a bit. It sits in the department of Corrèze in the Limousin region.
Getting there: With the boom of low-cost airlines, you can get to regional France for anything as cheap as 1p these days (before you click on ‘purchase’ and realised you also have to pay for taxes, baggage charges and a whip-round for the pilot’s stag do). The nearest airport to Club Med Pompadour is in Limoges (Ryanair flies from London Stansted, Liverpool and East Midlands), about an hour-and-a-half flying time from the UK. Limoges is about an hour from the resort, or a seven-hour drive from Calais.
Tennis facilities: Just three outdoor courts but a mind-boggling 15 floodlit indoor synthetic clay courts! Equipment can be hired and there’s a racket restringing service too.
Coaching: Packages include free group lessons every day and more intense academy clinics and individual lessons are also available. The resort website boasts that the tennis department is run by former French Davis Cup player Thierry Champion and physical trainer ‘to top level players’ Serge Autexier. There’s a three-day children’s academy course (in either tennis or football) included in the price of packages.
Eating: Full board throughout the stay includes wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner at the buffet-style restaurant, which is also the venue for breakfast. The menu is high-quality and varied with themed nights. There’s also an open bar and snacks at specific times during the day and night.
Drinking: France = wine. You’d be a fool not to explore the region, visit the local vineyards and enjoy a tasting and a tour. Back on site, after dinner the staff entertain the troops – or you can slope off for a quiet nightcap in one of the two bars. The nightclub bar is open until 2am.
Sleeping: Basic, but comfortable, the 230 rooms all come with an en-suite shower room and TV.
What else? Riding is the main focus of Pompadour so if you have horse lovers and tennis fanatics in your family then this is the place for you. Packages also include free use of the nine-hole golf course, driving range, putting green, mountain-biking, guided walks, exercise classes, a heated indoor pool, volleyball, rugby, football, basketball, circuit training and a gym. There are also two golf 18-hole courses within driving distance of the resort. As with all Club Meds, it’s family friendly with activities and childcare available for children aged from two to 18. Playground and baby sitting service also available. Come on!