Les Fortinieres carp and catfish lake situated close to the large town of Chateauroux, has to be seen to be believed. Set in the heart of the countryside the lake makes up just one of thousands in this vast conservation area known as the Brenne National Park.

As well as holding countless big carp and catfish, the lake is simply a picture of maturity and the accommodation is again first-class, as you would expect.

This is the heartland of the Brenne National Park which is essentially a huge nature-reserve so there is plenty to see and do if you need a breather from the fishing, including visits to tourist attractions and wildlife sanctuaries. The vast holiday complex and beached lake at Etang de Bellebouche holds the key for family entertainment too, with watersports, trekking, camping and cycling available. If you can pull yourself away from the lake, there are many places to sample the local cuisine and enjoy true traditional home produce, your only problem will be deciding where to go! As with all the venues, there are leaflets and guides at the accommodation to satisfy even the most active of families!

The accommodation is a spacious annex of the house with two bedrooms, living room, shower and English wc. The fully equipped kitchen opens into a large outdoor covered barbecue area with seating. There is also a pool at the house for use during your stay to keep the kids entertained during the hot weather.

Stocked with a fantastic head of mature big carp, it holds approx. 10 forties with many tipping in and out each year.

There are also a recorded 100-30lb plus carp and around 200 20lb plus carp, which is a terrific number but again is testament to quality fishery management. To compliment this head of carp there are also grass carp to over 40lb and catfish to 110lb which simply go like trains. So as with all the lakes, bring some beefy tackle with you!