Places to visit
Leisure lake at La Guerlie, Pressignac 16150 - 3 miles/4.5 kms
Safe sandy beach with life guards in the high season, plenty of shade under trees, shower, picnic tables, crazy golf, Le 16 Beach snack bar and Le Soleil Couchant English bar, nautical centre with boat hire, free parking Les lacs de Haute Charente Base nautique des lacs de Haute Charente, Verneuil 16310, Tel: 05 45 65 30 62. Open mid-June to mid-September. Kayaks, canoes, wind surfers, catamarans from 7 euros an hour/14 euros half-day. Guided boat trips around the lake. Mountain bike hire from 4/5 euros an hour/6/8 euros half-day. Website |
La Chassagne beach, 87600 Videix - 5 kms
Safe sandy beach with life guards in the high season, picnic tables, pedalo/kayak hire, children's play area, free parking, bar/restaurant - Gites et plage de la Chassagne. Horse riding with the Centre Équestre Des Lacs De Haute Charente. See also: Videix - Tourisme Haute-Vienne. Fireworks: 1st Sunday in August ~ 22:30. |
Roman baths at Chassenon - 4 miles/6 kms
Guided tours in English at 2.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August. Annual Archaeo night with free entry to the Roman Baths and spectacle - Saturday 06 August in 2022. Events throughout the summer. www.cassinomagus.fr |
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Chabanais 16150 - 4 miles
Several agricultural-themed festivals are held in Chabanais each year.
For example, les Journees de la Quintinie
Several agricultural-themed festivals are held in Chabanais each year.
For example, les Journees de la Quintinie
Rochechouart - 5 miles/8 kms
Pretty town with cobbled streets, large 13th century chateau (not open to the public other than the modern art gallery but you can wander round the grounds) and museum of the meteorite. The modern art gallery in the chateau is free to visit on the first Sunday of the month, except July and August, and has displays about the history of the chateau as well as art installations. Rochechouart - Wikipedia - English Espace Meteorite - English Departmental museum of contemporary art - English What's on in Rochechouart |
Les Salles Lavauguyon - 7 miles/12 kms
Church and Priory - 1000 year old church with amazing accoustics - try singing! www.lessalleslavauguyon.com - English |
Château de Rochebrune at Etagnac - 8 miles/12 kms
Château de Rochebrune at Etagnac - English Château de Rochebrune at Etagnac - French |
Chateau de Peyras, nr Roumazieres-Loubert - 9 miles/15 kms
Open Sunday afternoons throughout the year - access by guided tour only Chateau de Peyras - English Chateau de Peyras - French At the beginning of June there is an annual Fete of Wool held at the chateau. |
St Junien - 11 miles
Free parking in the centre of town, a good Tourist Information, interesting cobbled shopping street (but not always pedestrianized - watch out for cars) and the best cake shop in the area. There's often a free exhibition in the ground floor of the Hotel de Ville, which is next to the church.
In November, the salon des Gourmets et des Vignerons is a great place to try French food and wine.
Free parking in the centre of town, a good Tourist Information, interesting cobbled shopping street (but not always pedestrianized - watch out for cars) and the best cake shop in the area. There's often a free exhibition in the ground floor of the Hotel de Ville, which is next to the church.
In November, the salon des Gourmets et des Vignerons is a great place to try French food and wine.
Velo Rail
Confolens (to Manot) - 16 miles/25 kms Roumazieres-Loubert (to Manot) - 10 miles/17 kms www.velorail16.com Departing from either Confolens or Roumazieres-Loubert, a "car" seats 5 people and costs 27 euros (2012). 2 people at a time pedal (while the others take a rest - it may be a fairly level railway line but you notice the hills!). At Manot there is time for a picnic or drink or ice cream from the little kiosk, then the cars are turned around on a turntable and you cycle back to your departure station. Healthy fun! There is also a train for people who want to take life more easy. |
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Piegut-Pluviers 24360 - 18 miles/29 kms
Famous for one of the largest markets in the area on Wednesday mornings throughout the year, 8 am - 12 noon See Lady Justine's Blog for photos and a description. 2022 update - we believe Le Sens de la Terre has closed - we do not yet know whether new proprietors will take over the restaurant. (We like Le Sens de la Terre restaurant/tea room and pottery/craft shop at 29 Rue de la Liberation Tel: 05 53 60 92 17 Serving (their words!) Soul Food, Vegan, Vegetarian lunch, dinner, coffee & drinks and open Wed: 09:00 - 17:00 Thu - Sun: 11:00 - 22:00 Tripadvisor reviews) |
St Germain de Confolens - 19 miles/30 kms
A pretty village on the banks of the river Vienne, large riverside car park with picnic area (why not pick up fish and chips in Confolens, or there's often a snack bar selling drinks, ice creams and light meals next to the car park), and steep climb up to ruined castle (free entry) towering above the village with great views over the river valley - one of our favourite places St Germain de Confolens blogspot www.abandoned-France.org - St Germain de Confolens |
Coriobona Village Gaulois, Esse 16500 - 19 miles/30 km
Reconstruction of a Gaul village
Le pont Binot, 16500 Esse
www.coriobona-village-gaulois.fr
Facebook: Coriobona Village Gaulois
2022:
14-17 July Festiv Antique from 13:30 to 18:30 with 100 to 150 "Gauls" present, and a banquet (must be booked) and concert (free) on Saturday 16 July
The free car park is a good starting point for walking along the river Issoire.
Reconstruction of a Gaul village
Le pont Binot, 16500 Esse
www.coriobona-village-gaulois.fr
Facebook: Coriobona Village Gaulois
2022:
14-17 July Festiv Antique from 13:30 to 18:30 with 100 to 150 "Gauls" present, and a banquet (must be booked) and concert (free) on Saturday 16 July
The free car park is a good starting point for walking along the river Issoire.
Saint Sornin Winery 16220 - 20 miles/33 kmsThe shop is open Mon - Sat 8 am - 12 noon and 2 pm - 6 pm
There are tours of the cave (where the wine is made) from May until October on Wed and Fri mornings. There is a 2 day Fete of wine towards the end of October Cave de Saint Sornin - French |
La Colline Enchantee animal park at Hiesse - 21 miles/33 kms
La Colline Enchantee - French |
Oradour sur Glane - 21 miles/34 kms
The original village of Oradour sur Glane was destroyed on 10 June 1944, when 642 of its inhabitants, including women and children, were massacred by a German Waffen-SS company. The ruins remain as a permanent memorial. Opening times - the visitor centre (centre de la mémoire) is open from 01 Feb until 16 Dec and there is a charge. The memorial village is open every day of the year and is free. Oradour sur Glane - a national memorial to the innocents |
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La Rochefoucauld
The stunning Chateau de la Rochefoucauld is open: - in January and February: open only on Sunday at 2pm. - from March 1 to December 31: everyday, except on Tuesday, from 10am to 7pm. There are self-guided tours and the chance to dress up in costumes. www.angouleme-tourism.co.uk TripAdvisor - Chateau de la Rochefoucauld Open-air market on Wednesdays and Saturdays |
Verteuil-sur-Charente 16510 - 33 miles/53 kms
Pretty village overlooked by a grand chateau (not open for visitors)
Verteuil-sur-Charente – a hidden gem of a village
Photos of Verteil-sur-Charente - www.abandoned-France.org
Pretty village overlooked by a grand chateau (not open for visitors)
Verteuil-sur-Charente – a hidden gem of a village
Photos of Verteil-sur-Charente - www.abandoned-France.org
Nanteuil en Vallée - 35 miles/57 kms
Pretty village with several restaurants, church and abbey, and many waymarked walks. What's on in Nanteuil en Vallée 2017 |
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Angouleme
Capital of the Charente
Daily market at Le Marché des Halles, Place Victor Hugo, 07:00 - 13:00, particularly busy on Sundays.
angouleme.fr/tourisme/
www.lacharente.com - Angouleme
A local's guide to Angouleme - The Guardian March 2022
Cartoon murals are a feature of Angouleme and you can download an App to help you find them (25 as at 2022).
Classic car racing around the ramparts takes place every September - see Circuit des Remparts.
Running through Angouleme, discover the coulée verte, a 20 km "green corridor" towpath along the river Charente, between Saint-Yrieix-sur-Charente and Nersac.
Capital of the Charente
Daily market at Le Marché des Halles, Place Victor Hugo, 07:00 - 13:00, particularly busy on Sundays.
angouleme.fr/tourisme/
www.lacharente.com - Angouleme
A local's guide to Angouleme - The Guardian March 2022
Cartoon murals are a feature of Angouleme and you can download an App to help you find them (25 as at 2022).
Classic car racing around the ramparts takes place every September - see Circuit des Remparts.
Running through Angouleme, discover the coulée verte, a 20 km "green corridor" towpath along the river Charente, between Saint-Yrieix-sur-Charente and Nersac.
Brantome - 39 miles/62 kms
Pretty town with riverside restaurants, caves, an abbey and a large weekly market (Friday 9 am - 12 noon) Brantome Insiders Guide - English |
Saint-Simon - 50 miles/80 km
A barge trip can be taken on the Charente river from the village of Saint-Simon (west of Angouleme) in the summer - 2021 season 03 July -18 October. 8 euros for the 1h30 round trip (adults), boats leave at 10:30, 14:30 and 16:15 (but check - reservation may be necessary), every day except Tuesdays. Balade fluviale La Renaissance |
Pompadour, Arnac-Pompadour - 54 miles/87 kms
The chateau looks over the park and race course. Equestrian events are held throughout the year, entrance is sometimes free. Chateau de Pompadour - English Horse racing at Pompadour Equestrian events 2014 |
Saint Simon 16120 - 50 miles/80 kms
Start of boat trips along the Charente river in a traditional Gabarre Boat trips along the River Charente from the gabarre village of Saint Simon www.lacharente.com - Saint Simon |
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne 16390 - 57 miles/91 kms
One of the 151 prettiest villages in France, and the only one in the Charente. The most beautiful villages of the Poitou-Charentes |