Visit Charente

Roumazières-Loubert (km 0)

The city of clay

This is the land of the tile makers, the brick makers and potters. The mottled and coloured clay (light yellow, dark yellow, ochre, brown) has been plentiful since Neolithic times.
Man has made use of it and even today much of French tile production is centred here. Red tiles cover the town and makes the walls !

Tourist office : +33 5 45 71 72 30

Massignac (km 17)

The lakes of the upper Charente

The woods, the hedged fields and the two great lakes of Lavaud and Mas Chaban offer a vast area of some 350 hectares for getting away from it all : rambling or on mountain bike, cyclo-cross, bathing, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing Adventurers young and old can also take to the trees at the Aventure Parc.
Maison des Lacs : +33 5 45 65 26 69

Tourist office : +33 5 45 65 26 69

Cherves-Chatelars (km 29)

Castellenaies and mountain flowers

At the confluence of the Bonnieure and the Croutelle, the castellanies of Cherves and Châtelars were united at the time of the Revolution.
The small village, surrounded by forests, contains the ruins of a Cluniac priory, Châtelars where the storied capitals remain, and nearby, a 12th century Romanesque church. The moisture in the banks of the Bonniure provide ideal ground for wild buttercups, campanula, bluebells and wild lilies to thrive.

Tourist office : +33 5 45 65 26 69

Suaux (km 37)

The castle

This massive building was constructed in the 16th century by the marquis of Chesse.

Things to see : the 16th and 17th century frescoes.
Telephone beforehand : +33 5 45 71 25 18

Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure (km 43)

The Memorial Cross

During the Second World War, the maquis in the Charente was very active around Chasseneuil (the vast dense forests provided shelter). The Memorial to the Resistance, built on a hill, is a reminder of the bitter struggle by the men of the "army of shadows". 2255 resistance fighters of all denominations lie buried in the cemetery while 22 leaders of the Resistance are buried in the Memorial crypt.
Info : +33 5 45 39 60 71

Also to be seen : the maison de la Resistance where memorabilia of the Bir Hakeim maquis are on display.

Tourist Office, Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure : +33 5 45 39 60 71

Saint-Mary (km 48)

The castle

Set on a spur of rock at the confluence of the Bonnieure and a stream called the Marillac, the 18th century castle is worth the visit, among others, for its formal gardens.
Info : +33 5 45 94 31 05

Cross the forest of Belair to reach the next stage Cellefrouin : the coppices of hornbeam and sweet chestnut stand in a sea of heather and gorse.

Cellefrouin (km 57)

The church of Saint-Nicolas, earliest Romanesque architecture

Founded round about the year one thousand (it is one of the oldest in the Angoumois area), the church appears to be bogged down as a result of the rising level of the ground.
Step inside
The nave and bays are supported on massive pillars, the capitals are covered in naïve sculptures of foliage and animal heads, the vaulted half dome apse is flanked by two absidal chapels for deambulation.

Also to be seen : the fine graveyard lantern, topped by a cone covered in stone scales.

Alloue (km 78)

Maria Casarès and the Actor's House

Maria Casarès loved this village in the Charente Limousin. At the domaine de la Vergne, she worked on her roles, recharged her batteries. At her death, she bequeathed her house to the commune. Today, the Actor's House is a residence for artists where shows are performed. There is a festival in early July.

Hiesse (km 86)

Animals from here and elsewhere

Be ready for surprising and outlandish meetings in the 11 hectares wildlife park : llamas, bison, porcupines, chickens and ducks live together at the Colline Enchantée.
Info : +33 5 45 61 35 52

Confolens, medieval city (km 91)

Standing at the confluence of the Vienne and the Goire, Confolens has always been a strategic place. But the town really developed during the Middle Ages. The town has preserved several features from this period including fine half-timbered houses, a rue du Soleil which never sees the sun, a helter-skelter street, a keep, a pont Vieux, squat, slightly humpbacked, across the Vienne...

Also to be seen :

• the house of the Duke d'Epernon where the escape of Marie de Médicis, then a prisoner in Blois castle, was prepared.
• the Fontorse quarter (which is reached by the Pont Vieux) and its splendid 18th century fountain.

To be tasted :

• the Kroumirs, a local speciality made with grilled almonds and chocolate.