Le Sud Charente: Land of vineyards and rural charm

The South of Charente, presentation of a magnificent tourist region

This is no surprise, it is located south of Charente, south of Angoulême which constitutes the capital of the department. Made up of 91 municipalities, it is mainly rural, located 45 minutes from Bordeaux and 1 hour from the main beaches. Landscapes, heritage, local specialties and sporting activities make the south of Charente a unique destination for authentic experiences. Set off to discover a region with a thousand riches and discover its history through your visits and your getaways.

South Charente, unmissable villages

One day is not enough to visit the charming villages that make up the south of Charente. Far from giving you a list of the 91 communes, here is the list of remarkable villages not to be missed:

Villebois-Lavalette, small town of character

The village can be seen from afar with its medieval castle installed on its rocky spur. A true ^13th century fortress, it dominates Villebois-Lavalette and its old ^17th century market halls. Take the time to visit it before wandering the streets to meet the artisans. On Saturday mornings, the market energizes the village and perfumes the streets with the scent of Cornuelle, the town's emblematic biscuit.

Brossac

This small village of 500 inhabitants attracts visitors to visit the remains of the Gallo-Roman villa and aqueduct. Nestled on a hill, it also offers a visit to the ^12th century Notre-Dame-de-Brossac church. Climb to the top to admire a breathtaking view of the surrounding nature. A few minutes away, the Guizengeard quarries are a real pleasure for the eyes with their unique turquoise waters.

Montmoreau

Nature lovers will love Montmoreau, a place of refuge for many animals. Stroll along the Tude and explore the Montmorélien hillsides to observe the beautiful color of the plants that change with the seasons. Two monuments are to be discovered between the Château de Montmoreau and the Saint-Denys church with a magnificent Romanesque portal from the ^12th century.

Chalais

This is a destination focused on the discovery of heritage with emblematic monuments to visit. The ^17th century Cloister of Chalais and the Château de Chalais which dominates the Tude valley are witnesses to history, stories told by passionate guides.

Barbezieux

Here you are in the largest commune in the south of Charente, made up of magnificent, remarkable ^18th century houses and private mansions. Lively and dynamic, it is labeled “stopover village” as well as “town and crafts”, and offers you an incredible visit between craftsmanship and heritage.

Coteau-du-Blanzacais

Take the time to discover this postcard-like village, nestled in the Né valley. Meeting of Blanzac-Porcheresse, Saint-Léger and Cressac-Saint-Genis, it is made up of 6 churches, a tower vestige of the castle of Blanzac and the Templar chapel of Cressac-Saint-Genis. Not all of them are open for visits, but the charm of the places is worth the detour.

Aubeterre-sur-Dronne

It's impossible not to wander through one of the prettiest villages in France with its typical white stone houses and wooden balconies. Labeled a small town of character, it is a true haven of peace in which to relax and stroll. Its typicality is its underground church, designated as the highest in Europe, which takes you on an extraordinary visit.

Baignes-Sainte-Radegonde

The village is ideal for a family day, as there are so many varied activities. Cycling on the greenway and hiking for sports enthusiasts, visit to the town, its market halls, the Sainte-Radegonde church and the Saint-Étienne abbey for history lovers, young and old will love discovering Baignes- Sainte-Radegonde in the south of Charente.

The castles of South Charente

Don't take off your shoes, we'll take you on a tour of the castles, an escapade filled with stories and anecdotes about the region.

• Bonnes Castle, built in the ^13th century, is known to many historical figures.
• The castle of Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire is an old medieval fortress from the ^11th century. It is now the center of a new theater, hosting many cultural events.
• The Villebois-Lavalette castle, surrounded by 7 towers, is a real fortress which dominates the village.
• Lussaud Castle built in the ^15th century was the site of many stories of war and friendship.
• The Château de la Mercerie in Magnac-Lavalette-Villars, also called “the little Versailles of Charente”, preserves magnificent collections of furniture and paintings.
• Chalais Castle reveals Renaissance architecture, and has a ^16th century drawbridge, still in operation, to the great surprise of visitors.

The gardens of South Charente

Take a relaxing break in a green setting, the south of Charente opens the doors of its parks and gardens to you for a soothing day.

• The Gardens of Logis de Forge in Mouthier-sur-Boëme
• The Garden at Chrimô in Condéon
• The Garden at Chiron in Barret
• The Garden of Mother Cucu in Édon
• The Coq Gardens in Montignac-le-coq
• The Irène Urbain Arboretum in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire
• The Doublorigènes Park in Saint-Vincent-Jalmoutiers
• The Blanzaguet Arboretum in Blanzaguet-Saint-Cybard

Continue with a well-deserved swim at the Vergne pond in Montmérac, at the Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Leisure Center or at the Poltrot Leisure Center.

Activities in South Charente

There is no shortage of meetings south of Angoulême.

• Saint-Jacques Festival in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne in July
• Straw Festival in Saint-Bonnet in July
• CinéAstres open-air film festival in Blanzaguet-Saint-Cybard in July
• Cherval in light: Eleanor of Aquitaine in summer
• Les Gourmand'Zic in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire in August
• European Hot Air Balloon Cup in Val-des-Vignes from August ¹ to 4
• Nuits Musicales Festival in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne in August

Specialties from the South Charente to absolutely taste

Don't leave without enjoying yourself, the south of Charente has some wonderful culinary surprises in store for you, from starter to dessert. Start with a glass of Pineau des Charente, a slightly sweet wine perfect for an aperitif. Roasted Barbezieux hen or braised Chalais veal are delicious fine and refined dishes, while Villebois-Lavalette cornuelle offers a gourmet dessert to your palate. Don't forget the digestive, the cognac will be perfect, an emblematic drink of the Charente that you absolutely must try!

Coming to South Charente

Several options are available to you to discover this magnificent region:

By car, take the A10 motorway or the N10 national road depending on your departure city. Paris is 520 km away, Bordeaux 80 km away, Angoulême 50 km away and Périgueux 60 km away.

By train, reach Montmoreau station or Chalais station from Angoulême.

By bus, the Véolia Transport Poitou Charente network takes care of the connections.

The Blalacar is another possibility if you like to travel economically and ecologically.