Milly's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Officially listed as one of « The Most Beautiful Villages in France» since 1993, it has welcomed tourists for over 1000 years. Two important historical monuments add to the cultural status of Aubeterre sur Dronne; the extraordinary, monolithic, underground Church of St Jean and the Romanesque Church of St Jacques, with its stunning façade.Visitors and tourists can enjoy meandering through the ups and downs of the narrow streets, popping in to admire the many specialist shops, including a leather worker and potters, and then settling down in the village square, Place Trarieux, at one of the cafés or restaurants, comfortably shaded by ancient lime trees.For the energetic visitor there are activities aplenty. Aubeterre sur Dronne has been designated a “Station Verte” for over 25 years. At the foot of the village, where the meadows meet the River Dronne, are to be found a river beach where you can swim, restaurant and a canoeing centre.
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Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Officially listed as one of « The Most Beautiful Villages in France» since 1993, it has welcomed tourists for over 1000 years. Two important historical monuments add to the cultural status of Aubeterre sur Dronne; the extraordinary, monolithic, underground Church of St Jean and the Romanesque Church of St Jacques, with its stunning façade.Visitors and tourists can enjoy meandering through the ups and downs of the narrow streets, popping in to admire the many specialist shops, including a leather worker and potters, and then settling down in the village square, Place Trarieux, at one of the cafés or restaurants, comfortably shaded by ancient lime trees.For the energetic visitor there are activities aplenty. Aubeterre sur Dronne has been designated a “Station Verte” for over 25 years. At the foot of the village, where the meadows meet the River Dronne, are to be found a river beach where you can swim, restaurant and a canoeing centre.
Chalais is our nearest town.on Mondays there is a fantastic market where you can buy food, clothes and all sorts of things. There is also a large supermarket, cafes, restaurants and of course the Chateau. The castle is open to visitors (ground floor and first floor). Historical elements (furniture, decor) have been preserved are presented in addition to the requests made by the new owner. Open weekends and public holidays from May 1 to June 15, Tuesday to Sunday from 16 June to 30 September. Price: 4 and 8 euros. Information +33 6 12 33 32 76.
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Chalais
Chalais is our nearest town.on Mondays there is a fantastic market where you can buy food, clothes and all sorts of things. There is also a large supermarket, cafes, restaurants and of course the Chateau. The castle is open to visitors (ground floor and first floor). Historical elements (furniture, decor) have been preserved are presented in addition to the requests made by the new owner. Open weekends and public holidays from May 1 to June 15, Tuesday to Sunday from 16 June to 30 September. Price: 4 and 8 euros. Information +33 6 12 33 32 76.
When Lake Guizengeard was first mentioned in my entourage, I thought it was an imaginary place straight out of a Lord of the Rings setting. So the adventurous explorer in me, always in search of the unexpected, looked for and found this mysterious place nestled in the heart of an immense forest on the border of Charente-Maritime and Sud-Charente . It is an idyllic place. A blue lake where the color of the water is as intense as it is surprising. We hardly do better in terms of hiking scenery. Change of scenery guaranteed!
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Guizengeard
When Lake Guizengeard was first mentioned in my entourage, I thought it was an imaginary place straight out of a Lord of the Rings setting. So the adventurous explorer in me, always in search of the unexpected, looked for and found this mysterious place nestled in the heart of an immense forest on the border of Charente-Maritime and Sud-Charente . It is an idyllic place. A blue lake where the color of the water is as intense as it is surprising. We hardly do better in terms of hiking scenery. Change of scenery guaranteed!
Just 30 minutes from us is Angouleme. If you fancy a busy day out, there’s plenty to do and see as well as great Shopping!
Things to see:
Old Angoulême
The City Hall
Saint-Pierre Cathedral
Saint-André church
The Comic Strip Museum
Le Nil Paper Museum
Les Halles Market
The banks of the River Charente
Angoulême museum
The Memorial to the Resistance and Deportation in the Loire
Things to do:
Have a drink in the Place des Halles market square
Walk the ramparts and admire the view
Seek out the city’s many painted walls
Take a river boat trip on the Charente
Go shopping in Les Halles market
Get a coffee on Place Francis Louvel (the square outside the Law Courts)
Enjoy a performance at the theatre
Attend the Comics Festival in January
Attend the Musiques Métisses world music festival in June
Attend the French Language Film Festival in August
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Angoulême
Just 30 minutes from us is Angouleme. If you fancy a busy day out, there’s plenty to do and see as well as great Shopping!
Things to see:
Old Angoulême
The City Hall
Saint-Pierre Cathedral
Saint-André church
The Comic Strip Museum
Le Nil Paper Museum
Les Halles Market
The banks of the River Charente
Angoulême museum
The Memorial to the Resistance and Deportation in the Loire
Things to do:
Have a drink in the Place des Halles market square
Walk the ramparts and admire the view
Seek out the city’s many painted walls
Take a river boat trip on the Charente
Go shopping in Les Halles market
Get a coffee on Place Francis Louvel (the square outside the Law Courts)
Enjoy a performance at the theatre
Attend the Comics Festival in January
Attend the Musiques Métisses world music festival in June
Attend the French Language Film Festival in August
Fancy some horse riding? Five minutes away is this fantastic stables . They speak English and they can do hacks for chidren from 3 onwards, as well as lessons.
Out in the country rides are available for people that have some experience.
prices from 13€+
Stables Des Chênes
Chez MartinFancy some horse riding? Five minutes away is this fantastic stables . They speak English and they can do hacks for chidren from 3 onwards, as well as lessons.
Out in the country rides are available for people that have some experience.
prices from 13€+
Perched on its hill, the medieval fortress of Villebois-Lavalette and its fortification flanked by six round towers, has a vast panoramic view of the surrounding country.
In the heart of the village, below the castle, the magnificent 17th-century covered market hall host a market every Saturday.
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Villebois-Lavalette
Perched on its hill, the medieval fortress of Villebois-Lavalette and its fortification flanked by six round towers, has a vast panoramic view of the surrounding country.
In the heart of the village, below the castle, the magnificent 17th-century covered market hall host a market every Saturday.
Another Great Lake! Not far from us is Étang Vallière Lake. Perfect for a day out. Swim, play mini golf and have a bite to eat in the Clubhouse.
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Étang Vallier
Another Great Lake! Not far from us is Étang Vallière Lake. Perfect for a day out. Swim, play mini golf and have a bite to eat in the Clubhouse.
Renowned for its brandy, the city of Cognac is situated on both sides of the Charente river and benefits from a pleasant setting. Besides its famous speciality, Cognac has preserved a number of historic houses, buildings and monuments, such as the Valois castle, the Saint-Jacques gateway flanked by twin machicolated, round towers, and the Saint-Léger church built in the 12th century, evidence of its rich past.
The Château of Cognac, in which François I was born in 1494, has been home to the company Otard Cognacs since 1795. The Château is open to the public and offers such treasures as a Governor's Lodge, several Renaissance rooms, a Helmet Room and of course cellars full of Cognac.
Dedicated to the popular arts and traditions of the Cognac and the surrounding countryside, the Cognac museum, situated in the Dupuy d'Angeac mansion, also exhibits collections of ceramic, archaeology, decorative arts and fine art, such as paintings and sculptures.
The Arts of Cognac museum, housed in the Perrin de Boussac mansion, recounts the history of Cognac (the brandy) and explains its production process through an exhibition of objects and documents.
Several important Cognac houses are open to the public for brandy cellar visits and tastings.
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Cognac
Renowned for its brandy, the city of Cognac is situated on both sides of the Charente river and benefits from a pleasant setting. Besides its famous speciality, Cognac has preserved a number of historic houses, buildings and monuments, such as the Valois castle, the Saint-Jacques gateway flanked by twin machicolated, round towers, and the Saint-Léger church built in the 12th century, evidence of its rich past.
The Château of Cognac, in which François I was born in 1494, has been home to the company Otard Cognacs since 1795. The Château is open to the public and offers such treasures as a Governor's Lodge, several Renaissance rooms, a Helmet Room and of course cellars full of Cognac.
Dedicated to the popular arts and traditions of the Cognac and the surrounding countryside, the Cognac museum, situated in the Dupuy d'Angeac mansion, also exhibits collections of ceramic, archaeology, decorative arts and fine art, such as paintings and sculptures.
The Arts of Cognac museum, housed in the Perrin de Boussac mansion, recounts the history of Cognac (the brandy) and explains its production process through an exhibition of objects and documents.
Several important Cognac houses are open to the public for brandy cellar visits and tastings.
Food scene
A great place to eat with fantastic food. The café is open every day from 09.00 to 24.00. The restaurant is in the summer with the lunch open from 12:00 to 15:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00. From 15:00 to 18:00 there is a snack menu available. In winter, the kitchen is open with lunch from 12:00 until 14:00 and with dinner from 19:00 to 21:30. On Friday there is happy hour from 19:00 to 20:00. They regularly organize a pleasant evening with a live band or other special evenings. In the restaurant you can choose from a daily changing menu or 'à la carte' and the dishes are prepared with fresh local produce.
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Hotel de France
24 Pl. Ludovic TrarieuxA great place to eat with fantastic food. The café is open every day from 09.00 to 24.00. The restaurant is in the summer with the lunch open from 12:00 to 15:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00. From 15:00 to 18:00 there is a snack menu available. In winter, the kitchen is open with lunch from 12:00 until 14:00 and with dinner from 19:00 to 21:30. On Friday there is happy hour from 19:00 to 20:00. They regularly organize a pleasant evening with a live band or other special evenings. In the restaurant you can choose from a daily changing menu or 'à la carte' and the dishes are prepared with fresh local produce.
Follow the road that winds through the Charente countryside. The village of Chalais appears. You catch a glimpse of the superb 11th-century castle perched on the hill. A few more minutes before crossing the drawbridge and reaching the formidable porch. You have arrived at Le Relais du Château gastronomic restaurant.
The food is stunning and it’s perfect for a special occasion.
Le Relais du Château Chalais
15 Rue du ChâteauFollow the road that winds through the Charente countryside. The village of Chalais appears. You catch a glimpse of the superb 11th-century castle perched on the hill. A few more minutes before crossing the drawbridge and reaching the formidable porch. You have arrived at Le Relais du Château gastronomic restaurant.
The food is stunning and it’s perfect for a special occasion.
One of our favourite places to eat! Fantastic French food and an amazing view of the race track. They also have a kids menu.
Le Bistrot du Circuit
One of our favourite places to eat! Fantastic French food and an amazing view of the race track. They also have a kids menu.