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Explore France Holiday Guides Charente guide 2008-2009 Charente-Limousine
| Charente-Limousine |
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| Tuesday, 18 March 2008 | |
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Recharge your batteries
in the lakes and rivers
of the Charente-
Limousine and explore
the unspoilt scenery on
foot, horseback or
mountain bike.
Ancient buildings are much in evidence in the
Charente-Limousine. Fans of old stones will
love the Romanesque churches, Roman baths,
ancient bridges, fortified houses and humbler
farm buildings. Many have survived from the
Middle Ages and beyond. The well-preserved
medieval town of Confolens is one of the jewels in
this area’s crown, along with some fine châteaux,
the scenes of long-gone feudal squabbles.  Local architecture uses granite and rounded tiles, giving a warm southern feel to the scenery. Built as a citadel at the confluence of the rivers Vienne and the Goire, Confolens was an important river port, and prospered on the trade in salt, wood and skins. A number of fine buildings still reflect this wealth: the church of Saint- Barthélémy and the timberframed houses in the Rue du Soleil, Rue de Pinaguet and Portes d’Ansac. Built as a citadel at the confluence of the rivers Vienne and the Goire, Confolens was an important river port, and prospered on the trade in salt, wood and skins. A number of fine buildings still reflect this wealth: the church of Saint-Barthélémy and the timber-framed houses in the Rue du Soleil, Rue de Pinaguet and Portes d’Ansac.  On a rock overlooking the Vienne and Issoire valleys, the 12th- and 15th-century fortress of Saint-Germain-de-Confolens is visible from miles around. You can explore the cellars, the towers with arrow-slits, loopholes and vaulted chambers. On foot or bicycle, you can take in some of the main attractions of this pretty village, the nearby Romanesque church laid to the plan of a Greek cross, the Tanners’ house and the medieval bridge. Around the village, châteaux, churches, keeps and many other venerable buildings are still intact. Part of the commune of Roumazières-Loubert, the Château de Peyras has towered over the Charente valley since the 13th century. Originally built as a look-out post over the ford, it was the family seat of the lords of Roumazières. The 15thcentury residence is intact, with its roof beams laid to the pattern of an upturned ship. You can still see the Romanesque arches of the guard room in the 12thcentury tower and the spiral staircase, built inside the thickness of one of the massive chapel walls.  The village of Brigueil played an important part in the Gauls’ struggle against the Roman legions and, later, in the Wars of Religion. After passing through two 15th-century portals, you can admire the 11thto 15th-century fortified Romanesque church, the Logis de l’Espérance with its Renaissance gateway, the old château courtyard, the 12th-century monument to the dead, the round tower of Quiterne and the curious pyramid-shaped fountain. In Lesterps, the next-door commune, the 11thcentury abbey church has an unusual porch tower. In summer, the village hosts an accordion festival. Chassenon was built in 1AD from rock fragments after the crash of a meteorite, where the the ancient Roman Lyon-Saintes and Périgueux- Poitiers roads crossed. Besides the remarkable Roman baths, the sanctuary houses temples, a theatre and forum.
The river Vienne and its streams
offer plenty of opportunities for
bathing and angling, sailing,
canoeing, rafting and pedalo rides. In
the heat of summer, you can cycle,
ramble or ride in the cool shade
alongside the lakes and rivers.
Get off the beaten
track and go for a
hands-on-handlebars
view of the area. With
the Vélo Rail, you can
explore the Charente-
Limousine on special
bicycles adapted to the
old railway lines.
Entertainment
Saint-Germain-de-Confolens has a popular
accordion festival in July. On August 23, Saint-
Barthélémy’s day, a grand animal fair dating back
more than a century is one of the most picturesque
events in Confolens, with a sheep show, a fair, cycle
race and melon fête. 
Further information: Office de Tourisme du
Confolentais, Place des Marronniers, 16500
Confolens. |
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