Linden LodgeStays
Things to do
Charente is a treasure trove packed with cultural phenomena. With a network of fresh water lakes and rivers, a rich array of historic buildings, some of the most famous castles in France, and festivals galore – the music of Chopin, the modern artsfestival of Royan, jazz, cartoons and a vintage car rally – there is something for everyone. There is some inspiration below and more ideas on www.charente-limousine.fr
Castles
If you are a romantic and love fairy stories, tales of derring-do and courtly adventures, you will love it here - because we have lots of castles!
​
La Rochefoucauld (top) has stunning rooms to visit, and Angoulême's imposing Valois Tower fascinates with its connection to the renaissance icon Marguerite of Angoulême. The private castle in Verteuil (left) is so picturesque, it makes your heart sing. Tea and brioche on the terrace of Le Moulin by the river is a treat.
​
Other famous edifices are Château Royal de Cognac, the Château de Chalais with its relais restaurant, and the Château de la Mercerie, the fantasy of two brothers who vowed never to marry, leaving the chateau heirless and in the hands of 350 volunteers who have returned it to its original glory.
Lakes, rivers, streams...
Sitting on volcanic rock and springs, the Charente region is richly resourced with rivers and lakes that will make your heart sing.
With the rivers of Charente, the Vienne and the Tardoire running through many towns, and the Lacs du Charente nearby - a network of pleasure lakes, many of them with beaches, cafes and quiet picnic spots – you can indulge your love of swimming, kayaking and boating.
In the picturesque town of Confolens (see our picture) you can hire canoes and paddle to St Germain, where you can eat lunch and then call the canoe centre to pick you up. In Roumazières-Loubert experienced anglers can rent Barn View Lake for carp fishing
Set in 70 acres of parkland in St Yirieux-sur-Charente (30mins), the Grand Prairie Lake offers a swimming beach, sailing, boat hire and canoeing, a jogging track, picnic areas, and 20km of walking along the Charente. The lake at Massignac (25mins), with its beach and tranquil environment is also superb.
Barn View Lake
Heaven for touring
Hiking and touring are famous pursuits here, whether your 'thing' is biking, cycling or hiking. With car-free cycle routes between fields of wheat and sunflowers, circuits pass through villages, where you can stop for lunch by a river or stream. Zen moments abound here.
In the west the award-winning Vélodyssée takes in 1200 km of coastline from Roscoff to Hendaye, and the Loopi Velo system, connects all cycle routes, so you can join existing ones or create your own. Bikehiredirect delivers bikes and helmets to your door in Charente, so you can enjoy a tour even you arrived bikeless. They advise to enquire by email only and to give two days notice.
Motorcyclists can use the Liberty Rider app to find beautiful circuits. The 'Three Faces of Charente' is one. We have free parking for bikes and bicycles.
​
Hikers will find the Komoot app handy for choosing circuits, some of which go round lakes with beaches for a swim, or you can join a local randonnée dinatoire, in which a village circuit is walked and a meal eaten midway at long trestle tables. It's all very civilised!
Markets
Even though most people grow their own produce here, the French still love their local markets – they are a real institution and often a treat – and Angoulême has 14!
Fresh food markets are normally held in the morning from 8am to 12 midday, with some being daily. General markets may still be open in the afternoons. Our market is on Friday mornings. Be sure to try the local melons and cheeses.
​
Montbron stages a night market on the first friday of August, with stalls, food and entertainment. Take your own cutlery, choose which dish to eat from the eateries around, and sit at the long trestle tables to dine – a jolly way to spend an evening!
​
If you are into browsing for antiques look for vide maisons (house clearances) over vide greniers (professionals), as the former are casual house clearances, and that is where the real bargains are! Insider tip: before your journey join Marketplace and Items for Sale in Charente and the surrounding areas on Facebook, as they are advertised there. Driving out to them will often take you through lovely places.
credit@jeux du pots
credit@jeux du pots
Charcuterie and caviar on a tomato and smoked
paprika gazpacho with chilli oil. Jeux du Pots
Restaurants
With so many icons of French cuisine based in the region – 8 starred Michelin chefs – we have wonderful restaurants to visit. Here are some of our favourites:
​
La Toscane in Montbron, 25mins away: Italian with a lovely ambiance in terraced seating under a giant wisteria. A savvy young team provides excellent service.
​
Restaurant Le Saint Jean in Nanteuil, 15mins away – convivial eaterie near the abbey where you can take in a concert or exhibition. Jovial, skilled staff present three menus at different price levels, and a wine list to match.
​
Jeux du Pots restaurant by the river in Verteuil, 25 mins away – a classy, friendly place with a menu that always delights. The owner is the Maitre D', and she has made every meal for us there truly special.
​
Café Portebleue in the town square of Verteuil – a roaring log fire awaits you in this cosy space, where the chef makes the best of local ingredients.
​
Le Moulin in the shadow of the chateau in La Rochefoucauld, offers casual dining on a gracious terrace overlooking a roaring weir. You will not want to leave.
If you like exploring iconic drinks, then you must try pineau and cognac. Pineau can be found everywhere and you can book a tasting, or stop spontaneusly at one of the producers dotted around. Pineau Rouge is especially good when chilled and served with melon wrapped in parma ham.
Curvoisier, Martell, Hennessey, Rémy Martin and Château Royal in the pleasing town of Cognac, just 40mins away, offer brandy tours and blending workshops. When we first visited Bisquit (now owned by Hennessey) we bought a bottle of Château de Linière, costing €20 euros then, but rising 10 years later to €400! Quite a return!
Festivals
Charente is renowned for its festivals. In the world of music there is something special for everyone: Chopin concerts in his one-time home of Nohant; Violon sur le Sable in Royan; The Madhatter's Wonderland music festival; the folklore dance festival in Confolens; and the festivals of Jazz and World Music in Angoulême.
Mixed arts of all forms are celebrated in the Festival of Royan; in the Francophone Film Festival in August 80 films will be shown; and this year the Photography Festival is about the topic of emotions.
​
Other more singular events include the world famous festivals of Comics and Cartoons in Angoulême in January (the Museum of Cartoons is incredible); and in July the Grand Medieval Fayre in La Rochefoucauld with costumed knights, jousting, food and displays. Do take a picnic along – they have trestle tables.
Quirky things to do
If you like to do things which are a little bit different, then Charente is definitely the place for you.
You can do a walking tour to see 20 pieces of commissioned graffiti located around Angoulême. While on the walk, you may spot other pieces of art – painted post boxes and dustbins for example.
​
In autumn there is the famous vintage car race around the ramparts of the city, and you can attend the Gastronomade – a winter weekend dedicated to all things culinary: you can meet chefs, artisans, producers, journalists and gourmands for news, debates and demonstrations – or visit the spice shops of Bordeaux, around the Basilique St Michel by the water.
In the Valley of Monkeys in Romagne you will find a wildlife park of more than 15 hectares, where over 450 monkeys live semi-wild, and which have given birth to 700 baby monkeys since it opened. Nearby is 'Aventures Parc', a high-tech waterpark with 40 attractions including rides, games, and robotic displays.
