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Angouleme

Visit Angouleme, Poitou-Charentes

Angouleme is 130 kilometres north-east of Bordeaux, in the Charente department of Poitou-Charentes where the town overlooks the Charente River. Standing on a rocky promontory, Angouleme is surrounded by large boulevards which stand above the original ramparts that protected the town.

Exploring Angouleme

Around the heart of Angouleme historic centre there are more than two kilometres of the ramparts remaining intact, while the boulevards that follow the walls are wide, open streets with good views across the surrounding countryside.

Start your visit near the Tourist Information Centre towards the east of the centre, and the 19th century market halls, a good example of the iron and glass buildings of the period.

From here you can head into the town centre and the Town Hall, one of the most important monuments in Angouleme. The Town Hall was built on the site of an earlier chateau, of which just two towers now remain and are incorporated into the Town Hall building. The towers date from the 13th and 15th centuries, while the remainder of the building was constructed in the 19th century.

The other side of the square in front of the Town hall you can see the elegant facade of the Hotel Saint-Simon, a 16th century townhouse with an ornately decorated facade.

Close by you can see the neo-classical style Palace of Justice and the Church of Saint-Andre. The church was originally built in the 12th century although substantial additions are in the later gothic style and the facada dates from a 19th century reconstruction. Near the church take a look at the curious 'lanterne des morts'.

The Theatre, on the southern side of the Place New York, has a decorative facade and was also built in the 19th century.

Heading along the ramparts on the southern side of the centre you will reach the cathedral. The roman style Cathedral of Saint Peter dates back 900 years but has been altered a great deal since. It is the ornately decorated facade that holds the most interest, with 70 carvings depicting the story of the Ascension and the Final Judgement.

Continuing westwards the Chapel of the Cordeliers is part of what was once an important monastic settlement here - you can also see traces of the cloisters.

Elsewhere in the town you will come across lots of other interesting buildings such as churches and chapels and several grand townhouses, and a good number of shops and cafes in the open squares and the pedestrianised streets.

A nice way to continue your tour of the centre of Angouleme is to continue via Place Beaulieu, with its far-reaching views across the town and river, then take a stroll through the extensive park under the ramparts to the west, which also includes various sculptures, water features and an animal park, then follow your way back through the town, along the ramparts to the north and through the streets around the Place du Minage, where you can see several interesting townhouses.

Angouleme Museums

There are also several museums in the town, including a Museum of Fine Arts and an Archaeology Museum. These are grouped together as the Museum of Angouleme in the town centre.

Down by the river you can visit the Museum of Paper (the wealth of Angouleme was based on the paper industry), and also the Museum of Comic Books.

Angouleme Comics

The high point in the calendar of Angouleme is the International Comic festival that is held in the town each January. This important event also explains why you will sometimes come across walls painted in cartoon or trompe l'oeil style as you explore the town. The focus of this popular event is the group of buildings near the Paper Museum.

Attractions nearby

After exploring the old town in Angouleme, complete your visit with a stroll along the banks of the Charente, or with a boat trip to see more of the picturesque scenery along the river.

Tourist classifications for Angouleme: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*; Listed town of Art and History;

Suggested places to visit near Angouleme, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: La Rochefoucauld 20km; Villebois-Lavalette 23km; Marthon 24km; Jarnac 25km; Bayers 29km; Tusson 30km; Barbezieux 32km; Verteuil-sur-Charente 35km; Cognac 37km; Nanteuil-en-Vallee 39km; Ruffec 40km; Nontron 43km; Aubeterre-sur-Dronne 44km; Riberac 49km; Bourdeilles 51km; Brantome 52km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Angouleme

Angouleme tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Cathédrale Saint Pierre (Angouleme) - religious monument (2km) : Eglise de Saint Michel (Saint-Michel) - religious monument (4km) : Eglise de Saint Vincent (Puymoyen) - religious monument (7km) : Eglise de Notre Dame (Trois-Palis) - religious monument (8km) : Eglise de Saint Jean-Baptiste (La Couronne) - religious monument (8km) : Logis de Forge - remarkable garden (13km) : Eglise de Saint Cybard (Roullet-Saint-Estephe) - religious monument (13km) : Eglise de Notre Dame (Voulgezac) - religious monument (18km) :