Ten minutes away is the small market town of Villebois Lavalette which boasts one of the oldest covered markets in the country (nearly 900 years old) under which is held a small local market every Saturday morning, filled with fresh produce of every description and when the market has gone you can sit and have a drink or dinner served by the nearby restaurant La Lavalettte. Villebois is dominated by a beautiful medieval château, with its turrets and a thousand years of history - quite beautiful and the walk uphill will get you fit!
Angouleme, capital of Charente area is not a massive town, however it has its own airport with flights to/from Stansted. The old town centre is built on a plateau which overlooks the Charente river and the out-lying modern parts. The narrow cobbled streets wind around the 19th century market and are full of atmosphere and include the Mairie and the Cathedral. The renowned vintage car rally called ‘Circuits des Ramparts’ is held here each September.
See this blogspot: www.liveincharente.blogspot:
Cognac and Jarnac where there are several brandy houses to visit are only half an hour East of Angoulême. The picturesque river town of Brantome (the Venice of the Perigord) is about 20k distance and you can hire a canoe and paddle downstream to Bourdeilles. Half an hour further on is Perigeux a beautiful small city with many medieval buildings. A little further south are the prehistoric caves of the Dordogne and the wine areas of Bergerac and Bordeaux. St.Emilion is a pretty hillside town which is an absolute must for a visit, and home of one of the most famous red wines of the area. Visit Bordeaux where medieval and modern architecture sit side by side; the wonderful Bordeaux Law Courts designed by the British Architect Richard Rogers are located in the heart of the historic core of Bordeaux, near the medieval cathedral and form a backdrop to the imposing Neo-Classical Palais de Justice facing the Place de la République.
Later in the year the wonderful autumnal colours, the smell of burning oak from the wood fires and the sight of a thousand ‘grues’ flying south for winter, make for a truly memorable stay at Le Tilleuil. A quiet spell enjoying the warm sunny September/ October days sampling the wonderful regional foods, or combined with walking in the forests or cycling on the quiet country roads and then a night in with a good bottle of wine will ensure you are rested and recharged ready to go back to the hustle and bustle of the ‘real world’.
What variety we have, beautiful countryside, ancient towns, châteaux, history, sports, relaxation, good food, fine wine, a cosy farmhouse, so much to see and do, or not if you so choose - it will certainly be a holiday to remember!
(Please, do not hesitate to contact owner for website link or further information and more details).
Other Activities:
canoeing
