B&B 1 Bedroom Manor (PC002295)

Eating Out

'Food and Drink'
"Gastronomers can do themselves justice in this region! Foie gras, truffles, magret de canard, oysters and cheese are typical of the Charente cuisine. And, of course, there's the famous Cognac and Pineau de Charente. In addition the region produces a number of excellent wines. There are a fantastic range of food markets selling fabulous fresh produce. There is a great variety of restaurants from reasonably priced lunch menus and 'plat du jour' to a wonderful local Michelin star hotel nestling on the banks of the river in a magical location."

Local Area and Activities

'Angouleme'
"Angouleme has a good variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. It is known as the capital of ‘Bande Dessinee’ – comic strips – which adorn some buildings and are a spectacle to be seen. In September the ‘Circuit des Ramparts’ takes place – vintage racing cars take to the streets."

'Architecture'
"The nearby village is centred around an ancient church. Each village in the Charente has its own character and history, and as ours is one of the more important in the commune, it has its own Mairie which is a lovely, typically Charentaise stone building. Limestone is the material of the architecture in the Charente and you can see exquisite Romanesque sculptures which adorn the Western facades of many churches and houses in the area. "

'Chateauneuf-sur-Charente'
"Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, 4km, is at the heart of Cognac country with 3 of the 6 official vintages of the Cognac region, Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne and Fins Bois being produced in the district. The ancient and traditional methods of producing Cognac and Pineau have ensured that the quality of the wines has been maintained and coopers, wine growers, specialist transporters as well as other businesses have based themselves here for centuries. This small town is coiled in a meander of the River Charente. It has some interesting religious buildings. It is also worth finding the old the port, formerly used for the transport of the cognacs of Cognac, as well as the bath of the ladies of dancing waters. A market is held in Chateauneuf each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. "

'Cognac'
"Come and sample the ‘eau-de-vie’. No-one could come to the Charente without going to the world famous town of Cognac which can be found on the banks of the River Charente. Famous for its “eau-de-vie” wines and spirits, you will definitely want a ‘taster’ on your trip to the Charente. The Hennessey cognac factory offers tours and a trip by boat to their storage buildings. There is a museum of the region which explains the history and entry is free. There are beautiful public gardens and river walks. Take a trip on a gabarre - a barge orginally used to carry cognac barrels. "

'Gabarres'
"In the 17th century the barrels of cognac and pineau were transported on the Charente on flat bottomed boats called gabarres which made it possible to sail the liqueur down the river to La Rochelle where it would travel on to northern countries such as England. The design of the gabarre in recent years has been modified for use as a pleasure boat and trips are offered by several firms during the summer months. The nearest is only 2km distant. "

'Historical Places of Interest'
"The Charente has a rich heritage of culture and architecture. There are many castles, forts, museums, lovely Roman churches, picturesque towns and villages that are well worth a visit. Only 15 minutes away is a magnificent amphitheatre. In Saintes (30 minutes) there are many Roman remains, including a wonderfull amphitheatre which offers performances throughout the summer. (Sorry no gladiators or Christians being thrown to lions!). The Charente is steeped in history from the 2nd World War where the Cockleshell Heroes navigated the River Gironde from Bordeaux to Ruffec (30 minutes away). There is the Memorial of Resistance at Chasseneiul, Oradour-sur-Glane (10 June 1944 tragedy of a whole village – very moving)."

'The Vélo-Rail Experience'
"Cycling with a difference! If you want more entertainment than exercise then we’ve found the perfect thing for you to try! It’s called the Vélo-Rail (bicycle-rail) which can be found on an ancient railway line in the Charente-Limousine that stretches 32km. There are 2 main routes you can take, Roumazières to Manot or Confolens to Manot return. The open section has a 17km length. It furrows the high Charente and the highlands of Charente-Limousine between viaducts, rivers and brooks, meadows and forests. The bicycle-rail is a machine with 4 wheels and pedals especially suited to cycle on the railroad. 5 passengers can take seats comfortably. 2 of them pedal while the 3 others are free to admire the stunning landscape. The saddles are adjustable which allows its use for children from 8 years upwards. "

'Watersports'
"The house is only 1km from the River Charente where canoes are available for hire. The beaches at Royan are 75 minutes away by car or you can get there by means of a relaxing train journey from nearby Chateauneuf-sur-Charente. La Rochelle is a similar distance. Much closer are the man-made beaches of the Charente River at Chateauneuf-sur-Charente, 10 minutes and the Nautilus complex at Angouleme, 20 minutes which has an indoor swimming pool with slides, watersports facilities and a lake for swimming outdoors. "

Markets and Shopping

'Cognac Market'
"In Cognac in the Place François I you will find many cafés, restaurants, shops and banks. It leads to the heart of the town via the Rue d’Angoulême and the Place d’Armes where you will find an impressive covered market, inspired by the 19th century “halles” of the architect Victor Baltard. The market is open every day until 1pm."