Angouleme City of Cathedral and Cartoons!
Once it was pottery and paper mills which made Angouleme famous but now it’s best known for it’s International Comic Strip festival and also the annual Vintage car race which takes place along the ramparts each September in this wonderful old fortified city that is Angouleme. The historic old town sits on a hill, below is the modern part.
To discover Angouleme for yourself take a walk along the ramparts. This is where you will eventually come upon the beautiful Cathedral of Saint-Pierre very much worth seeing. It was built in the 12th century and has been rebuilt 4 times since then. It has a terrific facade depicting the Last Judgement and inside there is a frieze showing the Battle of Zaragoza against the Moors.
Angouleme has been a part of the paper-making and printing industry since the 14th century. The comic strip museum is in a converted paper mill down by the river. Eating and drinking in Angouleme is a pleasure as there is a wide choice of restaurants to savour a relaxing lunch or evening meal. Chocolates are hand-made in Angouleme which you can see and sample in the Chocolaterie Letuffe at Trois-Palis.
The Circuit des Ramparts motor racing event takes place on a Sunday in mid September. There is a fantastic gathering of Bugatti’s and other valuable vehicles driving at full tilt around the circuit with it’s hairpin bends and hill climbs.
If markets are your thing there is a fresh food market held most mornings and at the Place Victor Hugo there’s a market from Tuesdays to Sundays. On the second and fourth Thursday each month there is a market at the Place du Minage.
1. Explore the Old Town
First of all park your hire car at one of the many large car parks which are sign-posted aroundAngouleme. You will love Angoulême’s winding streets, historic buildings and shops.keep going until you reach the centre ville. with winding cobbled streets of the old quarter and, from the ancient city walls, magnificent views across the valley, the river Charente glistening in the sunshine. Angouleme has many tourist attractions and things to see and do. Walk around Angouleme and trace its history. Angouleme dates back to the first century. The city walls, called Les Ramparts still stand as well as St Pierre Cathedral the spire of which can be seen from miles around. Papermaking was once Angouleme’s main industry in it’s mills, (now all but disappeared). Today, reminders of the past can be found in the older medieval style buildings and grander mansions with beautiful facades and strong wooden doors. Look out for something more modern – the 20+ walls decorated with cartoon-style murals by a variety of artists and more than 1000 street name plaques in the form of a speech bubbles. Angoulême hosts the Comic Strip festival every January.
Start your exploration of the old part of the town is Les Halles, the covered market. Inside are stalls selling wonderful fresh cheese, meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables. Visit the market in the morning to see it at it’s busiest and best! Fill the hire car for all those picnics you’ll enjoy. The tourist office is nearby so pick pick up a leaflet, in English,with a map of the old town including information of local tourist attractions, what to see and where to find it.) Many more shops and cafés can be found in and around the Rue des Postes that leads to Place F Louvel, just past the town hall. Make sure you buy some brightly coloured macaroons or canellés (small pastries with a custard centre), lovely local Angouleme specialities.
WHAT TO SEE IN ANGOULEME
2. The view: Walk along les Remparts for a view of the Charente valley. The best views are found from Rempart du Midi up to Place Beaulieu.
3. St Pierre Cathedral: an impressive example of Romanesque architecture, the spire can be seen from miles around. Originally built in the 12th century. It is most famous for its detailed 12 century façade – be sure not to miss the depiction of the Last Judgement..
4. Cordelier’s Chapel: dating back to the 14th century, in the nave is the 350 year-old tomb of Jean-Louis-Guez de Balzac a most celebrated French writer, who was born in Angoulême.
5. Musée de la bande dessinée: devoted to the art of the comic strip – the annual festival is held every January in Angoulême – this is possibly Angoulême’s most famous museum. The musuem collection contains 8,000 original drawings and over 110,000 magazines, and as well as information on France’s comic heroes, including Tin Tin and Asterix, there are exhibitions of comics from around the world including the Marvel Comics and Japanese manga.
6. Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation: the story of the French resistance during WWII both locally and nationally, using real life stories, documents and maps.
7. Vintage cars: In the third weekend of September, the old town is given over to vintage cars from all over the world who compete in Circuit des Remparts, fondly known as ‘Monaco without the sea’. A series of races is held over three days within the town and is great fun with loads of atmosphere.
TAKE A DRIVE AROUND OUTSIDE of ANGOULEME:
8. Visit the medieval town of Cognac with its narrow cobbled streets which are a mix of medieval stone as well as more elegant Renaissance facades. By the river are the many chais, old warehouses that have for many hundreds years stored barrels of maturing cognac, they have guided tours here.
9. Continue your drive on to Saintes On the river Charente. Saintes is renowned for its Roman amphitheatre built for gladiator battles. Saintes also holds a busy market each Monday. Do not miss going to Villebois-Lavalette, a town sitting on a hill and dominated by castle. Market day is on Saturday, with stalls selling local produce such as honey, bread and oysters. Your hire car will be groaning with goods for the drive back to Angouleme! Visit restored mills not far from Angoulême in the Horte-et-Tardoire valley where there are a number of mills still working and producing flour, fresh baked bread and walnut & hazelnut oil.
DRESSING UP!
10. La Rochefoucauld château: Here is a lovely chateau. Part of which dates back to 980AD but much of it was rebuilt in the 11th and 18th centuries, the solid Romanesque square in sharp contrast to the fairytale-style turret and elegant cloisters. As well as the dungeon, original kitchen and some living rooms, on the top floor is a dressing up room where children and adults can dress up in garments from medieval times.
1. Explore the Old Town
First of all park your hire car at one of the many large car parks which are sign-posted around
Angouleme. You will love Angoulême’s winding streets, historic buildings and shops.keep going until
you reach the centre ville. with winding cobbled streets of the old quarter and, from the ancient city
walls, magnificent views across the valley, the river Charente glistening in the sunshine. Angouleme has
many tourist attractions and things to see and do. Walk around Angouleme and trace its history.
Angouleme dates back to the first century. The city walls, called Les Ramparts still stand as well as
St Pierre Cathedral the spire of which can be seen from miles around. Papermaking was once Angouleme’s main
industry in it’s mills, (now all but disappeared). Today, reminders of the past can be found in the older
medieval style buildings and grander mansions with beautiful facades and strong wooden doors.Look out for
something more modern – the 20+ decorated with cartoon-style murals by a variety of artists and more tha
1000 street name plaques in the form of a speech bubbles. Angoulême hosts the Comic Strip festival every January.
Start your exploration of the old part of the town is Les Halles, the covered market. Inside are stalls
selling wonderful fresh cheese, meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables. Visit the market in the morning
to see it at it’s busiest and best! Fill the hire car for all those picnics you’ll enjoy. The tourist
office is nearby so pick pick up a leaflet, in English,with a map of the old town including information
of local tourist attractions, what to see and where to find it.) Many more shops and cafés can be found
in and around the Rue des Postes that leads to Place F Louvel, just past the town hall. Make sure you buy
some brightly coloured macaroons or canellés (small pastries with a custard centre), lovely local Angouleme
specialities.
WHAT TO SEE IN ANGOULEME
2. The view: Walk along les Remparts for a view of the Charente valley. The best views are found from
Rempart du Midi up to Place Beaulieu.
3. St Pierre Cathedral: an impressive example of Romanesque architecture, the spire can be seen from miles around.
Originally built in the 12th century. It is most famous for its detailed 12 century façade – be sure not to
miss the depiction of the Last Judgement..
4. Cordelier’s Chapel: dating back to the 14th century, in the nave is the 350 year-old tomb of Jean-Louis-Guez de Balzac
a most celebrated French writer, who was born in Angoulême.
5. Musée de la bande dessinée: devoted to the art of the comic strip – the annual festival is held every January in
Angoulême – this is possibly Angoulême’s most famous museum. The musuem collection contains 8,000 original drawings
and over 110,000 magazines, and as well as information on France’s comic heroes, including Tin Tin and Asterix, there
are exhibitions of comics from around the world including the Marvel Comics and Japanese manga.
6. Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation: the story of the French resistance during WWII both locally and nationally,
using real life stories, documents and maps.
7. Vintage cars: In the third weekend of September, the old town is given over to vintage cars from all over the world
who compete in Circuit des Remparts, fondly known as ‘Monaco without the sea’. A series of races is held over three
days within the town and is great fun with loads of atmosphere.
TAKE A DRIVe AROUND OUTSIDE ANGOULEME:
8. Visit the medieval town of Cognac with its narrow cobbled streets which are a mix of medieval stone as well as more
elegant Renaissance facades. By the river are the many chais, old warehouses that have for many hundreds years stored
barrels of maturing cognac, they have guided tours.
9. COntinue your drive to Saintes On the river Charente. Saintes is renowned for its Roman amphitheatre built for
gladiator battles. Saintes also holds a busy market each Monday. Do not miss going to Villebois-Lavalette, a town
sitting on a hill and dominated by castle. Market day is on Saturday, with stalls selling local produce such as honey,
bread and oysters. Your hire car will be groaning with goods for the drive back to Angouleme! Visit restored mills
Not Far from Angoulême in the Horte-et-Tardoire valley where there are a number of mills still working and producing
flour, fresh baked bread and walnut & hazelnut oil.
DRESSING UP!
10.La Rochefoucauld château: Here there is a lovely chateau. Part of which dates back to 980AD but much of it was
rebuilt in the 11th and 18th centuries, the solid Romanesque square in sharp contrast to the fairytale-style turret
and elegant cloisters. As well as the dungeon, original kitchen and some living rooms, On the top floor is a dressing
up room where children and adults can dress up in garments from medieval times1. Explore the Old Town
First of all park your hire car at one of the many large car parks which are sign-posted around
Angouleme. You will love Angoulême’s winding streets, historic buildings and shops.keep going until
you reach the centre ville. with winding cobbled streets of the old quarter and, from the ancient city
walls, magnificent views across the valley, the river Charente glistening in the sunshine. Angouleme has
many tourist attractions and things to see and do. Walk around Angouleme and trace its history.
Angouleme dates back to the first century. The city walls, called Les Ramparts still stand as well as
St Pierre Cathedral the spire of which can be seen from miles around. Papermaking was once Angouleme’s main
industry in it’s mills, (now all but disappeared). Today, reminders of the past can be found in the older
medieval style buildings and grander mansions with beautiful facades and strong wooden doors.Look out for
something more modern – the 20+ decorated with cartoon-style murals by a variety of artists and more tha
1000 street name plaques in the form of a speech bubbles. Angoulême hosts the Comic Strip festival every January.
Start your exploration of the old part of the town is Les Halles, the covered market. Inside are stalls
selling wonderful fresh cheese, meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables. Visit the market in the morning
to see it at it’s busiest and best! Fill the hire car for all those picnics you’ll enjoy. The tourist
office is nearby so pick pick up a leaflet, in English,with a map of the old town including information
of local tourist attractions, what to see and where to find it.) Many more shops and cafés can be found
in and around the Rue des Postes that leads to Place F Louvel, just past the town hall. Make sure you buy
some brightly coloured macaroons or canellés (small pastries with a custard centre), lovely local Angouleme
specialities.
WHAT TO SEE IN ANGOULEME
2. The view: Walk along les Remparts for a view of the Charente valley. The best views are found from
Rempart du Midi up to Place Beaulieu.
3. St Pierre Cathedral: an impressive example of Romanesque architecture, the spire can be seen from miles around.
Originally built in the 12th century. It is most famous for its detailed 12 century façade – be sure not to
miss the depiction of the Last Judgement..
4. Cordelier’s Chapel: dating back to the 14th century, in the nave is the 350 year-old tomb of Jean-Louis-Guez de Balzac
a most celebrated French writer, who was born in Angoulême.
5. Musée de la bande dessinée: devoted to the art of the comic strip – the annual festival is held every January in
Angoulême – this is possibly Angoulême’s most famous museum. The musuem collection contains 8,000 original drawings
and over 110,000 magazines, and as well as information on France’s comic heroes, including Tin Tin and Asterix, there
are exhibitions of comics from around the world including the Marvel Comics and Japanese manga.
6. Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation: the story of the French resistance during WWII both locally and nationally,
using real life stories, documents and maps.
7. Vintage cars: In the third weekend of September, the old town is given over to vintage cars from all over the world
who compete in Circuit des Remparts, fondly known as ‘Monaco without the sea’. A series of races is held over three
days within the town and is great fun with loads of atmosphere.
TAKE A DRIVe AROUND OUTSIDE ANGOULEME:
8. Visit the medieval town of Cognac with its narrow cobbled streets which are a mix of medieval stone as well as more
elegant Renaissance facades. By the river are the many chais, old warehouses that have for many hundreds years stored
barrels of maturing cognac, they have guided tours.
9. COntinue your drive to Saintes On the river Charente. Saintes is renowned for its Roman amphitheatre built for
gladiator battles. Saintes also holds a busy market each Monday. Do not miss going to Villebois-Lavalette, a town
sitting on a hill and dominated by castle. Market day is on Saturday, with stalls selling local produce such as honey,
bread and oysters. Your hire car will be groaning with goods for the drive back to Angouleme! Visit restored mills
Not Far from Angoulême in the Horte-et-Tardoire valley where there are a number of mills still working and producing
flour, fresh baked bread and walnut & hazelnut oil.
DRESSING UP!
10.La Rochefoucauld château: Here there is a lovely chateau. Part of which dates back to 980AD but much of it was
rebuilt in the 11th and 18th centuries, the solid Romanesque square in sharp contrast to the fairytale-style turret
and elegant cloisters. As well as the dungeon, original kitchen and some living rooms, On the top floor is a dressing
up room where children and adults can dress up in garments from medieval times.
