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35 minutes drive, an elegant and interesting city, famous for its veteran car ramparts race each September. The town overlooks the valley of the Charente and is surrounded by the ramparts which extend for 3 kms around the city and were built in the fourth century as a fortification.

Annual festivals in Angouleme:

January: International Cartoon and Comic Festival - Angouleme is the birthplace of Herge, creator of Tin Tin. www.bdangouleme.com www.downthetubes.net

May: Classics and Jazz Festival.

November: Festival Ludoland Festival of Games

November:Gastonomades: Food Festival

30 minutes drive. The town, on the banks of the Charente river, is close to Cognac. It is the birth and burial place of the former President Mitterrand. There is a Museum dedicated to his life.

Jonzac

25 minutes - an ancient Huguenot town with a beautiful 15th century chateau in the town centre. Take a guided tour of the chateau or the medieval alleys or enjoy a walk along the river's banks. A major attraction is the acqua centre - Les Antilles - open all year round. Here you can swim indoor and outdoor. There is a tropical lagoon, beaches swimming pools with wave machines, waterfall, a 60 metre chute and games for the children. There is also an excellent gym. The complex has a Casino with an excellent restaurant and regular shows.

Royan and St George-de-Didonne

50 minutes drive - have large sandy beaches, and nearby Talmont, 11th century village overlooking the Gironde estuary is well worth a visit.

La Rochelle - 70 minutes drive. One of the best preserved port towns in France with a fortified harbour, smart shops and numerous seafood restaurants. A boat trip will take you to the pretty island of Ile d'Aix where there are no cars. The island is surrounded by sandy beaches, vineyards and oyster beds.

Ile de Re - 70 minutes Cross the toll bridge at La Rochelle and spend a day on Ile de Re with its magnificent sand dunes,forests, oyster restaurants and fascinating history

Aubeterre-sur-Dronne - a medieval village with ancient galleried and turreted houses built on a steep hillside above the river. Famous for its 12th century church carved out of the rock of the cliff face with tombs going back to the 6th century http://aubeterresurdronne.free.fr

Ile d'Oleron and Marennes village - the centre of the oyster production. You can visit the oyster beds and see how the business works. http://www.huitres-courdavault-alain.com/gbentre.html.

Saintes - Bordering the Charente river the town was founded by the Romans founded about 20 BC. There remains a magnificent Roman Triumphal Arch, the ruins of a Roman Ampitheatre and many fine Romanesque churches.

Bordeaux - listed as a World Heritage site, said to be one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Beautiful 18th century architectural buildings wide boulevards sweeping down to the Garonne river.

Cognac

40 minutes drive. An historic medieval town on the Charente river with its famous Cognac houses where you can have a guided tour or tasting at any of the distilleries, Otard, Remy Martin, Martell, to name but a few. Cognac is the birthplace of Francois 1st King of France and the castle where he was born is now the Otard distillery. An international jazz festival takes place each June.

Places of Interest