|
 Aubeterre-sur-Dronne:
Location:
About 50km due south of Angouleme on D20/D17 perched overlooking the
River Dronne.
General Information:
Town's official
website.
Free parking in the village centre above the main square (opposite the
tourist information centre).
Description: One of
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, this is a really lovely village full of
white buildings – the village’s name comes from the latin alba terre
which means ‘white earth’. It is perched on the borders of the Dordogne
and the Charente, and probably one of its most visited sites is the vast
troglodyte church of St Jean, the largest of its type in Europe. You can
wander around the Church at will (entrance fee - €5 for all
over 12 and €1 for children aged 8-12....ask for the free audio guide), climbing up
the 80 steps inside for views
down into the nave which is 20m high, as well as visits to the
catacombs. It is a fascinating place that is open every day from
9.30-12.00 and 14.00-18.00.
During the summer English speaking guided tours of the village are
organized. If you feel hungry try out the
restaurant at the foot of the village or one of the open air cafes
in the village square.
Our recommendations: Aim to spend a day here so you can sample the
wide choice of entertainments available, both in the village and down by
the river.
For the children: The
village and subterranean church offer limited appeal. But they
will enjoy the riverside attractions including a very pleasant river
beach (please keep an eye on the little ones!) and
canoeing - €11 per person for a 2 hour canoeing trip, as well as a
small play area.
|
Our favourite towns in
the Charente and Vendee:
-
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
- Cognac
- La Rochelle
- Niort
- Saintes
-
Talmont-sur-Gironde
Also worth a visit if you are close by are the seaside town of Royan,
Coulon in the
Marais Poitévin and many of the seaside towns sitting
alongside the
beach resorts we recommend.
|
