Want to visit the area around Fontdouce without straying too far? Here are the major towns within a 70 km radius.
La Rochelle
We begin with the city of La Rochelle, located on the Atlantic coast. The La Rochelle metropolitan area comprises a total of 28 municipalities, nine of which are located along more than 70 kilometres of coastline. Both maritime and rural, the area features a large amount of preserved agricultural land and marshes, including the famous Marais Poitevin nearby.
The city centre of La Rochelle has nevertheless preserved its heritage over the years. For example, the three towers of La Rochelle are among the monuments that have been listed as historic monuments since 1879 and are genuine remnants of the ancient medieval fortifications that once surrounded the city.
When strolling through the streets of La Rochelle, you can admire the streets of its old town, the mansions, the beautiful Renaissance-era residences, the arcades of the pedestrian streets and the half-timbered houses.
When visiting La Rochelle, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the six main museums: the New World Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Automata and Model Making. Not to mention the famous La Rochelle Aquarium, not far from the old port, which contains more than 600 species of fish.
Royan
We continue with a visit to the town of Royan, located at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, still on the Atlantic coast. Well known for its seaside resort and sea bathing, which became popular in the 19th century, it was almost 85% destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in a 1950s style.
Today, this town combines relaxation with leisure and sporting activities. On the one hand, there is the laid-back side, where you can relax on the various sandy beaches, some of which are still relatively unspoilt, and enjoy life and swimming in the sea. On the other hand, there is the more active side, with historical monuments to visit such as Notre-Dame Church and the covered market. The Royan Museum, located in the historic district in the renovated former Pontaillac market, also traces the history of the town from ancient times to the Second World War.
In terms of activities, there is plenty to choose from, including horse riding, cycling or simply walking along the cycle routes (the Vélodyssée and Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo), hiking trails and marked bridle paths. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy sand yachting, surfing or paddle boarding.
Saintes
Saintes, capital of Saintonge, is well known for its history and numerous monuments to visit. Starting with the famous Gallo-Roman amphitheatre from the ancient Roman Empire, the Arch of Germanicus, built at the height of the Roman Empire’s power, which was a gift to Emperor Tiberius.
We continue with the Abbaye aux Dames, a Benedictine abbey for women that was very powerful until the French Revolution and provided education for girls from good families. Another religious building located in Saintes is the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, a monument listed as a Historic Monument since 1862.
In Saintes, you can also visit the town’s various museums. Start with the Musée de l’Échevinage, located in the former town hall, then the Musée Dupuy-Mestreau, housed in a former private mansion, or the Musée Archéologique, which contains objects belonging to the Gallo-Romans.
In terms of activities, escape on a quest to find the Poï’z on the various Terra Aventura trails, go canoeing, kayaking or on a Charente cruise aboard the Bernard Palissy III. Enjoy hiking, horse riding or cycling on the flow bike trail.
Cognac
A town famous for its brandy of the same name, Cognac is not just about alcohol. It is also the birthplace of François I on 12 September 1494, which is why there is a statue of him on Place François I.
The town is therefore full of historical monuments such as the Gate and Towers of the Old Port of Cognac, known as Saint Jacques, as the town of Cognac was formerly fortified, as was its castle dating from the early 11th century. On the religious side, there is the Church of Saint Martin, a 12th-century Romanesque church, as well as a Benedictine priory founded in the 11th century. There is also the Récollets convent, dating from the 17th century.
In the town of Cognac, there is also a public garden in the town centre with the Town Hall at its centre, a former merchant’s mansion, and further away, the François I Park, which has been listed since 1943. Continuing on, there is also the Lieutenant’s House on Rue Grande (the main street in medieval times), which is a half-timbered house.
On the cultural side, there are two museums: the Cognac Arts Museum, which highlights human expertise and the terroir, and the Art and History Museum, which immerses visitors in the world of merchant families with collections of works from these families.
Angoulême
The city of Angoulême, famous for its comic books, is full of places directly related to this art form. These include the National Centre for Comics and Images (CNBDI) and the International Comics Festival, which attracts huge crowds at the end of January. The old buildings of a former paper mill are now home to the ‘Le Nil’ paper museum, where visitors can learn about the history of paper, how it is made and how it has evolved over time.
Another museum that has no direct connection with comic books is the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses collections of paintings and ceramics as well as palaeontology, archaeology and ethnography collections on African and Oceanic art. There are also the famous painted walls located on the old town side.
Finally, from a religious perspective, there is Saint Peter’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century and features a sculpted façade in the Poitou Romanesque style.
Need inspiration? Visit one of these towns in Charentes!
