Selection of the most beautiful monuments in Charente

Hôtel de ville
16000 Angoulême

The Town Hall of Angoulême, a 19th-century public building, incorporates the medieval remains of the Comtal Castle (XIII and XV centuries) and dominates the upper town with its monumental belfry and eclectic style.

Porte-de-ville
16100 Cognac

The Porte Saint-Jacques and its towers, remains of the 15th century fortifications, dominate the quays of the Charente in Cognac. This historic monument, an ancient access point to the city, combines medieval defensive architecture and carved decoration.

Eglise gothique
16120 Bassac

Saint-Étienne de Bassac Abbey, a former Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century in Bassac (Charente), combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture, marked by centuries of restorations and historical conflicts in New Aquitaine.

Eglise romane
16000 Angoulême

Saint-Pierre d'Angoulême Cathedral, a 12th century Romanesque building rebuilt in the 19th century, dominates the town of Angoulême in Charente. Ranked a historic monument in 1840, it is famous for its carved facade and its history linked to the Counts of Angoulême.

Eglise romane
16250 Cressac-Saint-Genis

The Cressac Commanderie, former Templar Commandery and 12th century Hospitaller, is located in Cressac-Saint-Genis, Charente. It houses a remarkable chapel for its medieval frescoes depicting scenes of crusades, classified as Historic Monument since 1914.

Eglise troglodyte
16390 Aubeterre-sur-Dronne

The monolithic church Saint-Jean d'Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, dug in a cliff from the 7th century, is a troglodytic jewel enlarged in the 12th century by Benedictine monks. Located in Charente, it is one of the largest rock churches in Europe.

Dolmens
16100 Saint-Brice

The Dolmen de Garde-Épée, built in the Neolithic at Saint-Brice (Charente), is a listed megalithic monument, composed of slabs in grey sandstone forming a rectangular burial chamber of 5 m long.

Couvent
16110 La Rochefoucauld-en-Angoumois

The Convent of the Carmelites of La Rochefoucauld, founded in the 14th century in La Rochefoucauld-en-Angoumois in New Aquitaine, is an ancient medieval monastery marked by renovations in the 19th and 20th centuries, now partially classified as a historical monument.