Towns
Rochechouart:
The area of Rochechouart was the site of a meteorite landing centuries ago. The impact created the crater which the town now sits around. Indeed much of the meteorite impactite-rock has been used in local buildings. Rochechouart is our local town at just 10km distance. It is a small market town with pretty shops, a superb chateau with far stretching views, housing a museum of modern art, a church with a rare twisted spire; and a tiny museum dedicated to the meteorite.
rare twisted spire Rochechouart
St Junien:
Sitting on the banks of the River Vienne which flows slowly past the town, famous for its glove makers, this is a pretty town with many smaller shops and coffee bars on winding streets, a lot of which are pedestrianised. Located just 25 minutes from us.
St junien
La Rochefoucauld
With its majestic Chateau sitting high on the hill, La Rochefoucauld is just 25 minutes drive from us. The chateau is open to the public, there are guided tours and you are free to walk round some parts unescorted ~ theres a great dressing-up room for younger visitors … It is a lovely little town, with shops and restaurants.
La Rochefoucauld
Limoges
The capital of the Limousin, famous the world over for its fine porcelain; the city is large and vibrant with many shops, coffee bars, cafes, restaurants and you could spend a day wandering. Located just 45 minutes from us. In 2017 it was named as one of UNESCO “Creative World Cities” for Crafts and Folk Art.
Limoges cathedral with its modern art and lovely gardens
Angouleme
The capital of the Charente, is located on a plateau overlooking the Charente river, and was fortified for a long time.There are numerous individual shops, cafes and restaurants, with old winding streets to explore; it has a vibrant cultural life. It is there that the annual street racing “Circuit des Remparts” is held the 3rd weekend in September; 2019 was its 80th year. The town is famous for its culture and comic books, Hergé (the creator of TinTin was born there) every January there is a comic “Bande Dessinée” convention held there over 3 days. Located just 50 minutes from us. In 2019 it was named as one of UNESCO “Creative World Cities” for Literature.
Angouleme, annual street racing in September
Nontron
Small town with nice little independent shops and cafes. It is renowned for its knife making and there are numerous shops selling knifes in the high street. There is a lovely small museum where you can see the workers making the knifes and purchase items if you want. There is a good art gallery and a lovely hillside walk.
Nontron, town to the left / knife museum to the right
Coussac Bonneval
Officially classed as one of Frances most beautiful villages stunning chateau.
Coussac Bonneval
Crit’Air
As more and more towns and cities have the desire to lower emissions, it may be worth investing in a clean air sticker for your car. “By” 2025 Limoges / Le Havre / Caen / Le Mans / Bordeaux / Orleans to name but a few, will introduce low emission zones, and you will be required to display a “Clean Air” sticker in your car to enter the zone. Unlike London’s low emission zone, there is a one off payment (currently around 4€ including postage) for a sticker that lasts the lifetime of your car, so it is well worth investing in one in advance – just in case you happen to drive into a zone without knowing:
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/
The official website lets you switch easily between EN / FR and French or Foreign vehicles.