Champniers – 2 minute drive
With a friendly bar offering regular live music and food trucks – just an easy cycle/walk or a 2 minute drive.
Champniers also boasts a pretty, 12th century church with bell tower.
Civray – 10 minute drive
The bustling market town of Civray is located on the banks of the Charente river and was built around the Saint-Nicolas church which is a beautiful example of 12th-century Romanesque architecture.
There are plenty of French bistros and bars serving excellent local cuisine at reasonable prices. You will find shops for all your provisions and a traditional boulangerie where you can get patisserie or your fresh croissants for the next morning!
Ruffec – 30 minute drive
Ruffec is a traditional market town on the Lien river. The main square is home to various cafes, restaurants and shops.
The town has preserved a remarkable Romanesque church, Saint-André, with a carved façade illustrating the Ascension. This 12th century church features beautiful stained glass windows which were a contemporary addition by Vivian Oël, a student of Salvador Dali.
Nanteuil en Vallée – 30 minute drive
This is a medieval village full of charm named ‘petites cités de caractère’ or ‘small town of character’.
Home to the Jardins de l’Argentor – a very pretty arboretum and garden which was created in the 1930s and the 12th century Benedictine Abbey of Notre-Dame de Nanteuil all of which are open to visitors.
Verteuil-sur-Charente – 35 minute drive
This beautiful village with its stunning château is a must see and is generally considered to be one of the finest châteaux in the Charente region.
Confolens – 35 minute drive
Cross one of the two medieval bridges, the Pont Vieux which spans the Vienne to discover the Fontorse district with beautiful fountain springs or the Pont du Goire which leads to a former tanners’ district.
In the middle of August each year, the town hosts the famous world dance and music festival, a week long event that attracts hundreds of performers and thousands of visitors to Confolens.
Tusson – 45 minute drive
Tusson is a charming village that has preserved its heritage and falls on one of the less common pilgrim paths from Tours to Santiago de Compostella!
There are some beautiful walks including the ‘Le Circuit Fleuri’ or visit ‘The Monastic Garden of Tusson’ which is listed as one of France’s ‘remarkable gardens’. Why not finish off your walk with a visit to Gâteaux.
Chauvigny – 50 minute drive
One of the towns that has obtained the ‘Most Beautiful Detours in France’ label! In the historic upper town, discover not one, but 5 castles or their remains in one place.
Every year at the end of August, for two days, Chauvigny immerses you in the life of the Middle Ages, during an incomparable medieval festival.
Marvel at the unforgettable aerial ballet show of the ‘Géants du Ciel’ or travel through the varied landscapes of Chauvigny on the VéloRail!
Poitiers – 55 minute drive
It’s easy to see why the first stop for many visitors to Vienne is the bustling capital Poitiers. With its old-world charms and lively centre, this is a historic city with plenty of shops and restaurants to explore.
A traditional stopping spot on the route from Paris to Bordeaux, southwest France and Spain, it is a city that has catered for passing travellers since Roman times.
With centuries of architecture jostling together in the winding streets, watch the world go by at a pavement café and browse the boutiques for souvenirs.
Montmorillon – 1 hour drive
Known for its macaroons, its heritage and its books! The medieval quarter is the city’s most popular tourist spot and is home to the City of Writing and Book Professions where booksellers, potters, calligraphers and even painters share the space.
Take a stroll along the banks of the Gartempe and enjoy the view of the city and the Notre-Dame church or visit the Macaroon Museum!
La Rochefoucauld – 1 hour drive
This is a dynamic medieval city rich in culture and is known for its castle, proudly set on the rock overlooking the Tardoire.
Why not get yourself a pair of the famous Charentaise slippers? La Rochefoucauld is the birthplace of the famous slipper since 1907.
Angoulême – 1 hour 10 minute drive
A maze of old cobbled streets with a huge array of bars, restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries, Angoulême is teeming with life.
It is the graphic novel capital, thanks to the international popularity of its famous festival which gets underway in January every year.
Jarnac – 1 hour 15 minute drive
Explore the interesting variety of specialist shops in the town, there are numerous producers and sellers of both cognac and the local Charente wine.
Visit Maison Courvoisier, a cognac house like no other! Drink in the stunning surroundings whilst learning about the legend of this storied cognac maker. After the tour, you’ll be treated to a unique cognac tasting!
Limoges – 1 hour 15 minute drive
Famous for its porcelain, Limoges is a pretty medieval city with lots of small boutiques and one of the most beautiful train stations in the world!
Cognac– 1 hour 30 minute drive
Multi-cultural and cosmopolitan, cognac will surprise you with its impressive architecture and delicious restaurants!
Stroll the narrow paved streets of the city centre to absorb the charm of the old city of Cognac with plenty of nice boutiques to visit.
Take a tour of a Cognac distillery and taste some of the best craft cognacs in the region!
Bordeaux 2 hour 30 minute drive
Visit La Cité du Vin which is a unique museum dedicated to wine! Enjoy a glass of wine at 35 metres high with a panoramic view of Bordeaux and its surroundings.
Explore the historic district of the merchants and visit the Museum of Wine and Trading alongside the Museum of Maritime History before strolling through the pretty boutiques and antique shops of the Rue Notre Dame.
Why not spend an afternoon wine tasting in the French countryside where you will learn some wine-tasting tips from an expert? Stop at charming châteaux to sample the local wines and nibble on French cheese and cured meats with fresh bread as you sip.
