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Giraudiere BROSSAC CHARENTE South-west France Article on the Department of Charente in France |
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Perhaps
you
have never heard of the Charente? Why come here for your holiday?
The Charente lies one hour north east of Bordeaux and an hour
inland
from the coast. It is an undulating department with woods and vineyards
and sunflowers, scattered about with small lakes and picturesque
villages often dating back to medieval times. Thirteenth century
churches and chateaux are in abundance and provide fascinating viewing.
Most Charente grapes are grown for Cognac or Pineau( a delicious
mix of eau de vie and grape juice drunk as an aperitif,) but the fine
wines of Bordeaux and St. Emilion are grown within driving distance of
its borders.
A trip to a distillery
or vineyard is
an interesting
excursion, usually with plenty to taste in the
process!
For relaxation many of the lakes have beaches. Picnic tables
nestle under shady trees. There are golden sands for the children to
play on and clear, clean waters for swimming often patrolled by
lifeguards to ensure your families safety. There are way marked
walks and
cycle paths & tracks for the energetic though these pursuits are best followed
on the warm days of late spring or early autumn.Summer will be hot but
after lazy days by the pool, there are plenty of night markets and
street concerts. There is a highly renowned 'blues festival' in Cognac
during the last weekend of July each year. |
Charente South West France
Cognac also offers one of
the finest golf
courses within the department where many of the holes are
sponsored by the famous cognac houses. There are many restaurants to
suit all tastes and budgets. There
are several gourmet, star-rated establishments but also many homely
cafes with daily changing 3 or 4 course menus and house wine thrown in,
all for under ten pounds a head. And why particularly Brossac? Brossac
Situated at the most southerly point of the Charente is an ideal
location with the borders of the Gironde, Dordogne and
Charente-Maritime within 10 minuets drive. Brossac
A charming village, built close to a leisure lake, it offers all
amenities. Bakers, Butcher, Supermarket, Bank, Holiday
accommodation, Post office,
Restaurants, Tennis, Swimming, Fishing....you will find them all here.
There are night entertainments in summer and Chalais with its enormous
weekly market is just ten minutes away. It is 45 minutes to Cognac and
the distilleries or a 30 minute drive to Aubeterre
with its
subterranean
church. A must see! There is kayaking and river sports on
both the Dronne and Dordogne rivers. If you want to visit a large,
historic town then you are spoiled for choice... Angouleme, Libourne,
Saintes, Perigeux, all driving distance and with history dating back to
the Romans! If you fancy a day by the sea you can choose quiet coves,
bustling marinas or natural phenomenons like the dune du
pyla. Freshly caught fish can be found on restaurant menus
everywhere.
Charente Property South West France |
Angouleme History South Charente |
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Charente
has
become the favorite among non French nationals with many British,
Irish and dutch arriving to settle and for holiday homes in the
department
of Charente.
The department has turned from one of schools
and bars closing to an up and coming attraction and investment for
those seeking property abroad. The fact that the Capital
of Charente
does not have a auto route or motorway has kept the capital Angouleme
a
bit of an unknown jewel of France. But the route
national 10 or RN10
has been transformed in to what can only be described as a free
auto route with 99% of the route being dual carriageway and free of
tolls. The airport
at Angouleme
is about to offer international flights
starting some time in 2007. The high speed TGV train is improving it's
rail links into Angouleme Property
Prices in Charente have been going up steadily over the
past 5 years and I can see
no let off as the number of bargains or old wrecks have diminished
considerable. In 1997 I used to walk from La Giraudiere to our local
village Brossac and I would pass what you can only describe as some 20
derelict properties, these properties now house families from all over
Europe who have come to settle here. Another good indication of the
rising popularity of the Charente is the
fact that in 1997 there was 1
estate agent or immobilier in Chalais which lies 8 km south of La
Giraudiere and now there is four maybe five agents so business must be
good.
Statistics or Charente Population 1999 - estimative 339,628 Population density: 57/km Land area :5956 km²
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Angouleme (Iculisma or Ecolisna,
later Angoulesme) was taken by Clovis from the
Visigoths in 507, and plundered by the Normans in the 9th century.
In 1360 it was surrendered by the Treaty of Brétigny to the
English; they were, however, expelled in 1373 by the troops of Charles
V, who granted the town numerous privileges. It suffered much during
the French Wars of Religion, especially in 1568 after its capture by
the Protestants under Coligny.
The county of Angouleme
dated from the 9th century, the most important of the early counts
being William Taillefer, whose descendants held the title till the end
of the 12th century. Withdrawn from them on more than one occasion by
Richard Coeur-de-Lion, it passed to King John of England on his
marriage with Isabel, daughter of Count Adhémar, and by her
subsequent marriage in 1220 to Hugh X passed out to the Lusignan
family, counts of Marche. On the death of Hugh XIII
in 1302 without issue, his possessions passed to the crown. In 1394 the
countship came to the house of Orleans, a member of which, Francis I,
became king of France in 1515 and raised it to the rank of duchy in
favour of his mother Louise of Savoy.
The duchy, now crown land and only nominally a duchy, thereafter was
passed on within the ruling house of France, one of its holders being
Charles of Valois, natural son of Charles IX. The last duke was
Louis-Antoine, eldest son of Charles X, who died in 1844.
Angouleme is twinned with:
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