What to do and see in Angoulême and surroundings

The painted walls of Angoulême are murals created by international artists since 1982. Over forty outdoor works featuring comic characters brighten the city's facades with vivid colors. These artworks transform the streets into open-air galleries and show how closely comics are connected to Angoulême's identity. Walking through the medieval old town, you discover these murals at every turn, nestled between centuries-old buildings along narrow streets. The painted walls are a living part of the city's character and reflect the creative spirit that shapes this historic place.

The Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Angoulême is a religious building from the 12th century that displays Romanesque style. The facade features medieval sculptures that tell stories from centuries past. Inside, colorful stained glass windows and side chapels cast light across the stone walls. This cathedral sits at the heart of the old town and is a key place to understand the artistic history of Angoulême and its surroundings.

Grande Prairie Lake is a leisure site in Angoulême, France, where visitors can relax and enjoy water-based activities. The lake features a sandy beach and supervised swimming areas during the summer months. People can rent pedal boats or take a fishing course. Located close to the city, it provides a refreshing escape from Angoulême's medieval streets and art galleries.

The Town Hall of Angoulême is a 12th-century municipal building that plays an important role in what to do and see in this city and its surroundings. This structure features medieval towers, reception halls, and a historic inner courtyard that reflect the architecture of past centuries. It stands in the heart of the old town center, surrounded by buildings that speak of a prosperous past.

The ramparts of Angoulême are defense walls built between the 12th and 15th centuries, and they are a key part of what to explore in this city and its surroundings. Walking along these ramparts offers views over the city and the Charente valley. From this vantage point, visitors can take in the medieval old town with its closely packed buildings and see the countryside of the Charente stretching below.

The Green Garden in Angoulême offers a restful space to walk among old trees, flower beds, and children's play areas. This public space fits perfectly into activities to do and see in Angoulême and surroundings, where visitors can find nature close to the city center. Benches invite you to sit and take in the surroundings.

Saint-André Church is a religious building from the 12th century that holds an important place in Angoulême. Visitors can admire the Gothic architecture of the nave and view the colorful stained glass windows. Medieval sculptures are displayed on the main facade, showing the skilled craftsmanship of that era. In the collection of things to do and see in Angoulême and surroundings, this church offers insight into the religious and artistic history of the city.

The Comic Strip Museum in this city celebrates the art form of comics through its collections and exhibitions. It houses more than 13,000 original boards and a specialized library dedicated to this medium. Temporary exhibition spaces allow for rotating displays of works from different periods and creators. The colorful murals painted on building facades throughout Angoulême connect the museum to the surrounding streets, making comics an integral part of the city's visual identity and cultural life.

The Angoulême Museum in this city presents archaeological collections, African and Oceanian artworks, and regional paintings. The museum sits in Angoulême's medieval center, where it is part of the artistic life that shapes the town. Alongside this museum, there is also a comics museum that highlights Angoulême's strong connection to the art world. The collections help visitors understand the history and culture of this region.

The Nautilis Centre is a water sports facility in Angoulême that complements the city's outdoor offerings for those who enjoy aquatic activities. This complex features a 25-meter sports pool, a children's paddling pool, sauna, hammam, and fitness room. It provides a convenient spot for swimming and water recreation just a short distance from the medieval heart of the city.

The Resistance Museum in Angoulême displays objects, documents, and photographs documenting resistance actions in Charente during World War II. The museum showcases weapons and uniforms from this period. Within what Angoulême and its surroundings offer to visitors, this museum provides insight into the region's history during a crucial chapter of the war.

The Saint-Cybard Church in Angoulême is a religious building from the 12th century that was built over a Merovingian crypt. It was remodeled in the 15th century with Gothic style elements. As part of what to do and see in Angoulême and surroundings, this church shows how architecture developed over many centuries. Visitors can see the layers of history preserved in stone and learn about the religious life of the city.

Tourgarnier Manor is a 15th-century building located in the historic center of Angoulême. It features a distinctive square tower and Renaissance architectural elements. This manor stands within a city full of stories and surrounded by medieval walls. Tourgarnier Manor is one of the elegant buildings that tells of a prosperous past and is part of the rich architectural heritage that visitors can discover while exploring Angoulême.

This church is a religious monument built in the 12th century as part of what to do and see in Angoulême and surroundings. The building displays sculptures on its facade and colorful stained glass windows inside. The vaults are decorated with frescoes that show the skilled craftsmanship of earlier times.

La Nef is a cultural center in Angoulême housed in a former military powder magazine. The venue serves as a concert hall for amplified music, with seating for around 650 people. It reflects the city's strong focus on art and creative expression, complementing the colorful murals and artistic energy that define this medieval town.

The Saint-Martial Church in Angoulême is a religious building from the 11th century that visitors can explore while discovering the city and its surroundings. The structure features a central nave with two side aisles. Its limestone bell tower rises 35 meters high. The capitals are decorated with plant motifs, showcasing the craftsmanship of the period. This church is part of the rich religious heritage that characterizes the medieval streets of Angoulême.

The Saint-Simon House in Angoulême is a 16th-century residence that displays typical Renaissance architecture. Its facade is decorated with sculptures and features mullioned windows that are characteristic of the period. The house stands in the medieval old town, where buildings from many centuries sit close together. It shows how prosperous the city was in its past and demonstrates the skill of the craftsmen who built it.

The Duceau Chocolatier is a traditional chocolate workshop in Angoulême that has been located in a listed historical building since 1878. This place shows the craft of chocolate making, where old techniques are still used today. The workshop is part of the rich history of this city, which is known for its art and craftsmanship. Visitors can watch how chocolate is made according to inherited methods, and being close to the old town's museums and galleries makes this spot a rewarding stop while exploring Angoulême's cultural life.

This 15th century church in the L'Houmeau district of Angoulême belongs to the collection of places to explore in this historic city in Charente. The building impresses with its Gothic portal on the facade, and the interior holds carved wooden altars that showcase the craftsmanship of the period.

The Angoulême Golf Course sits on the heights of the city and offers activities to explore in Angoulême and surrounding areas. This 18-hole course welcomes both experienced players and those learning the game. Training areas and a golf school allow visitors to develop their skills or start fresh. From this elevated location, you can enjoy views of the Charente valley and the countryside beyond the city walls.

This paper mill in Angoulême is an industrial complex from the 19th century standing along the Charente River. The stone buildings have been converted and now tell the story of papermaking in the city. You can explore the old production spaces and see how the mill once operated. The site brings together industrial history with modern use, set in a green riverside setting.

The Bardines Hotel is an elegant 18th-century residence located in Angoulême, a city full of stories in the heart of Charente. This building was once home to aristocratic families and still shows the traces of that prosperous past. Inside, you will find an inner courtyard, gardens, and rooms decorated with period woodwork and fireplaces. The hotel fits perfectly among the other historic buildings of the old town center and offers visitors a glimpse into the luxurious life of past centuries.

Île Marquet is a natural area in Angoulême protected under the Natura 2000 program. The site sits on the banks of the Charente River and features a marked trail for walking through the landscape. A bamboo forest grows here, making this place a special spot for visitors who want to explore nature close to the city center.

The Market Halls of Angoulême serve as an authentic place to experience the food culture of this Charente city. Built in the 19th century, this building remains a vibrant meeting point where local producers sell their goods. You will find fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and cheese from regional makers. The selection changes with the seasons. The Market Halls open Tuesday through Sunday, inviting visitors to step into daily city life and speak directly with the vendors.

Francis Louvel Square is a paved plaza from the 18th century that serves as a gathering point in Angoulême's heart. Mansions from centuries past frame this square, which sits at the foot of the Courthouse. Here you'll find restaurants, cafés, and shops that reflect the city's welcoming character. This square is a natural place to pause, watch local life unfold, and feel the rhythm of daily activity in this medieval city.

This theater in Angoulême is a neoclassical building from 1870 with a richly decorated facade depicting music, poetry, and comedy. It sits in the heart of the city and reflects Angoulême's deep connection to art and creativity. The theater hall seats around 700 people and serves as a major venue for the local cultural scene.

The FRAC Poitou-Charentes in Angoulême houses contemporary artworks in a glass and concrete building. The venue features rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection of works dating back to 1983. It forms part of this city's artistic identity, where creativity shows up around many corners through murals and museums that display different forms of art.

The Cordeliers Chapel in Angoulême is a Gothic building that preserves the remains of a Franciscan monastery founded in the 13th century. The structure features cross-ribbed vaults that define Gothic architecture. This chapel tells the story of the city's religious past and fits naturally into a visit to Angoulême's medieval center, where history meets daily life at every corner.