Confolens and NE Charente.

Wending a way north.

Much of this Area is closer to Limoges than it is to Angoulême - which may be something of a relief to house owners making use of the flights to Stansted. Otherwise one might dare venture to suggest that communications are not the best. The A20 is closer than the A10 - but it goes somewhat east of north to Orleans and Paris and it's getting on for a 450 mile journey to Calais. The significantly shorter route to the Normandy parts is something of a mish-mash of Routes National and Motorway.

Varied agriculture and scenery.

The area's scenery is influenced by three regions. It's on the edge of Charente's chalky hills but the vineyards are not dominant. The agriculture is more arable reflecting that of the Département of la Vienne to the north. Limousin is to the east and as the land starts to discomfort the combine-harvesters herds of cattle find peaceful havens.

Roman Baths and river valleys.

With a base in this region you and your guests will be able to spend some time visiting the remains of an extensive Roman settlement at the Thermes of Chassenon. As evidenced by the name they had heated baths here and the site (discovered in 1958) is believed to be the location of a large town with a palace, temple and a forum. Only the baths have been excavated. The river Vienne passes nearby and a particularly pleasant section of its valley runs north to continue into south Vienne (see Civray and South Vienne on this site).

The only cathedrals erected in the 20th century were those dedicated to the Trinity of Mammon, Profit and the Common Agricultural Policy.

At peace with its by-pass.

In the east of the area the infant river Charente is practising the meandering that characterises almost all of it's length. The countryside is often fairly wooded. Near the southern extremities of our area Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure does not seem to have recovered yet from being bisected by the N141. Recently by-passed it could be the place to be.