This cartoon character (on the left) seems to have decided to stay on after the winter event!

Angoulême, the Comic Strip.

The mediaeval café quarter!

Angoulême is a vibrant place. The old part of the town is located on an extensive crag that dominates the surrounding plain. The mediaeval fortifications are remarkably intact and a section is used for the annual vintage car races (See our area: 'Angoulême - Circuit des Remparts'). Within the walls, in common with so many other towns, the 'ancient' quarter has become the café quarter - and a very successful one too!

Tintin to the rescue.

In January of each year it becomes the centre for the celebration of the comic strip. At first sight it does not seem a very promising subject but add cartoons - both drawn and animated - and you have the basis for bringing every character alive in the cafes, the bars, the streets and the alleys. Tintin may be the most familiar to the non-French but there are plenty of others smiling and singing along with events and exhibitions that attract some 200,000 people.

Another celebration? Open air performers are on hand during the summer.

Waterside concerts and theatre.

Modern Angoulême stretches away from and around this attractive central part. As in any city a full range of dwellings, houses and apartments can be found and if the two major events already mentioned are not enough you can follow more energetic sports at the Éric Tabarly Nautical Centre where you can learn to sail on a 25 hectare lake or take the children (or grandchildren) to swim. Somewhat less conventionally the centre is the venue for concerts and theatrical events during the summer.

The river itself is a leisure resource too. This small marina is at Sireuil - a few miles from the city.

Hand-made paper.

Making paper was a major industry in the area until quite recently. This is commemorated in the Musée du Papier 'le Nil'. The museum is established in the former premises of 'le Nil' a company that specialised in making cigarette papers until its closure in 1970. At Puymoyen a few miles outside the town one mill - the Moulin du Verger - still makes hand-made paper. Opposite le Nil you'll find the French National Repository for all comic strips published in the country. It's a museum and exhibition area as well.