Angles-sur-l'Anglin

Visit Angles-sur-l'Anglin, Poitou-Charentes

A classified most beautiful village, Angles-sur-l'Anglin is found north-east of Poitiers, on the eastern border of the Poitou-Charentes region. This village is one of the highlights of the area around Poitiers and is not to be missed.

Facing across the pretty gorge of the river, and surrounded by pretty woodland and small fields, the ruins of the Chateau Guichard and the pretty medieval village of Angles sur l'Anglin are set on rocky hills, and complement each other perfectly. The best view of the castle is probably that from the other side of the mirror-flat river, across the arched bridge.

The narrow unspoiled streets of the village are lined with attractive medieval houses that lead to the chateau, and also to a roman style church and belltower.

Although the castle is in ruins, it is still an impressive place to visit, (though it is not open during much of the week) and there are sufficient ruins that the important towers and highlights of the castle can still be recognised. These include the donjon, the prison tower, the chapel tower, and two chapels. After the revolution the castle was declared a 'public quarry' which presumably did little for its state of repair!

The easiest way to make sure you see everything in Angles sur l'Anglin is to follow the signed circuit no 2 of the Ville Haute to see the upper town. and then take the steps down (more than a hundred!!) to circuit no 1, Ville Basse to wander around the lower town. As you walk down the steps you get good views of some lovely houses on the opposite side of the river.

Newly opened at Angles-sur-l'Anglin in the spring of 2008 is the Roc Aux Sorciers ( witches rock). This is the site of fabulous prehistoric carvings dating from 14 000 years ago. They are said to be the most important carvings of their type in Europe - fascinating three-dimensional representations of animals, a kind of « Lascaux of sculpture ». The sculpture was discovered in 1950 but has been inaccessible to the public in order to conserve it. Now a replica has been made in order that everyone can admire this important prehistoric art-work.

Local suggestion: visit La Roche Posay (12km) a popular spa town on the River Creuse with some interesting historical buildings - donjon, fortified gates, colombage houses etc.

See Poitou-Charentes and Vienne (the region and department for Angles-sur-l'Anglin) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Angles-sur-l'Anglin: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*; One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Photos of Angles-sur-l'Anglin

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Suggested places to visit near Angles-sur-l'Anglin, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Verneuil-Moustiers 44km; Loches 47km; Saint-Benoit-du-Sault 48km;

Angles-sur-l'Anglin tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Abbaye de Saint Savin sur Gartempe (Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe) - religious monument (15km) : Eglise de Saint Pierre (Chauvigny) - religious monument (23km) : Etangs de la Brenne - site of natural beauty (26km) : Brenne - regional natural parc (26km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame (Montmorillon) - religious monument (30km) : Montmorillon - town of art and history (30km) : Eglise de Saint Gervais et Saint Protais (Civaux) - religious monument (33km) : Abbaye de Nouaillé-Mauperthuis (Nouaille-Maupertuis) - religious monument (42km) :

See more places and a map at places near Angles-sur-l'Anglin