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Ruffec

Visit Ruffec (Poitou-Charentes, France)

The town of Ruffec is situated on the Lien River in the quiet countryside to the north-west of the Charente department of Poitou-Charentes (hence north of Angouleme).

Exploring Ruffec

A quiet town, Ruffec has maintained a small historical centre around Armes Square and the church (the focus of your visit). The square itself is overlooked by a grand Town Hall.

The highlight in Ruffec is the Church of Saint-André. Built in the roman style the church dates from the 12th century and once belonged to the abbey at nearby Nanteuil-en-Vallee, although substantial alterations and additions were made in the 15th century - the carved decorative facade, featuring some inset statuary, is the oldest and most interesting part of the church.

Also in Ruffec you can see the traditional washhouse, the ruins of a the small Chapel Saint-Blaise and the remains of a castle.

Note: on the banks of the River Lien there is access to the river where children can have a paddle.

Attractions near Ruffec

Enthusiasts of religious architecture will certainly want to visit the abbey and treasury at Nanteuil-en-Vallee just a few kilometres from here and the benedictine abbey at Charroux. We also suggest a trip to see the churches at Civray, Genouille, Chatain and Saint-Pierre-d'Exideuil, clustered together to the north-east of Ruffec.

Close to the town visit the Aire de Rejallant to hire a canoe to explore along the river and to enjoy a picnic.

Note: photo of Ruffec is copyright

Photos taken within 10 km

Address: Ruffec, Angoulême, Charente, Poitou-Charentes, 16700 || GPS: latitude 46.0294, longitude 0.2

Map of Ruffec & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Melle 34km; La Rochefoucauld 35km; Confolens 37km; Saint-Germain-de-Confolens 38km; Angouleme 40km; Jarnac 48km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Ruffec.
See Poitou-Charentes and Charente (the region and department for Ruffec) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Ruffec, France

• Eglise de Saint André (Ruffec) - religious monument
• Parc et jardin de l’Abrègement - remarkable garden (6km)
• Eglise de Genouillé (Genouille) - religious monument (14km)
• Eglise de Saint Pierre (Saint-Pierre-d'Exideuil) - religious monument (14km)
• Jardin monastique médiéval - remarkable garden (15km)
• Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Civray) - religious monument (15km)
• Eglise de Saint Pierre (Chatain) - religious monument (19km)
• Abbaye Bénédictine (Charroux) - religious monument (20km)
• Abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux - national monument (20km)
• Vallée des singes (monkeys) - zoo or wildlife park (25km)

Market days in Ruffec: Regular market(s) are held in Ruffec each Wednesday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Ruffec (Francais)