Nanteuil-en-Vallee travel guide
Visit Nanteuil-en-Vallee (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitNanteuil-en-Vallee is situated east of Ruffec in the north-west of the Charente department (Poitou-Charentes region) of France. It is listed as one of France's "petite cité de caractère' or 'small town of character'.
Explore Nanteuil-en-Vallee
Nanteuil is an attractive village to explore, with a mix of traditional houses - mostly in stone and some half-timbered - dating back at least to the 12th century. Many of these have been renovated though there are enough that have not been touched to give the village an attractive authenticity.
You can see a couple of interesting churches in Nanteuil: the Church of Saint John the Baptist and the Church of Saint-John de Tusson, both 15th century.
The main church, entered through a decorative stone doorway, is a well proportioned roman style structure containing a traditional baptismal font, some 15th century stalls and various carvings.
Behind the church up a side street you will discover the Nanteuil Abbey and Treasury (see below).
The impressive manor house (the Manoir de Aizecq) near the church dates from the 16th century (although with substantial 19th century modifications) while the traditional village washhouse and bread oven and a small stone fountain can also be seen in Nanteuil-en-Vallée.
The fountain is dedicated to Saint Jean and was built for visitors and pilgrims alike. It was the main water source for the village until the 1960s.
Interestingly as you walk around the village you are very aware of the sound of water gushing down the hillside and under parts of the village.
A couple of Auberges add to the charms of Nanteuil-en-Vallee and make this a popular spot for lunch or a pleasant place to come for a coffee and enjoy the sunshine.
There is a very pretty arboretum and garden in the village which was created in the 1930s. A lovely spot for a stroll. The garden is on the banks of the river Argentor.
Nanteuil Abbey and Treasury
The remains of the 12th century benedictine Abbey of Notre-Dame de Nanteuil are the main monument in the village. This abbey was built on the site of an earlier, 8th century abbey, founded here by Charlemagne.
At one time a very substantial abbey, you can now see the sturdy Treasury building with walls inset with high arches. Although the building is called the treasury, its most likely historical use, it is apparently not completely certain that its original function was to store objects of value.
Little remains of the other main abbey buildings, but there are enough ruins to clearly see part of the original layout. Certain houses in Nanteuil-en-Vallee feature surprisingly ornate decorative features - some of these were sourced from the remains of the abbey.
Places to Visit Nearby
The charming village of Verteil-sur-Charente with its imposing chateau and pretty riverside location is to the west of Nanteuil.
To the south-west you will find another castle, which can be visited, in the quiet village of Bayers.
You can find more travel ideas in the Charente guide and the Poitou-Charentes guide.
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Map of Nanteuil-en-Vallee and places nearby
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Verteuil-sur-Charente
At Verteuil-sur-Charente you will enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Charente River and a look at the substantial castle
Verteuil-sur-Charente guide
Ruffec
The highlight in the quiet town of Ruffec is the facade of the 12th century church
Ruffec guide
Bayers
The Chateau de Bayers is the principal monument here, and thers are several other smaller sites of interest
Bayers guide
Tusson
Tusson is a very typical town of the Charente and has several impressive Renaissance townhouses to admire
Tusson guide
Confolens
Confolens has several sites of interest including an ancient bridge and fountain and some medieval houses
Confolens guide
Saint-Germain-de-Confolens
In the village of Saint-Germain-de-Confolens you can see the substantial ruins of an ancient castle
Saint-Germain-de-Confolens guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Charente
Address: Nanteuil-en-Vallée, Ruffec, Angoulême, Poitou-Charentes, 16700, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.0019, longitude 0.3244
Plan your visit to Nanteuil-en-Vallee, Charente
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Parc et jardin de l’Abrègement: remarkable garden (5 km)
- Eglise de Saint André (Ruffec): religious monument (10 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Chatain): religious monument (11 km)
- Eglise de Genouillé (Genouille): religious monument (12 km)
- Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Civray): religious monument (16 km)
- Abbaye Bénédictine (Charroux): religious monument (17 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Saint-Pierre-d'Exideuil): religious monument (17 km)
- Abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux: national monument (17 km)
- Jardin monastique médiéval: remarkable garden (21 km)
- Eglise de Saint Jean-Baptiste (Coulgens): religious monument (21 km)
- Vallée des singes (monkeys): zoo or wildlife park (27 km)
- Confolens: town of art and history (27 km)
The French version of this page is at Nanteuil-en-Vallee (Francais)