Tusson is a village situated north of Angouleme and to the north-west part of the Charente department of Poitou-Charentes.
The village falls on one of the less common pilgrim paths, that travel from Tours to Santiago de Compostella.
Explore Tusson
A typical Charentais village, Tusson originally developed in early medieval times around the abbey that once stood here.
There are many attractive houses to admire in the village from the renaissance period, with the house that once belonged to Marguerite d'Angouleme the most important - the building now houses the Maison du Patrimoine in Tusson, a small museum dedicated to local heritage.
Medieval garden of Tusson
Next to the Maison du Patrimoine you can visit the main attraction in the village, the 'medieval garden', or 'Monastic Garden of Tusson', created by a local group of enthusiasts who have set out to recreate as accurately as possible what a medieval garden would have been like.
Officially listed as one of France's 'remarkable gardens', the garden features four separate garden areas dedicated to vegetables, medicinal plants, fruits and ornamental plants. Interesting stone features such as a fountain and some ancient tombs also add to the appeal of the garden.
The garden is closed in January, and an admission charge of three euros is payable.
From the garden you can also see a section of wall with a doorway that is all that remains of the original priory in Tusson.
Other sights in Tusson
Motivated perhaps by the medieval garden, the village also contains many individual gardens that can be seen clambering over walls and fences and show that the whole of Tusson take gardening very seriously!
Among other notable buildings are the 16th century Maison Pasquier and the Ferme Robert (both in private ownership) and the gothic style Church of Saint-Jacques.
The church, with its octagonal belltower, was originally built in the 13th century but suffered a great deal of damage during the Wars of Religion and was largely rebuilt in the 15th century.
Note: photo of Tusson medieval garden is copyright
Attractions nearby
There are several other small villages nearby that, like Tusson, will not take you long to explore but together make for an interesting tour of this part of Charente, including Verteuil-sur-Charente with its castle and the villages of Ruffec and Nanteuil-en-Vallée.
You can find more travel ideas in the Charente guide and the Poitou-Charentes guide.
Arrange a visit to Tusson
Hotels in Tusson
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Tusson and places nearby
Visit near Tusson with France This Way reviews

Bayers
The Chateau de Bayers is the principal monument here, and thers are several other smaller sites of interest
Bayers guide
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
Nanteuil-en-Vallee
Here at Nanteuil-en-Vallee it is the Nanteuil Abbey and Treasury that is of most interest to visitors
Nanteuil-en-Vallee guide
Angouleme
Angouleme is one of our favourite Charente towns, with several interesting historic monuments to see and nice views
Angouleme guide
Chateau de La Rochefoucauld
The Chateau de La Rochefoucauld is the most important castle in Charente, with both medieval and renaissance parts to the castle
Chateau de La Rochefoucauld guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Charente
Address: Tusson, Aigre, Angoulême, Poitou-Charentes, 16140, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.935, longitude 0.0692
Plan your visit to Tusson, Charente
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin monastique médiéval: remarkable garden
- Eglise de Saint André (Ruffec): religious monument (15 km)
- Parc et jardin de l’Abrègement: remarkable garden (19 km)
- Eglise de Saint Jean-Baptiste (Coulgens): religious monument (22 km)
- Eglise de Genouillé (Genouille): religious monument (28 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Saint-Pierre-d'Exideuil): religious monument (29 km)
- Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Civray): religious monument (29 km)
- Eglise de Saint Vivien (Bagnizeau): religious monument (30 km)
- Angouleme: town of art and history (30 km)
- Eglise de Saint-Brice (Saint-Mande-sur-Bredoire): religious monument (30 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre et eglise de Saint Hérie (Matha): religious monument (31 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Chatain): religious monument (32 km)
The French version of this page is at Tusson (Francais)