Villebois-Lavalette travel guide

Visit Villebois-Lavalette (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)

Villebois-Lavalette is a village on a small hill south of Angouleme and west of Brantome in the Charente department of France (region Poitou-Charentes).

Explore Villebois-Lavalette

The village of Villebois-Lavalette is dominated by its chateau sitting above the village along with a few houses and a church. The rest of the village extends below where the streets are lined with typical Charentais houses, and there is lots to appreciate as you wander round and enjoy the pretty architectural details.

The village is best known for the imposing Chateau de Villebois that stands on a raised promontory above the village. Earlier structures in the same location include settlements by both the Gauls and the romans, and an earlier castle.

The extensive defensive walls and six towers were built in the 12th-13th century using the attractive white stone of the region, and wind around the hilltop, giving access to the inner castle through a gateway between two substantial round towers.

Inside the walls of the Chateau de Villebois a lodge was constructed in the 17th century to provide more comfortable accommodation, although a significant portion was later destroyed by a fre in the 19th century.

You can also see a 12th century chapel incorporated into the castle walls, accessible from both the inside of the castle and from outside, with the lower part for the use of pilgrims passing through Villebois-Lafayette and the upper floor for use by the lords of the castle.

Visits to the chateau can be organised in the tourist office of Villebois-Lavalette and always consist of a guided tour.

Other notable highlights in Villebois-Lavalette include the traditional 17th century market hall in the town centre, supported by a combination of carved round stone columns and traditional carpentry, and the substantial 13th century Church of Saint-Romain that also stands tall above the town centre.

You can also see a small 19th century fountain next to a well (in front of the market hall) and a 17th century sundial.

The weekly market in Villebois-Lavalette takes place on a Saturday morning.

Attractions nearby

The surrounding region is a quiet area of country lanes, small villages and sunflower fields. Many of the villages between Villebois-Lavalette and Angouleme have small roman style churches of interest such as those at Voulgezac and Roullet-Saint-Estephe.

Gardeners might want to visit the gardens of the Logis de la Forge at Mouthiers-sur-Boeme.

You can find more travel ideas in the Charente guide and the Poitou-Charentes guide.