La Couronne is a city of Charente, in the Aquitaine region, southwest of Angouleme which it borders.
The territory composed of many swamps surrounds a small rural village that takes off from the twelfth century when a priest named Lambert erects a church and a modest monastery. Became Bishop of Angouleme, Lambert enriches "his" abbey which is still developing after his death, endowed with a Romanesque church. Mistreated during the wars of religion, the abbey is sold and partly dismantled during the Revolution.
Meanwhile La Couronne has become a commercial town with a castle belonging to the Earl of Angoulême and a stronghold of paper production. It remains so at the beginning of the twenty-first century, but the city of nearly 8,000 inhabitants is also known for its cement works. However, it has retained several wooded areas and vineyards belonging to the Cognac appellation.
Its rich heritage and its environment are worth seeing.
A discovery of the important historical heritage of the city can begin with the current town hall, which dates from the nineteenth century and was enlarged in the twentieth. The building succeeded a building where justice was done in the name of the local lord.
To see then, the church of St. John the Baptist, built at the beginning of the twelfth century, Romanesque style, which was the cradle of the future abbey, which however will be built a few hundred meters. Restored and enriched in the 19th century, decorated with murals, it was the subject of a restoration campaign.
Of the Notre-Dame abbey, only vestiges remain after its partial dismantling during the Revolution, where it acted as a career. Erected in the twelfth century, consisting of a Gothic church and convent buildings, several times enlarged and remodeled, it is first one of the richest abbeys in Aquitaine but its wall is not enough to protect it from the Hundred Years War or the Wars of Religion. However, it finds some vigor then (late 16th century) and is rebuilt. Placed under the obedience of the Jesuits and the congregation of St. Genevieve in the seventeenth, the abbey is endowed in the eighteenth century with a new convent building and a court of honor, but the Revolution will be very damaging. The site now belongs to two different owners: the logis, the main courtyard, the monastic buildings and the Ciments Lafarge park, the cloister and the abbey church in the Charente department. Visit free access.
The Château de l'Oisellerie is also a must. Although it now houses a high school and an educational documentation center, it was built in the late sixteenth century on land previously owned by the abbey. Belonging to rich families of Angouleme, it was several times overhauled. The first castle that is now one of the wings of the complex is a two-storey building with a sloping roof covered with flat tiles. Two turrets form the angles of the primitive court. A square pavilion was later built between the square turret and the south gable. As for the north wing, the big cylindrical tower and the rectangular pavilion, it is from the middle of the 16th century. Note that the entrance has a pedestrian gate and a cavalry door surmounted by crenellations. Free visit on Wednesday afternoons, weekends and during school holidays or at exhibitions. Information on +33 5 45 67 31 67.
Finally, the last heritage jewel La Couronne is the mill of the Courade, a former stationery on a tributary of the Charente in 1634. Incorporated in the eighteenth century to the Royal Manufacture, it then falls into the private domain and is operated until Twentieth century. The imposing building (with the factory and its always visible machines and its workers' housing) is an example of industrial architecture. It was endowed with a castle for the entrepreneur of the XIXth century and a French park. Open every day. Entry: 3 euros. Information on +33 5 45 67 26 73.
To note on the territory, still, several strong houses and many paper mills.
In terms of the environment, two nature reserves bear witness to a rich biodiversity, a legacy of the marshes of yesteryear, and still preserved wooded areas are excellent walks, just like vineyard plots.
All these built or natural sites can be the object of hiking, walking or mountain biking. Note also that the GR4 linking Royan to Grasse crosses the territory of La Couronne. Documentation, maps and information on +33 5 45 95 16 84.
As for sports and leisure, in addition to the races organized on the racecourse of La Tourette (information on +33 5 45 61 23 74), one will benefit in July and August from the outdoor swimming pool equipped with leisure facilities. Entry: 1.80 and 3.20 euros. Information on +33 (0) 4 45 67 23 81. For a ride on horseback, contact the equestrian center on +33 5 45 61 25 20.
Finally, tennis fans must join the local club on +33 (0) 5 45 67 25 11 and for pétanque, contact +33 (0) 5 45 65 32 66.
In terms of culture, the city's new theater offers varied and quality shows all year round. Information on +33 5 45 67 28 11.
The last weekend of June, the city celebrates the feast of St. John. On the program, cavalcade and parade of floats, disguised pedestrian race, fairground attractions...
In July and August, the festival of La Grande Bugée program concerts, shows related to street arts and plays on the site of the abbey or in the city center. Free admission.
The first weekend of September, sports festival.
Finally, note that to discover the region's rich terroir, a market is held on Wednesday and Saturday morning at the Place de la Champ de Foire and a farm market in the hamlet of Pinotière (Grand Maine road). holds every Thursday from 4.30pm to 7pm.
