Mansle is a town in Charente, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 30 km north of Angoulême.
The territory of the locality is crossed by the course of the Charente which is divided into arms at its entrance into the town, forming an island that overlooks the town.
Traces of human occupation since the Neolithic have been brought to light, and during Antiquity, the small town is located at the crossroads of Roman roads. Stronghold dependent on the county of Angoulême, in the Middle Ages, Mansle also falls under the canons of this same city, who established a first church in the eleventh century.
Object of covetousness between civil and religious lords, the village is a fortified period and has a castle which will be destroyed at the end of the 19th century.
The locality long renowned for its fairs, its mills and flour mills is now approaching 1,700 inhabitants. Its heritage and environment, its cultural vitality and its "natural" leisure offer in the Charente valley make it a popular stopover along the RN10 during a stay in the region.
A discovery of the heritage of the village includes first of all its church dedicated to Saint-Léger. It was remodeled and enlarged in the 15th century (the date appears on the portal) and in the 16th on the bases of a first building of the 12th century. It remains a testimony: a Romanesque semicircular window at the wall "north". It houses a 17th century painting depicting "The Resurrection of the Jairian Girl" and a carved and painted wooden altarpiece from the 18th century, both protected as historical monuments. Finally note that the organ of the church has been restored and allows for the organization of regular concerts.
In terms of heritage "civil", we note that the town hall, built in the late nineteenth century on the site of the old seigniorial castle has retained a Renaissance style door.
North of the village, on the right bank of the Charente, the castle of Goué was the subject of quarrels formerly to determine which parish it depended. This beautiful building built on the foundations of the fourteenth century has preserved Renaissance-style towers connected by a later main building (eighteenth). The estate was once owned by a branch of the family of La Rochefoucauld.
Back in the village, we finally see the beautiful bridge spanning the river that connected the village to the relay station and the amazing washhouse that has been preserved below the art work.
However, it is its environmental heritage that is the primary wealth of the town.
The beautiful Jean-Pierre Lanson park, built in the 1980s, is located in an old sand quarry. It features a rich arboretum of 80 varieties and a formidable collection of 400 varieties of fuchsias donated by the former president of the Franco European Fuchsiaphilie Society. The space became a "fuchsia acclimatization garden". An artificial waterfall and river have been created to provide a pleasant setting for this collection. The park is open all year but note that fuchsias bloom from mid-July. Free entry. Information on +33 5 45 22 20 43.
The entire Charente valley is classified Natura 2000 for the richness of its ecosystem. What to embellish a green hiking... Several routes have been marked on the territory of the locality: one of them allows to connect the historic sites, another is devoted to the many laundries and fountains of yore. Some circuits include incursions on neighboring communes. Finally, various length loops dedicated to mountain bikers are also available. Brochures, maps and information on +33 5 45 31 05 42.
From Mansle you can also join the local hiking club (every Monday afternoon). Contact the +33 6 35 91 11 22.
On the small base next to the campsite, on the edge of Charente, a rental point for canoes, kayaks and paddles has been set up. The local club also offers courses or introductory sessions. Information on +33 6 32 85 87 29.
With a pool of 25 m, a play area and lawns with shaded areas, the municipal outdoor pool can reconcile sport and idleness. It is open on Wednesdays and weekends in June and every day in July and August. Price: 2 and 3 euros. Information on +33 5 45 20 34 99.
Sport again with the opportunity to play a game of tennis by booking a court at +33 5 42 22 77 56.
More rare, the town has a racetrack, in a rural setting, where are scheduled late June and mid-August trotting races giving rise to betting. Information on +33 5 45 20 79 74 or +33 6 04 17 15 73.
Finally, for fishing enthusiasts, the Charente or the streams that flow into it can be pleasant. Learn about the regulations on +33 6 18 59 63 38.
On the cultural level, the media library of the town regularly organizes events, meetings and exhibitions. Information on +33 5 45 22 74 30.