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Montbron

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Charente

Montbron - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Charente
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The commune of Montbron takes place in New-Aquitaine, in the department of Charente. Populated by a little more than 2,200 inhabitants, it is located not far from Angoulême, only three kilometers from the Dordogne. It is also part of the nature reserve of the Valley of the Renaudie.

Inhabited since Prehistory, Montbron really takes life only in the Gallo-Roman era with the foundation of an oppidum. Barony of great importance in the Middle Ages, the commune was known at the time to be on a secondary route of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and then welcomed many pilgrims.

Today, the city of Montbron has become famous in luxury leather goods with the installation of a Hermès workshop, and still offers an architectural heritage of great importance to appreciate the rich history of this charentaise commune.

Geographical information

MunicipalityMontbron
Postcode16220
Tourism label
Latitude45.6668480 (N 45° 40’ 1”)
Longitude0.4988900 (E 0° 29’ 56”)
AltitudeFrom 95m to 284m
Surface area43.34 km²
Population2031 inhabitants
Density46 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureAngoulême (33 km, 35 min)
Insee code16223
IntercommunalityCC La Rochefoucauld porte du Périgord
DepartmentCharente
TerritoryCharentes
RegionNew-Aquitaine

Nearest cities & towns

Orgedeuil3.1 km (5 min)
Vouthon4.3 km (7 min)
Eymouthiers4.7 km (7 min)
Saint-Sornin6.1 km (7 min)
Écuras6.3 km (9 min)
Rouzède7.1 km (11 min)
Moulins-sur-Tardoire7.4 km (10 min)
Soudat7.7 km (11 min)
Feuillade8.4 km (13 min)
Marthon9 km (11 min)
Souffrignac9.9 km (16 min)
Saint-Germain-de-Montbron10.2 km (14 min)
Mazerolles11.2 km (14 min)
Bussière-Badil11.4 km (15 min)
Marillac-le-Franc11.4 km (16 min)

Things to see and do

Built in the 12th century and renovated in the 19th century, the Saint-Maurice church has been classified as a Historic Monument. Romanesque style, it is in white stone, luminous, and perfectly represents the architectural style of the region. Inside, we can see funerary monuments of the thirteenth century.

Other religious buildings also take place on the commune of Montbron, such as the chapel of Sainte-Marthe or the chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Secours. A lantern of the dead is also found in the old cemetery.

The current castle of Montbron was built in the 15th century, under the orders of Marguerite de Rohan, Countess of Angoulême. However, some remains of the original building can be seen, notably through the Romanesque dungeon. Inscribed in the Historical Monuments, the building still has a polygonal turret, as well as a beautiful spiral staircase. On the first floor, 17th century painted mantelpieces have been classified as Historic Monuments.

Also listed, Chabrot Castle dates back to the 15th century, and was strongly modified in the 17th century. One can still admire this house with turrets and a gallery with two levels. You will not fail to admire the castle of Ferrières, registered with the Historical Monuments, the castle of Menet, inscribed, or even the castles of Marendat and Montgaudier. The castle of Sainte-Catherine has been transformed into a hotel, while the castle of Lavaud now hosts guest rooms.

Always present, the Barbacane used to serve as the main entrance to the ancient fortified city. Its ramp has been recently renovated and goes from the castle of Montbron to the lower town.

Dating from the Palaeolithic period, the cave of Fontechevade has been classified as a Historic Monument.

Nature lovers will be enchanted and will be able to learn to hike in the nature reserve of the valley of the Renaud, or on the hiking trail, GR 4, which goes from Royan to Grasse passing through the commune of Montbron.

Places of interest

Information points
Monuments

Events and festivities

The weekly market is held every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday morning. A night market is held on the first Friday of August. A Christmas market is also available in mid-December.

Every last weekend of February, the town celebrates the mills of Bandiat and Tardoire.

In July, the old castle's summer houses offer regular exhibitions in the building. The municipality also benefits from Active Summer, an initiative of the General Council that offers cultural and sporting activities throughout the summer.

A big bric-a-brac is organized every Sunday after July 14th.

Fariboles, festival of the tale and the imaginary, is held each year at the end of September.

The last weekend of September, the feast of Saint-Maurice offers a fair for three days.

Photos

St. Martha's Chapel
St. Martha's Chapel
See photo
Tourist Office
Tourist Office
See photo
The village
The village
See photo
Town hall
Town hall
See photo
Memorial
Memorial
See photo
The village
The village
See photo
St. Martha's Chapel
St. Martha's Chapel
See photo
The village
The village
See photo
The village
The village
See photo
The village
The village
See photo
Priory Saint-Maurice
Priory Saint-Maurice
See photo
Priory Saint-Maurice
Priory Saint-Maurice
See photo
Priory Saint-Maurice
Priory Saint-Maurice
See photo
Priory Saint-Maurice
Priory Saint-Maurice
See photo

Weather

Tuesday 19 march
Min. 7°C - Max. 19°C
Day
Night
Wednesday 20 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 22°C
Day
Night
Thursday 21 march
Min. 11°C - Max. 20°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Face de Tract Escape Game
Entertainment52 € to 84 € La Rochefoucauld-en-Angoumois (12.2 km)
L'Oisellerie agricultural college's gourmet food shop
Local flavoursFreeLa Couronne (31 km)
Sightseeing cruise in the Venice of Périgord
Entertainment7 € to 10 € Brantôme en Périgord (36 km)
Tour and tasting at the Domaine Montansier
Local flavoursFreeGraves-Saint-Amant (46 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Banks of the Tardoire
HikeEasy1:30Eymouthiers (4.4 km)
Trotte-Renard Mill
Village visitEasy1:30Bunzac (12.1 km)
From Saint-Estèphe in Piégut
HikeEasy4:00Saint-Estèphe (15.3 km)
La Vallade loop
HikeEasy3:30Saint-Saud-Lacoussière (28 km)
Loop of Vendoire
HikeEasy2:30Vendoire (32 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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