Community of nearly 3 000 inhabitants, La Rochefoucauld takes place in New-Aquitaine region, in the department of Charente. It has been classified as a stopover village since 2013 and is located not far from Angoulême, near the Braconne forest and the Tardoire valley.
Founded probably in the Gallo-Roman era, the city of La Rochefoucauld began to develop in the early Middle Ages. Fortified in the thirteenth century, it knew a golden age in the early sixteenth century with the development of industry and commerce. Very closely linked to the fate of the family of Rochefoucauld, from which the famous writer of the same name is born, the history of the city is rich, as evidenced by the heritage still visible today.
Pleasant and very well located to discover the rest of the tourist sites of the Charente, the commune of La Rochefoucauld does not leave visitors passing through the region indifferent.
Nicknamed the pearl of Angoumois, the castle of La Rochefoucauld is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Occupied by the family of the same name for over 1,000 years, it is now classified as Historic Monuments. Constructed in the 14th century, on the remains of a medieval fortress, it presents superimposed galleries, as well as a spiral staircase that would have been designed, according to some, by Leonardo da Vinci himself. Renaissance style, the building also has a chapel vaulted with ogives, as well as some vestiges of Gothic style in the south wing. The entrance is made by a châtelet with two towers dating from the middle of the 14th century. During the visit, it is possible to admire more than twenty furnished rooms, as well as an important collection of paintings representing the various members of the family of La Rochefoucauld over the centuries. A reception room and guest rooms are also available.
Built at the beginning of the 14th century and enlarged in the 15th and 16th centuries, the convent of the Carmelites was used as a college between the 19th and 20th centuries after a few refurbishments. There is also a 14th-century church, the bell tower in the shape of a polygonal tower, a cloister of the late 14th century, and a vaulted ogive. The whole of the construction has been classified to the Historic Monuments.
Gothic style building, Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption-et-Saint-Cybard church was built in the 13th century. Quickly erected as a collegiate church, it reveals a bell tower of the early 14th century, as well as bells of the mid-16th century. Despite numerous ravages and looting under the French Revolution, the church has regained its splendor and was classified as a Historic Monument in the early 20th century.
Situated on a private property, the church of Olérat dates from the 12th century. Inscribed in the Historical Monuments, it presents a very beautiful sculpted facade.
Note that the bridge that spans the Tardoire, built in the 15th century, has also been listed in the Historic Monuments.
The market is held every Wednesday and Sunday morning. A Christmas market is also offered in December.
Medieval festival, La Roche à Foucauld takes place every year in July. For the occasion, professionals and volunteers propose period reconstructions, a medieval market, musical animations or even parades in costumes.
In July, the city also hosts the La Roche festival La La. This musical event takes place over several days, offering various and varied concerts and closing on a fireworks display.
