Although this blogger's Charente garden lies bang in the middle of the countryside, it is far from boring or lacking in stimulation. Apart from the fantastic views, there are many footpaths meandering through the woods, between tended cognac vineyards and rolling sunflower-covered hillsides.
Having more time on our hands during the winter months we decided to write our own little guide to walking in the Charente, accompanied with many illustrations and hand-drawn maps.
Much history abounds and our researches began 100 million years ago, when a sea covered the Charentes, as evidenced by fossils in the form of shells which are found everywhere. Not far from us, archeologists discovered important finds dating to the Neanderthal period. Footpaths cross routes which were once important Roman roads and cut down into valleys where isolated Romanesque churches stand, for the most part, abandoned.
Amongst the many medieval churches is the Knight's Templar chapel at Cressac, with its world renowned unique frescoes which depict scenes from the crusades as well as St George.
Our book, "Walks & Drives", sets about to reveal some of these hidden charms and history of the countryside and towns of the ancient regions of the Charentes : the Angoumois and Saintonge, including the towns and cities of Aubeterre, Angouleme, Cognac and Saintes. Illustrated with more than 150 pen and ink
drawings, it offers a choice of twenty-one different mostly circular walks...all of varying length. Each itinery includes directions along with hand-drawn maps and comment in both FRENCH and ENGLISH.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy you can buy one on Amazon, linked here. Or, if you have any problems, contact me.
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