Attractions and Places To See around Salles-Lavalette - Top 13

Built during the second half of the 18th century, this mill ceased operation at the end of the 19th century. It served as an observation post for occupying troops from 1940 to 1941, and as a fire detection watchtower from 1973. While its ground floor provides welcome shelter from the weather, its viewpoint is only open to the west, and for a short time, its northern view being blocked by the new fir shoots, which will inevitably surround it completely.

Located on one of the paths to Santiago de Compostela, the Via Turonensis (Road to Tours), the Saint-Denys de Montmoreau church was built in the 12th century. It has retained its original appearance, with the exception of the square Romanesque bell tower which was completely modified in the mid-19th century by Paul Abadie. A Romanesque church whose façade is marked by a polylobed portal and two arcades. It consists of a nave covered with a barrel vault, a transept whose crossing has a dome on pendentives and a vast, very bright semicircular apse. The chevet bordering the road is decorated with a very prominent horizontal cordon supported by modillions representing human or animal faces. The magnificent Romanesque frontispiece has an arched portal whose five arches form an archivolt resting on slender columns with sculpted capitals. The inner arch is openworked by six lobes ending with symbolic animal heads. All the decorations bear witness to an oriental influence in the South-West Romanesque and especially to the virtuosity of the sculptors. https://www.montmoreau.fr/index-module-orki-page-view-id-115.html https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00104432/montmoreau-eglise-saint-denis

A stone's throw from Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, this overlooking position offers a superb view of the Dronne valley.

The extraordinary history of this grandiose residence began in 1924, in the heart of a small 19th century manor (to the left of the current façade): the troubadour castel of La Mercerie was then acquired by Alphonse and Raymond Réthoré. From then on, the two brothers, dreaming of the great Versailles, devoted all their resources to enlarging and embellishing the building. The work undertaken is commensurate with the ambition that drives it. Outside, colonnades and balusters in white stone soon extend the first building. the cut stone increases the gigantism and the rigor of a facade with a perfect rhythm. Inside, nothing is too beautiful for La Mercerie, Raymond brings back from his travels furniture and paintings, chandeliers and precious woods, marbles from Italy, azulejos from Portugal etc. He returns from Italy with a painter sculptor who will carry out on the spot the most monumental decorations with the assistance of the inhabitants of the country. The treasures are piling up, but 30 years of work will not be enough to complete the colossal project. The collections are dispersed during auctions in June 1987. When the two brothers died, the castle fell into oblivion, until the mobilization of the inhabitants of the town, who decided to found an association to safeguard this unique and prestigious heritage. The Béruges room, the central living room, the Vernet living room, the vestibule, the mahogany gallery and the large Azulejos gallery, each more impressive than the last, now fully conquers the visitor eager for cultural discoveries. A short tour of the belvedere of the castle allows you to admire it from the height. In the park of the castle, the rose garden and the arboretum can be visited by little train. The little train is random due to the health context and will be reserved for people with reduced mobility and children, and mainly on Sundays.

Pretty castle in height after a climb from Angoulême

Villebois-Lavalette castle is a real citadel overlooking the village of Villebois-Lavalette. Surrounded by a fortress with seven towers, it stands between Charente and Périgord. A medieval atmosphere floats at its approach. This medieval castle more than a thousand years old, with exceptional architecture, overlooks a charming village labeled "Small City of Character" and "capital of Cornuelle". In 1980, this old citadel was crumbling under ivy, brambles and time, a dynamic was set in motion for its restoration for 18 years. In 2000, Mr. Norbert FRADIN, promoter and patron from Bordeaux passionate about heritage and its preservation, became the owner. He is working to restore it to give it back its superb appearance, its impressive enclosure bristling with seven towers finally reveals its secrets. Something to delight all curious young and old, as well as history lovers.

Its dazzling white stone facade extends over 220 meters in length, in the middle of a 50 Ha green setting. Some rare and remarkable trees adorn the walk through the park.

superb place with a beautiful panorama 😄