Attractions and Places To See around Brie - Top 20

On the forecourt of Angoulême train station are two stone monuments erected in homage to the author of the comic strip: a menhir and an obelisk. On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the death of René Goscinny, the René Goscinny Institute, with the support of the International Comic Strip Festival, is offering the City of Angoulême, the international capital of comic strips, a monument that will last a long time. Built in a public place, passers-by will be able to appropriate this obelisk and have fun deciphering its inscriptions. The obelisk for Goscinny is a stone monolith on which are engraved 82 quotes taken from the works of the screenwriter including Asterix, Lucky Luke, Iznogoud, Le Petit Nicolas, Les Dingodossiers... Some of these phrases are part of our everyday language: "They are crazy these Romans", "Find the magic potion", "Be afraid that the sky will fall on our heads", "Shoot faster than your shadow", "Want to be caliph in the place of the caliph"... Translated into 150 languages and dialects, the work of René Goscinny has traveled around the world. Thanks to his qualities as a screenwriter and the talent of his co-authors, Albert Uderzo, Morris, Sempé, Tabary, Gotlib, the comic strip becomes the 9th art. This monument is a tribute to the entire comic strip. https://www.angouleme-tourisme.com/equipement/parvis-de-la-gare-lobelisque-et-le-menhir/#:~:text=Cet%20ob%C3%A9lisque%20BD%20a%20%C3%A9t%C3%A9,cultes%20des%20albums%20d'Ast%C3%A9rix.

In the heart of the city, this town hall is truly impressive. This public building, the former castle of the Counts of Angoulême, was built in ten years starting in 1858. Paul Abadie Fils, the architect, will preserve two towers, one from the 13th century, the other from the 15th century. The monument presents different architectural styles, witnesses to the history of the city.

15th century stone bridge known as that of the Château de la Rochefoucauld. From the building, there is a superb view of the imposing castle and the waters of the Tardoire. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1935. The castle, renowned for being one of the most beautiful and oldest in Charente, can be visited all year round. It is the only castle in France that has been inhabited by the same family for more than 1,000 years. Do not miss !

In the heart of Charente, the Château de la Rochefoucauld stands like a page of history mixed with an enchanted tale. Built around the 16th century on the site of an 11th century fortress, this gem has been cherished by the same family since its earliest days. And that’s something! Strolling through its rooms or admiring the landscape from its towers, you feel the weight of history. It's as if the castle whispers to us both history lessons and stories of adventure.

This magical 16th century Renaissance castle is built on an 11th century fortress whose towers have been preserved. The castle and its gardens have been classified as a historical monument since 1955. Definitely worth the short detour!

Appearing in 1019 with Foucauld, lord of La Roche, the La Rochefoucauld family has long been considered a branch of the Lusignan, due to the similarity of their arms. It seems, in reality, that Foucauld was a close relative of the Viscount of Limoges, descendant of a Grand of the court of Charlemagne. Only four other families in France (including that of the Capetians) can claim such seniority. The history of the castle is inseparable from the history of the La Rochefoucauld family which, itself, is part of the political life of its time, century after century. The castle of La Rochefoucauld provides a remarkable illustration of the interweaving of politics and architecture through the life of a family which has continuously owned the castle since Fucaldus laid the first fortification around 980. With the history of the La Rochefoucauld family, the use of architecture for social and political purposes finds one of its most spectacular manifestations. This earned it the justified title of “pearl of Angoumois”. The castle is an anthology of seven centuries of architecture and the home of the La Rochefoucauld family, still present for over a thousand years. To see: the monumental Renaissance staircase (108 steps!), the boudoir of Marguerite de Valois, the kitchens dug into the karst, the state rooms, guards, the 18th century libraries, the main courtyard and its galleries from the 16th.

Angoulême Town Hall is a public building built from 1858 to 18693 in the heart of the upper town of Angoulême. Designed by the architect Paul Abadie in a fairly eclectic style inspired in large part by medieval aesthetics and punctuated by some references to the Renaissance or Classicism3, it stands on the site of the former count's castle, which it does not only the Lusignan keep (13th century) and the Valois tower (15th century) remain 4. The belfry, which overhangs the whole and accentuates its monumental character, is largely posterior to these two constructions (19th century). The town hall is surrounded by terraces of cafes and restaurants as well as flower beds inspired by French gardens. Nearby, Place New York connects the town hall with the promenade du rempart Desaix, a little further to the west.

This building, in the heart of Angoulême, was formerly a castle and provincial residence and was transformed into a town hall from 1858 to 1869. It is built on the site where the castle of the Counts of Angoulême once stood. Two towers of the old castle have been incorporated into the building. It now contains museums of art and archaeology.