Statue Corto Maltese Angoulême

The eight must-do things on a visit to Angoulême

1hour 40 minutes from Paris and 35 minutes from Bordeaux by train, the historical town of Angoulême is these days renowned as the International Comic Strip Capital, thanks to its famous festival, Comic Strip Museum and cartoon-covered walls. Let me show you some of the best spots in and around Angoulême with eight ideas to test in a day or over a weekend.

1. Keep fit in the open air

The active types among you can start the day off with a jog or a walk around the 'interpretation circuit' on the Île Marquet.

This natural gem, in the heart of Angoulême, and also in the middle of the Charente river, gives you a chance to get back into nature surrounded by birdsong and to take a trip back in time through its historical heritage. Incredible view of the town.

2. The place to go for tastes and flavours

As you continue exploring Angoulême, don't miss the chance to wander round the Angoulême covered market with its local farmers and their produce. The opportunity to discover a monument inspired by the famous Pavillon Baltard in Paris designed by the architect Edouard Warin.

3. Get a view from the top

Make the most of being at the Place des Halles to visit the ramparts. You get to see all of the old town of Angoulême by walking the whole way around. This lovely walk will give you breathtaking views and enables you to discover a more secret Angoulême with its paved streets, noble façades and listed buildings. As you wander round, be sure not to miss the façade of Saint Peter's Cathedral and the exhibitions in the Angoulême Museum. Allow about an hour from the Market Place to the Carnot Statue at the Desaix Rampart (excluding guided visits).

Angoulême mur peint

5. Walls and Bubbles

Angoulême, known throughout the world as the International Comic Strip Capital has been exhibiting the 9th art on its walls since 1982. Discover about twenty painted walls that interact with the spectators and/or architecture.

The town of Angoulême has devised two software applications to guide you on your way round:
Available on Google Play: Google Play
Available on App Store: App Store

Scéances de dédicaces au festival de la BD d'Angoulême

6. Culture Break

To continue your immersion in the town of the Cartoon, I suggest you head to the foot of the ramparts, on the banks of the Charente. There, in the Saint Cybard area of the city you'll find the impressive glass and steel vessel of the Cité de la Bande Dessinée and by taking the Hugo Pratt walkway, the majestic Comic Strip Museum and its campus, unique in Europe.
For more information: www.citebd.org

In the same part of town, continue your cultural visit of town by finding out about the paper industry. A fun and instructive visit to The Paper Museum is an absolute local must-do! And to continue the adventure, rendez-vous in one of the many paper mills that surround the town, such as the Moulin de la Courade registered on the list of Historical Monuments, located just south of the La Couronne.

7. A relaxing evening

After all your visiting, sit back and relax on the terraces of the bars and restaurants dotted around the Covered Market in Old Angoulême. There's plenty of choice and something for everyone! One of the most popular bars is the Blues Rock Café.

For dinner, if you're looking for an authentic, relaxed atmosphere, head for
Bruleau Charentais!

The menu and dining room are small, but you're guaranteed fresh, tasty cooking every time. If you're after a more hushed atmosphere, go to Restaurant La Ruelle a benchmark in terms of gastronomy.

8. Where to spend the night?

Here are my two favourite addresses if you're staying the night: Hôtel Mercure and Hôtel Saint Gelais.

The Hôtel Mercure located opposite the Market Hall is perfect for spending a night in the heart of town. If you stay there during the annual Comic Strip Festival, you'll be rubbing shoulders with all the big names in comic strips from across the world!

The Saint Gelais is a boutique hotel situated on the ramparts. You'll find a unique atmosphere in this former Diocesan house at the foot of the Aubezine Church, history mixed with contemporary touches and tones.

Angouleme 

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