Craftsmanship

Looking for a quiet spot to share a picnic with your family? Then head for the picnic area at Bonnes, near the Dronne.
Located behind the village church, this area offers several tables for lunch. It is also a landing and embarkation site for canoe trips.



Once you have eaten your meal, you can navigate the meandering Dronne and enjoy an incredible experience.

Why not treat your taste buds to a picnic in a rural setting? In front of the village hall, take a break in the shade of the lime trees and enjoy your sandwich.
Free parking is available for easy access to the site. The area has two wooden tables and litter bins. Public toilets are available in the village hall.

History keeps us in the heart of the 13th century. Here we are in front of the Château de Bonnes.
It is currently built on the foundations of the medieval castle which was the seigneurial seat of the Lambert family for six centuries, from the eleventh to the sixteenth century, sometimes in the domain of the King of France, sometimes under the British crown.

At first glance one does not imagine that it was a very large and beautiful castle, with a prestigious history, having been a jewel of La Marthonie, Pompadour and d'Esparbès de Lussan d'Aubeterre, counts of Bonnes, that it was the home of a close friend of François I, of a Marshal of France, of famous Lieutenants General of the King.

Shortly after the end of the Hundred Years War, an heiress of Lambert, Jeanne de Camblezac, married Robert de La Marthonie, and the castle was almost entirely rebuilt in the Renaissance style. This family of La Marthonie, which included several powerful figures of the Kingdom, left traces of their power as well as artistic vestiges throughout the Dronne basin, including the famous castle of Puyguilhem, built by the brother of Robert de La Marthonie .

The church of Saint-Pierre and Sainte-Radegonde was built at the end of the 12th century, beginning of the 13th. It has many elements dating from the Renaissance (chapels, portal, bell tower, bell), which is one of the major interests of the building.
The two chapels, the bell tower and the façade were built in the first half of the 16th century. The church has a bell dating from the 16th century, which makes it one of the oldest in the department.



In the choir of the church is a beautiful wooden altarpiece, dating from the 18th century and protected as a Historic Monument. It is adorned with three painted canvases depicting Saint Peter, Saint Radegonde and the Annunciation.

On the threshold of Périgord, near Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of the most beautiful villages in France, this authentic gîte has been set up in an old barn, in a green setting on the banks of the Dronne.

Fishing Cottage (Gîtes de France)
Ground floor: large living room with bright kitchen, 1 bedroom (160 bed, shower room and wc). Floor: 2 bedrooms opening onto balcony (1 with 2 single beds, 2 bunk beds + shower room, 1 with 160 bed + baby bed), bathroom, wc, children's play area in the loft. Adjoining external annex, made up of 1 linen room (sink, shower, storage space), and 1 open room + wc. Free Internet (computer not provided), Mobicarte phone. Sheets provided, beds made, poss. regular housekeeping. Heating to be regulated on reading. 300m² enclosed garden with trees, terrace. Available free of charge: boat with or without engine, canoes, life jackets, many bicycles on loan, table tennis.

At the borders with the Périgord, the gîte is set up in an old house with exposed stone walls, adjoining the owner's house but is not overlooked.
Big terrace with a good view and leisure equipment. Ground floor: lounge with a kitchen, shower room, toilet, linen room. Upstairs: mezzanine with a double bed, a bedroom with a single bed and a chair-bed. 3G key. Terrace, 700m² private garden, swing, bike, table tennis. 10 min. away is Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of the most beautiful villages in France. By request, walks with donkeys are possible. A tree-top adventure centre is located 4km away.

At the borders with the Périgord, the gîte is set up in an old house with exposed stone walls.
Ground floor: living room with kitchen and utility room, sitting room with fireplace, wc. First floor: 5 bedrooms, including a master bedroom with en-suite shower room, a bedroom with double bed (140cm) and balcony, 1 bedroom with double bed (140cm), 1 bedroom with double bed (120cm), 1 bedroom with single bed (90cm), dressing room and shower room with separate wc. Wifi, private garden, shed for 2 cars. Table tennis, barbecue, garden furniture, etc. available. Horses welcome. Pellet stove heating on ground floor and electric convector heaters upstairs.

Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of France's most beautiful villages, is 10 minutes away. Accrobranche 4km away.

Near Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, this charming house welcomes you with 2 pleasant bed&breakfast with air-conditioning.

Pilgrims on St-James's Way will have an adapted welcome.

The sculpture "L'homme libre", also known as "L'AMAZIGH", can be seen at the side of a small country road in the village of Laprade.

Symbolising the human struggle for freedom, it was made from the remains of the Gustave Eiffel bridge.
The sculptor RACHID KHIMOUNE used the steel beams picked up during the demolition of the 'Gustave Eiffel' bridge which used to cross the 'Astier', a small Dronne river tributary. This bridge is now replaced by a concrete bridge. In gratitude to the town of Laprade for offering him the 'wastes' of this bridge, the artist donated this sculpture to Laprade. AMAZIGH means 'free man' in Berber language. This ancestral symbol is found in several civilizations, depicting the Man, arms raised and legs apart. From the material and its reconstruction emerges a force and an energy expressing the eternal struggle of the human for the conquest of their freedom. To fulfill the urban dimension of his work, Rachid Khimoune has made castings on the concrete base which represents different sewer plates from several cities of the world.

Independent single-storey gîte surrounded by large private enclosed grounds, in a hamlet in the South Charente.
Living room with kitchen, three bedrooms each with 1 double bed, two bedrooms each with 2 single beds, 2 shower rooms, 2 separate toilets. Hi-fi system, DVD player, billiards table. Terrace, courtyard and enclosed garden, 4 ha land with pond, semi-buried wooden structure swimming pool (5.50 m x 6.50 m, protected by an alarm and a fence), all reserved for the gîte.

Between two thrilling activities, come and relax over an open-air barbecue at the Poltrot leisure centre. There are picnic tables and two barbecues available for free use.
Sit in the shade for a picnic and, after a digestive break, take the opportunity to swim in the Dronne. Its water is reputed to be the cleanest in France. Adventurers will enjoy a canoeing trip down the river, as well as a walk suspended in the trees 5 metres high.

This accrobranche park is located on the leisure base of Poltrot in the south of the Charente. In the middle of nature, in the heart of the vegetation, the park has been thought to give you intense sensations of freedom and adventure! So, do you want to try?
Travel "weasel" blue level, from 7 year - 1m10: Tyrolean, barrels, suspended beams, encircle transported convicts...

Travel "squirrel" orange level, from 9 year - 1m30: hut, tyrococo, sled, barrels... Travel "fox cub" green level, from 3 years, in Free access



Free access: tyrococo, bridge of monkey, surfing of tops, Tyrolean...

The vegetal maze of Poltrot is one of the biggest perennial one in France. It is located on the leisure base of the same name, a true bubble of nature located in the Charente countryside, crossed by the river Dronne.
Whether you do it at your own pace or as quickly as possible, alone or in a group, let yourself be tempted by a unique experience in the heart of a life-size plant maze. Will you find your way out before everyone else?

Treasure hunts and orienteering available. Map available at the site reception.

This water mill is located on the Dronne river, in the heart of the leisure base of Poltrot. Today, an association led by Mr. William, a real enthusiast of the mill, is slowly restoring it to working order and tell its secrets to the visitors.
The Moulin de Poltrot was a wheat mill used from the 15th century to the first half of the 19th century. In 1946 it becomes a flourmill and can produce, with the help of a turbine, 2 tonnes of flour per day. All year round, visits are possible by reservation.

The leisure center of Poltrot is a real natural bubble located in the south of the Charente. Many activities will delight young and old in this bucolic space where the river Dronne meanders between the trees, ideal for family moments.
In free access, it offers family walks along the Dronne, picnic and relaxation areas (tables, barbecues, bowling ...), places of peach, but also more sporting activities with the acrobatic course in height, a labyrinth of vegetation or a descent by canoe.

The Community of Communes "Lavalette Tude Dronne" develops the site of the mill of Poltrot in outdoor leisure base.

Immerse yourself in the equestrian world with this adventure perfect for all the family.

Start your training here to be the next Robin Hood!

At the picturesque village of Aubeterre sur Dronne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the most beautiful villages in France, our B & B ‘ Chapeau de Soleil ’ 4000m2 is in peace, between valleys in the French southwest. The ideal place for a relax
Our Bed & Breakfast ‘ HAPEAU DE SOLEIL ’ is a stone's throw from the cozy, picturesque village of Aubeterre sur Dronne, in an hamlet with 8 houses, surrounded by the valleys in the southwest of France with a view of Aubeterre sur Dronne. An ideal place to enjoy a wonderful holiday and where the French atmosphere is easy to taste.



'HAPEAU DE SOLEIL' in a garden of 4000m2, is originally a farm from 1847 and has been renovated into a farmhouse, lying in the campaign between the sunflowers and corn fields 1.5 km from the characteristic village of Aubeterre sur Dronne, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and where time has stood still. An artificial sandy beach has been built along the Dronne River with a restaurant and live music in high season. Where you can swim, play tennis and canoe.



For a relaxing holiday in a rural environment, you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life in 'HAPEAU DE SOLEIL' and fully come back to yourself, enjoy the surrounding nature, where deer, foxes, martens, squirrels and many bird species have their habitat.

Let yourself be surprised by 1h30 of challenges and riddles in a natural setting. A digital adventure to share with family or friends!
Go on an adventure with Poltrot's new Explor Games: 1h30 of fun and educational puzzles on the site's history and biodiversity! Ideal for discovering or rediscovering, with family or friends, all the riches of the site.



Accessible from 7 to 77 years old

Price : more informations www.poltrot.fr

Tablet available

5 people max. / Tablet

A departure every 10 minutes

The Aubeterre sur Dronne leisure centre has a number of picnic tables set in a grassy area beside the River Dronne. In summer, the trees provide shade for your meal.
Children will love the nearby play areas and the beach where they can let off steam. The canoeing and kayaking centre also offers canoe, paddle and pedalo trips on the Dronne.

A unique and convivial experience! Compose your own meal and enjoy it on the spot.

Bring your own cutlery and enjoy a great time. The market will be followed by an open-air cinema!

As night falls, enjoy an open-air cinema in the natural setting of the Poltrot leisure park. Come and enjoy a good film with your family! (Name of film to be announced)

As night falls, enjoy an open-air cinema in the natural setting of the Poltrot leisure park. Come and enjoy a good film with your family!
Just before, enjoy the farmers' market!

A unique and convivial experience! Compose your own meal and enjoy it on the spot.

Bring your own cutlery and enjoy a great time. The market will be followed by an open-air cinema!

The leisure center, located at the edge of the river Dronne, enjoys a breathtaking view of one of the Most Beautiful Village of France, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne. You can swim in the Dronne with its beach and supervised in season.
A playground for children, a sand playground for volleyball are also available for free. For the lunch break, you can enjoy picnic tables on the grassy and shaded part. In season, the bar area, snack bar, grill welcomes you throughout the day and offers entertainment: karaoke, concerts etc ... for more and more conviviality! Next door, rent a canoe, kayak, pedal boat or even a stand up paddle for a ride over the water.

Enjoy a trip on the Dronne Valley at the rhythm of the water. This majestic river, a paradise of flora and fauna, will be revealed to you by the Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Canoeing Club.
Tao and his seasonal staff welcome you on site all summer long to guide you on hiking trips (by the hour, half-day or day). Once a week, a 2-hour night walk is proposed. Come and experience the sunset and the awakening of the fauna, while enjoying an unusual walk.



Other activities are also available on site: paddleboat and pedal boat hire.



Outside the summer period, it is compulsory to book by telephone or by e-mail. The departure dates are likely to vary according to the weather conditions.

Bois émoi is a joinery company based in Charente that designs and makes made-to-measure furniture (bookcases, beds, dressing rooms, kitchens, tables, etc.), Montessori teaching materials and decorative items (lamps, picture frames, etc.).
Bois émoi is a small joinery company that uses untreated wood to make bespoke furniture to meet customers' needs. XXL table 6m long, baby bed accessible to parents in wheelchairs, decking in local wood, cododo cradle, dog kennel with balcony, ... Bois émoi meets all your expectations!

Subligraphy workshop.

Personal production and screen printing for individuals and professionals.
Come and discover the workshop of Jicé Léoni "sublimeur d'mages".

From a digital file of a photo and through a heat press, he reproduces images on aluminum plates, fabrics...

Learn to cast bronze using the lost wax technique with Abdoulaye Kaboré! A unique 5-day course to discover this ancestral art. ✨