AroundAngles-sur-Anglin

In one of the most beautiful villages of France, you will be able to discover two exceptional places : the reconstitution of a prehistorical rock shelter, home of the longest sculpted freize and the ruins of an 11th century castle proudly dominating the valley. A journey throught time ensured in Angles-sur-l'Anglin!

The ruins of an 11th century castle proudly dominating the valley.

Unique in the world, Saint-Savin Abbey has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. The richness of its paintings and their amazing state of preservation indeed justify its nickname « Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque period ». With the help of digital enhancement, Saint-Savin Abbey invites you to travel back in time to the period when Romanesque art come to life !

The name of this abbey comes from its founder, Isambaut de l'Etoile, brother of Pierre de l'Etoile founder of the Abbey of Fontgombault, who established a community of hermits on the lands of Monsieur de Cenvis, a Lord of Chauvigny. The hermitage became a Benedictine community in 1124, and joined the Cistercians in 1145.Destroyed during the 100 Years War, the regime of the Commende, and the Wars of Religion, the Abbey was ceded to the state, and became a farm in 1792. Thanks to one of the members of the Commende, canon of the Cathedral of Quebec, the Abbey was able to welcome the Acadian refugees who were given lodgings by the Maquis de Perusses des Cars, which action merits the appreciation of Acadian descendants.The Abbey was the home of famous Abbots, notably the great theologian Isaac de l'Etoile.The Abbey is currently being restored. Visit the chapter house, the chapel, and the permanent exhibition of the Abbey Mill.

Embark on the bridge of Angles sur l'Anglin and discover the magnificent valley of Anglin. From 2h to the day come sailing on this calm and bucolic river. 

All year this course in the heart of history will make you discover the different buildings built in the upper town from the 11th to the 15th century. The powerful castle of Bishops, residence of the lords of Chauvigny, the castles of Montléon, Harcourt and Gouzon, and the tower of Flins, will have no secrets for you. Masterpiece of Romanesque art, the collegiate Saint-Pierre will punctuate this journey during the Middle Ages.

The Acadian line consists of 57 houses built in 1773 for the Acadian families who were expelled from Canada. You can still visit 38 houses built of cob, one of which is furnished and houses the Acadian Museum that retraces the history of the exiles from New-France.

This embroidery is called "Jours d'Angles" because after threading off threads, we can see the light of the day across the fabric ! And because we stayed in Angles-sur-l'Anglin. This technic of embroidery consists in counted pulled threads which will allow to create varied essentially geometrical motives.This technic exists since Antic period and has been developped in Angles from the middle of the Nineteenth Century, and in the surrounding villages as well. At the same time, the shirt trade was deployed in Berry, the neighboured region. The quality and the sharpness of the "Jours" made the fame of this handcraft during a century, and the best period of this production was between 1920 and 1950. At this time, 300 "ajoureuses" were working in Angles as the population was around one thousand and fifty hundred inhabitants. All the women were working as "ajoureuses" and this activity conferred them a real autonomy and an authority within their families.

Nestled between Touraine and Poitou, the town of La Roche-Posay is marked by its thermal spa tradition. La Roche-Posay’s thermal waters have been recognised for their beneficial properties for skin conditions for over five centuries. Discover the fortified Romanesque church, the donjon, half-timbered houses but also its racecourse, casino and balneotherapy area.