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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 12, 2007 23:45:41 GMT -5
We have made some trips to Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, in the Poitou Charente, in the past 18 months so here's a composite trip report, consisting mostly of pictures. Aubeterre has been there for more than 1000 years, as evidenced by the fact that one of its churches (which is dug into a cliff face), St. Jean, dates back to at least the 900s. It has a fortified chateau above that church, which dates to the 11th century (looks wonderful at night, in particular). More or less opposite the chateau is the church of St Jacques (the "new" one, which is the village church in the present, with a facade from the 12th century, although the body of the church was destroyed and then rebuilt in the 15th century). The village is very proud of its designation as one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" (and rightly so, it's utterly charming). The village web site is: aubeterresurdronne.free.fr/pages_anglais/principale_anglais.htmSo, here it is: The view over the village (the chateau is the large fortification at the top of the bluff, center right): The medieval "laundromat": Aubeterre street: walking around the village: Continuing the walk around the village: View of the village from terrace of restaurant (the spire is St Jacques church): The "new" church (St Jacques): The view over the place (square): So -- this sums up trips over the past 18 months (sorry for going on about it -- even though it's a thousand-plus years old, we kind of feel like we "discovered" it!).
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 13, 2007 0:21:19 GMT -5
You have a lot to be "proud" of, Becky. I love quaint little villages because they're so different from cities, and they ooze with charm.
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Post by iank9 on Jun 13, 2007 2:11:24 GMT -5
Hi Becky,
This area looks great!
The view over the square just about sums up France. In the years to come hopefully we will take the plunge.
Best wishes
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 13, 2007 9:35:05 GMT -5
Oh Becky, it looks GREAT! The village seems so enchanting, too. Is it hard to have patience till the place is completed next year?!! I would find the wait really hard! Thanks for posting the pics.
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Post by frederickwentworth on Aug 14, 2007 3:50:39 GMT -5
How funny! I was born about 3 miles from there, on the other side of the Dronne in Dordogne. FW
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Post by cigalechanta on Nov 6, 2007 20:07:44 GMT -5
We were close by for lunch in September in Angouleme. I don't know your village
Great pictures. My beautiful village in the area is Angles-sur-l'Anglin
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Nov 6, 2007 20:11:11 GMT -5
Hi, Mimi - we are going to be back for a few days in December and would love to know where Angles-sur-l'Anglin is located in case we have a little time to explore it. Which direction would that be from Angouleme?
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