Week-end « bas carbone » à Angoulême

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Le 13 October 2023

Angoulême, recognized as a “creative city” by UNESCO, draws its notoriety from comic strips. For a dive into the heart of the “9th art”, what could be better than a getaway to the heart of the Charentes for a weekend? Thanks to the TGV service, Angoulême is only 1h30 from Paris!

Immersion in the land of bubbles would not be complete without a dive into the world of cognac. Cognac is a world-renowned elixir resulting from a multitude of know-how where flavors, aromas, colors and atmospheres come together.

Getting around: by bike and on foot – Difficulty: easy (level 1/5)

Day 1: arrival in the capital of comics

Arrival by train in the evening – Distance: 4 km by bike to reach the hotel

In Angoulême, immersion is immediate upon arrival at the station. Smurfs are walking on the stairs, Lucien is lying on the roof of the station buffet, a menhir and an obelisk sit on the square. Welcome to the capital of comics !

To start your weekend, rent a bike from a service provider located opposite the station. Then, reach your hotel in just 15 minutes, mainly taking the “ Coulée Verte »And« Flow Vélo »: a cycle route linking Périgord and the Atlantic coast along the Charente. It serves several cities and countries of art and history.

Day 2: Cycling along the “most beautiful stream in the kingdom”

Ride along the Charente on the Flow Vélo towards Fléac – Distance: about 17 km by bike

From the hotel, you follow the Flow Vélo to the Thouerat lock. There, your weekend begins with the Tèrra Aventura bike route, “The little queen of the locks”. This route winds along the Charente, through vineyards and villages. By downloading the application for free, players are guided from riddle to riddle by mischievous characters, the Poïz. At the end of their encounters and adventures, a cache is offered to the participants. It opens thanks to the correct answers collected throughout the course.

After this adventure, you have well deserved a picnic using local products in the town hall park. From Tuesday to Sunday, you can do your shopping at Angouleme market. Otherwise, you can also take a festive lunch break at the “ Fléac Guinguette » on the banks of the Charente. Then, you stop at GAEC des Sazaris, in the heart of the village of Fléac, to discover the methods of making cognac. This family farm offers a complete tour itinerary. They explain the cultivation of the vines, the harvests, the distillation, the aging of the eaux-de-vie, their assembly and even the production of Pineau. Also take the time to discover the small museum offered by the Sarazis. Inside, scenes of rural life of yesteryear rub shoulders with the tools and objects of everyday Charentais life. Then, you can return to your hotel by Flow Vélo.

Day 3: Immersion in Angoulême, capital of comics

Distance: 5 km on foot

After returning the bikes, you begin this last day of the weekend with the Tèrra Aventura route “ Zegraff does his comic trip ". It allows a wonderful discovery of the world of comics, an art that constitutes the city's identity.

For an even more complete experience, visit the Musée de la Bande Dessinée allows an immersion in the history of the “9th art”. Stroll through the numerous temporary exhibitions, beautiful forays into various works and themes.

Finally, to end the weekend with a pictorial immersion, don't miss discovering the Trésor de la Cathédrale. It is a contemporary and colorful masterpiece by Jean-Michel Othoniel.

WE love :

• > The gigantic frescoes that adorn the walls of Angoulême and invite visitors to meet comic book heroes
• > The Musée de la BD, to discover the history of the 9th art and immerse yourself in numerous temporary exhibitions
• > The discovery of cognac know-how, who shaped the hillsides, designed the estates and made the area famous
• > The presence of Charente river, which winds nicely through the city, and has largely contributed to its history (production of paper but also cannons, transport of salt and cognac, etc.)
• > Accommodation committed to sustainable tourism

access:

• Access in TGV from Bordeaux (35 minutes) and Paris (1h30) ;
• TER: Line 16 Angoulême-Cognac-Saintes-Royan
• Access in regional bus (from Cognac, Limoges, Périgueux, etc.)

Accessible by public transport and making the choice of soft mobility (cycling, hiking, etc.), the “Low-carbon stays in New Aquitaine” offer you the opportunity to (re)discover the destinations of the largest region of France, via a selection of original, committed and meaningful experiences.

Guarantors of tourism attentive to its environmental, social and economic impacts, these stays are the promise of exchanges with the inhabitants and meetings with professionals who, through their commitment to responsible tourism and their sense of hospitality, make New Aquitaine a unique territory.