The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Bois Des Chaillats

15th century stone bridge known as that of the Château de la Rochefoucauld. From the building, there is a superb view of the imposing castle and the waters of the Tardoire. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1935. The castle, renowned for being one of the most beautiful and oldest in Charente, can be visited all year round. It is the only castle in France that has been inhabited by the same family for more than 1,000 years. Do not miss !

In the heart of Charente, the Château de la Rochefoucauld stands like a page of history mixed with an enchanted tale. Built around the 16th century on the site of an 11th century fortress, this gem has been cherished by the same family since its earliest days. And that’s something! Strolling through its rooms or admiring the landscape from its towers, you feel the weight of history. It's as if the castle whispers to us both history lessons and stories of adventure.

Very pleasant and shaded walk

Inside is a statue of Saint Anthony: The statue opposite represents Saint Anthony, a monk of the Carmelite monastery of La Rochefoucauld, who lived at the beginning of the 14th century. Saint Anthony is represented as a bearded old man dressed in a hooded homespun robe. He has a bell and a missal in his right hand. He puts his left hand on his chest. He is barefoot and in sandals. The features are severe, the tormented face. The statue dates from the 17th century (the base is later). Its author is unknown. It was carved directly from a piece of walnut wood with polychromy only on the front, but it had to be painted on the back as well. It has been classified as a Historic Monument since July 1, 2003. A restoration by Mrs. Bénédicte Leblanc was carried out in 2005. A local popular devotion to this statue developed: it was attributed the power to heal children. Cloths were placed at the feet of the saint; candles were also burned very close to the statue, even on the arm. This statue was presented at the Musée des beaux-arts d'Angoulême, from October 1999 to January 2000 during the exhibition "Treasures of Charente" and at the foyer des Carmes in La Rochefoucauld, in April-May 2019 for the exhibition "Treasures" of our churches in the Community of Communes La Rochefoucauld-Porte du Périgord. Note that the large stained glass window of the apse of the church of Souffrignac has for illustration this Saint Antoine, Carmelite of La Rochefoucauld. Saint Anthony traveled through the countryside, announcing his passage with a bell. One day when he was going to the church of Peyroux (municipality of Orgedeuil), passing by the chapel of Landes, a mother joined him between the summit of La Faurie and Les Bourdichoux. The woman begged him to ask God for the healing of her sick child. Father Antoine pressed one of the child's diapers over his heart, prayed, and the child recovered. This “miracle” was repeated later. In testimony of their gratitude to the good monk, the inhabitants of Saint-Sornin, in the 16th century, would have taken advantage of the passage of a sculptor to have the statue of the Saint executed, carved, it is said, in the most beautiful walnut of the plain of Chadries. .

This former Augustinian priory-cure belonged to the priory of Notre-Dame des Salles-Lavauguyon, of the diocese of Limoges. It remained a convent until around 1560. The church was restored in 1862, as indicated by the engraved lintel on the south face of the bell tower. Built in local materials of Bajocian limestone and tertiary elements, this church consists of a single nave of three bays, followed by a narrow rectangular choir opening onto two modern side chapels. Inside, the nave is coated and currently covered with a lowered barrel vault from the 19th century. A possible apse, of modest size, could complete the building to the east. It was replaced by a large arcade built in the 19th century, closed by a wall in its lower part and a modern stained glass window in its upper part. From the choir, a 17th century door provides access to the south chapel, serving as a sacristy, while opposite an arcade pierced in the north wall allows communication with the north chapel. Outside, you reach the bell tower by means of a stone staircase then a metal miller's ladder leading to a high door, datable to the 17th century. From the top of this door, the rest of the bell tower has been redone and pierced with four modern arched bays. The facade is a complete reconstruction of the 19th century. The Virgin with the Rosary. Look for this painting on the wall to the right. It is very dark and well damaged; but, as it is, it attracts restoration in memory of its possible origins: either the Venetian school or the work of Murillo's workshop. The story says that in the middle of the 17th century, the ambassador of the King of Spain returning to his country fell ill in the area and was treated at the presbytery. As a thank you for the good care received, returned to his country, he asked Murillo, a great Spanish painter, for a replica of his painting The Virgin with the Rosary, exhibited today at the Goya Museum in Castres, and gave it as a gift to Saint-Sornin. . THE CHURCH St Saturnin's church was originally a priory depending on Notre-Dame of Salles-Lavauguyon, in Limoges diocese. If kept its conventual status until around 1560. Erected in fhe 11th century, It was restored in the 19” century. Two chapels were added to each side in the 17th century. They communicate with the rectangular choir through iwo archways. On the right wall, there hangs a dark painting in very bad repair. It is supposed to be a copy of Murillo's famous Virgin of the Rosary.

This magical 16th century Renaissance castle is built on an 11th century fortress whose towers have been preserved. The castle and its gardens have been classified as a historical monument since 1955. Definitely worth the short detour!

This feudal castle, built in the 15th and 16th centuries, has passed from family to family over the centuries. It is said that he had such an impressive orangery that it was sold in 1893 to the city of Bordeaux.

Appearing in 1019 with Foucauld, lord of La Roche, the La Rochefoucauld family has long been considered a branch of the Lusignan, due to the similarity of their arms. It seems, in reality, that Foucauld was a close relative of the Viscount of Limoges, descendant of a Grand of the court of Charlemagne. Only four other families in France (including that of the Capetians) can claim such seniority. The history of the castle is inseparable from the history of the La Rochefoucauld family which, itself, is part of the political life of its time, century after century. The castle of La Rochefoucauld provides a remarkable illustration of the interweaving of politics and architecture through the life of a family which has continuously owned the castle since Fucaldus laid the first fortification around 980. With the history of the La Rochefoucauld family, the use of architecture for social and political purposes finds one of its most spectacular manifestations. This earned it the justified title of “pearl of Angoumois”. The castle is an anthology of seven centuries of architecture and the home of the La Rochefoucauld family, still present for over a thousand years. To see: the monumental Renaissance staircase (108 steps!), the boudoir of Marguerite de Valois, the kitchens dug into the karst, the state rooms, guards, the 18th century libraries, the main courtyard and its galleries from the 16th.