Angoulême is the closest big town to La Maison Bois, at less than 30 minutes drive away, it is well worth a visit. Angoulême is the capital of the Charente department and of the comic strip or bande dessinée!  There plenty to see and do in the city and some lovely restaurants to try.  A trip to the top of the city to take in the views across the river Charente is worth the small hike! If you are lucky enough to be there during January for the comic strip festival or September for the Le Circuit des Remparts a visit is an absolute must!

Circuit des Remparts d’Angoulême – Every September Angoulême’s roads become a race track filled vintage cars.  People come from all over France and beyond to race in this wonderful event that first took place in 1939. There is a big parade on the Friday with all the contestants the ‘Concours d’Elegance’,  giving people the chance to admire these classic cars. On the Saturday anyone with a pre-1975 car can take part in the Tourist Rally through the local countryside and then the big race takes part on Sunday.

Le musée de la bande dessinée in Angouleme.  The museum has a complete history of French and American comics, a unique collection in Europe.  There is more than 400 pieces of original artwork, old editions, toys and movies. The displays are all in French, but is still worth a visit for anyone with even the slightest interest in graphic novels or even art. You can however download an audio guide in English. There is also a festival held every year in Angouleme, celebrating the graphic novel/comic book

(Header image Angouleme  ©Jean-Luc Peluchon)