The best cycling routes around Graves-Saint-Amant

Château Saint-Martial de Jarnac is an elegant neo-Renaissance-style residence, built between 1882 and 1884 for Maurice Laporte-Bisquit, a cognac merchant and mayor of Jarnac. Its main façade is organized around two polygonal towers and a central H-shaped plan; the facades are decorated with ceramic panels, a tribute to the founding family. The château boasts a majestic stone staircase with a wrought iron railing, large reception rooms adorned with woodwork and gilded stucco, and a landscaped park. The building served as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the First World War and later became a home for art collections. Listed as a historic monument in 2014, the château now houses guest rooms and remains a testament to the prestige of cognac houses during the Belle Époque.

Feet in the river to cool down

There are e-bike chargers here

You can even rent canoes there to discover the Charente river in a different way.

A beautiful place, known for its climbing site. But there are more possibilities: the heights accessible by small slopes offer beautiful views.

Not yet fully developed on Komoot, so we only recorded part of the route, but the reality of our vacation is that we did the bike flow, from Angoulème to Ile Madame with our 11-year-old grandson at the rate of 50 km/day and that I can only recommend! Very nice hike, varied landscapes, pretty little villages, hotel campsites and frequent refreshments, a well-maintained path overall, everything to please!

Excellent cozy spot on the banks of the Charente, ideal for taking a break and having a meal with good homemade products made from local produce. There are also tools available to repair bicycles. Very pleasant welcome and service.

Abbey of Saint-Étienne de Bassac, (Sancti Stephani de Bassaco vel Bassacensis, Bassacum): Monks of the order of Saint-Benoît, united in 1666 to the Congregation of Saint-Maur. It was founded at the beginning of the 11th century by one of the Princes of Angoulême, called Guadardus de Lorichis, in honor of St-Etienne, the first martyr, according to what is reported in the acts of the life of Grimourd (bishop of 'Angoulême), but in the history of Angoulême it is said that it was founded by Wardrard de Jarnac, and his wife Rixende. Be that as it may, the church and the regular places having been destroyed by the heretics, the Benedictines of the congregation of St Maur who were introduced there, restored everything, and had a beautiful church built. The Abbot has the collation of a few simple priories, and the appointment to a few parishes. • Foundation in the 11th century. Church rebuilt from 1247 to 1286. • Defensive works at the end of the 14th century. • Abbey burnt down by the Anglo-Saxons in 1434. • Reconstruction in the second half of the 15th century. • Abbey plundered by the Protestants between 1564 and 1569. • Maurist reform introduced in 1666 after the abbey had been abandoned for nearly a century: rehabilitation and restoration until 1746 (conventual building, guest room, etc.). • Abbey sold as national property during the Revolution. • Destruction of the Gothic cloister in 1820. • Major restoration work on the church and abbey buildings during the 19th and 20th centuries. Many times transformed over the course of congregations and historical events, it mixes Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Classical styles. Listed as a Historic Monument, the Saint-Étienne de Bassac abbey today unveils a rectangular abbey church consisting of 4 bays and a flat chevet. Gothic in style, it has however retained the bases of the original walls and has domed rib vaults. Romanesque, the bell tower is not lacking in charm, just like the apse and the 13th century chapel pierced by a bay and covered with a ribbed vault. The 17th century convent buildings are also still visible. Like several other religious sites around the world, the abbey of Saint-Étienne de Bassac had a “Gate of Mercy” in 2015-2016; door which, on the margins of the Holy Doors open every 25 years or according to the exceptions fixed by the pope during the course of the holy years or Jubilees, was established at the abbey of Saint-Étienne de Bassac following the desire of Pope Francis to see the Jubilee of Mercy spread all over the world. In short, this Door, like all the other doors of Mercy, supports the Holy Doors in their roles in the Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 In addition, the Saint-Étienne abbey now hosts retreats, and also has an approval to receive green classes. Opening hours: Monday: 09:00 – 18:30 • Tuesday: 09:00 – 18:30 • Wednesday: 09:00 – 18:30 • Thursday: 09:00 – 18:30 • Friday: 09:00 – 6:30 p.m. • Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. • Sunday: 9:00 a.m. -6:30 p.m.