Attractions and Places To See around Dirac - Top 20

Its location, near the city walls and an old city gate, corresponds to that of a primitive sanctuary, predating Christianity, probably a temple dedicated to Jupiter. A first cathedral was built during the 4th century, dedicated to Saint Saturninus. The building disappeared when Clovis captured Angoulême in 508, after he drove out the Visigoths following the victory at Vouillé in 507. Clovis and then King Charibert ordered the cathedral's reconstruction in honor of Saint Peter.[2] This second cathedral was consecrated in 566 by Saint Germain, Bishop of Paris, and Saint Euphronius, Bishop of Tours, and is mentioned in Gregory of Tours' History of the Franks.[Note 1] It was burned down, probably by the Normans. The third cathedral was the work of Grimoard of Mussidan, Bishop of Angoulême (991-1018). He was also Abbot of Brantôme in Périgord and used the abbey's revenues to finance its construction. Begun around 991 and consecrated in 1015, it lasted only a century, its dimensions being too small. Only the north wall remains in the second and third bays of the nave, beneath the windows.

Peaceful and relaxing place

The biblical accounts of the New Testament, which describe the events in the life of Jesus and his disciples, paint a very nuanced picture of the Apostle Peter (Saint-Pierre), to whom the church of Angoulême is dedicated: On the one hand, he is a convinced and determined disciple of Jesus, but also not free from human weakness and fear. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he falls asleep (like the other disciples) when Jesus turns to God the Father after the Last Supper and asks the disciples to pray as well; and after Jesus' arrest, Peter denies three times that he even knows him. But he also weeps over his weakness and, upon encountering the risen Christ, professes his love and loyalty to him. His real name is Simon, but Jesus gives him the name Peter (which means rock), upon which the church is to be built, and he gives him—according to the account of the Evangelist Matthew—the "keys to the kingdom of heaven."

Superb spot to relax on the Charente, before going from one bank to the other. No car, but lots of steps to access the footbridges and locks.

In the heart of the city, this town hall is truly impressive. This public building, the former castle of the Counts of Angoulême, was built in ten years starting in 1858. Paul Abadie Fils, the architect, will preserve two towers, one from the 13th century, the other from the 15th century. The monument presents different architectural styles, witnesses to the history of the city.

This beautiful valley is classified as a Site of European Interest due to its limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation. The southern slopes are dry grassland which favors a warmer climate, while the northern slopes and valley floor are cooler and wetter. As a natural climbing site, it is known all over the world.

This beautiful valley is classified as a Site of European Interest due to its limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation. The southern slopes are dry grassland which favors a warmer climate, while the northern slopes and valley floor are cooler and wetter. As a natural climbing site, it is known all over the world.

A temple dedicated to Jupiter would have been erected on the site of Angoulême cathedral in Gallo-Roman times. In the 4th century, a cathedral dedicated to Saint Peter was built. The Visigoths destroy it. The cathedral was rebuilt in the 6th century. This second building was destroyed in 981 following a fire linked to the Norman raids in the region. A new cathedral was then built by Bishop Grimoard de Mussidan. Nevertheless, the current cathedral is due to the eminent bishop Girard, legate of the Pope. The latter manages the site himself. He chose to cover his cathedral with cupolas as he observed similar ones in Périgueux and Cahors. It also shows originality by covering its facade with sculptures. Work began in 1110. The cathedral was probably almost completed in 1138, when it was consecrated. The cathedral is looted during the Wars of Religion. It served as the Temple of Reason under the Revolution. It underwent a radical restoration by the architect Paul Abadie who added to the facade its gable, its pinnacles and its equestrian statues. He also reconstructed the dome of the crossing and the bell tower.