A guide to Angoulême en Charente, Poitou Charentes, France

Geography and Transport Links

Angoulême is the capital of Charente, and is located to the south and east of that department (at an altitude of 27 to 130 m), near the borders with Haute Vienne (Limousin) and Dordogne (Aquitaine). The RN10 (Poitiers-Bordeaux) passes through the west of the city, and the RN141 runs along the West-East axis carrying traffic between Cognac and Limoges. Angoulême has an airport to the north, with direct flights to the UK 3 times a week. The city is also on the main TGV line, with a possible connection to Paris in 2h20min. Angoulême has an area of ​​21.85 km2, and the Charente River runs through its center, this being the river’s most inland navigable port.

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The climate here is Maritime, and therefore temperate with clearly defined seasons. Average summer temperatures range between 24C and 27C (13C-15C at night), and in winter they drop between 9C and 10C (3C at night). As with much of Poitou Charentes, autumn can be warm, with temperatures averaging 23ºC in September and 19ºC in October. October and November are usually the rainiest months. Angoulême is part of an area that receives more than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year.

Tourism

Founded at the end of the 10th century, the city is surrounded by the walls [boulevards] above the old city walls, with the north offering the best view of the Charente valley below. The city has significant architecture such as the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, which is a Romanesque-Byzantine structure from the 11th and 12th centuries, and the 19th-century Hotel de Ville. There is a covered market in Les Halles on the site of a former jail that was restored in 2004. Nearby is the Chateau La Rochefoucauld [20km]considered one of the most magnificent in France.

Every year in January, the city hosts the Festival Internacional de la Bande Dessinée (comic strip), which attracts more than 250,000 visitors. You can also visit the “Cité International de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image”, a comic book museum, open from Tuesday to Sunday. July sees the Garden NEF Party Festival, where around 17,000 people gather at the Ferme des Valettes near the city center to see the best rock music bands. September sees the annual classic car rally at the Circuit des Remparts, a 1.3km street racing circuit. In November, the city hosts Ludoland, a multimedia festival dedicated to toys and games (4-day event). Also in November is Gastronomades (now in its 12th year), an international festival of flavours, hosted at 7 venues around the city center. The event includes competitions, tournaments, debates and exhibitions and attracts around 100,000 visitors.

Economy

Since the 14th century, Angoulême has been connected with the printing and papermaking industry, the most famous export being RIZLA+ tobacco rolling papers. Currently, the most important companies in Angoulême are Leroy-Somer (3 branches manufacturing alternators and pumps) and Sajon (Intermarche Supermarkets). Angoulême is part of the Angoulême Economic Zone, which has an unemployment rate of 9.7%, compared to the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).

Mod cons

As you would expect from a city of this size, all services are available. There are more than 50 restaurants offering all types of cuisine, including seafood, Indian, Vietnamese, Italian, Japanese, and Mexican. The nearest swimming pool is in St Yriex sur Charente (3.5 km away). Angouleme CFC plays its football in the Ligue Center Ouest Honor Division, and the SC Angouleme rugby team plays in the French Championship – Federale 3. Activities available include table tennis, gymnastics, athletics, canoeing, badminton, billiards , martial arts and skydiving. .

Education

There is a choice of 32 state nursery/primary schools, 6 state secondary schools (university) and 1 state university (lyceum). In addition there is 1 private Nursery to College option, through the Saint Paul Catholic Institution and 1 private Primary to College option, Sainte Marthe Chavagnes, plus 1 other Catholic primary school. There are a number of options at Lycee level, with several professional colleges available. A European School of Visual Arts here offers a Master of Comics.

key stats

Population: 43,171 (INSEE 1999)
ZIP Code: 16000
Rail link: Yes (TGV)
Nearest airport: Angoulême, Brie Champniers – (12 km/8 mi – 18 min)
Closest channel port: Caen (484 km/301 mi – 4 hrs 42 mins)
Nearest seaside beach: St Georges de Didonne (106 km/66 mi – 1 hr 46 min)
Commerce: Many shops, bars, restaurants and facilities.
Economy: Paper, Manufacturing, Trade
To visit: Saint Pierre Cathedral, Chocolatier Letuffe (Trois Palis)
Events: Comics (January)
Garden NEF Party (Rock Festival) (July)
Circuit of the Walls (Sept)
Ludolandia (November)
Gastronomads (Culinary Festival) (Nov)