I've been stuck inside at home for two days watching the rain come down, and with two more days of it forecast, I have decided to backtrack for this post - to the sunnier skies of June this year, when we were lucky enough to drive through Angles sur L'Anglin on a trip to meet up with Martine from Wishing I were in France, at Susan and Simon's home from Days on the Claise at What a Blogging Party.
This most striking settlement (designated one of the most beautiful villages in France) has been blogged about quite often, but I am hoping that many of my followers may not know the village and will enjoy my photos. Sorry there are so many of them, despite a hefty edit of all those I took!
It is situated in the commune of Vienne in Poitou-Charentes, this area being very unspoilt, with lovely little roads and many medieval buildings. The site offers an unbelievable view across a river valley to the ruins of the old chateau (castle).
The following is an English translation on one of the local signs (reproduced exactly as written!):- The history of Angles sur l'Anglin started 14,000 years ago. On the banks of the river Anglin shaded by Witches Rock, Magdelenian men sculpted bas reliefs representing animal and human forms.
Discovered in 1948 and unique to the world in its vast size, the ensemble is closed to the public. While waiting to discover these wonders on way of an exact replica under construction, it is possible to imagine the rich past of Angles by strolling through the charming alleys and numerous secret passages. The castle more than 40 metres high, was built in the 12th century. Wanted by many, the castle has changed hands several times, even becoming a public quarry during the French Revolution. Today a safe and tranquil visit is possible.
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| A small map of the area |
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| The chateau towers over the village |
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| The small chapel on top of the hill next to the chateau |
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| Looking down from the chateau across the river Anglin to the lower part of the village, set on the opposite bank |
St Martin's Church - Information board
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| St Martin's undergoing some restoration!! |
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| Inside St Martin's |
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| One of the windows of St Martin's Church |
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| La Cueille, one of the streets that lead down the hill from the castle, to the river and the lower parts of the village |
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| Numerous narrow streets lead to interesting places! |
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| One of the walks down to the river; some were very steep but someone has put in stormwater drains at some earlier time - see the grating!! |
Interesting signs outside buildings in the village
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| The villagers all take pride in their homes! |
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| Looking across the river towards the lower part of Angles sur l'Anglin |
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| I could not resist this photo of the 2CV parked by the river! |
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| What I believe to be the chapel of St Croix, across the river from the car |
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| and it has this stunning 13th century portal! |
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| A view from lower Angles sur l'Anglin across the river to the upper part of the village. Note the 2 CV on the other side :-) |
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| A view of the chateau from the bridge with the water mill in the foreground. |
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| Another secret little lane! |
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| and I am very curious to know where this little door leads to! |
For the official website of Angles sur l'Anglin see Here
how gorgeous. thank you for the trip!
ReplyDeletejaz glad that you enjoyed the trip around this gorgeous little village. Have a good day. Diane
DeleteHello Diane:
ReplyDeleteAngles sur l'Anglin looks to be a truly charming village. It is as if time has stood still there and one can believe that the pace of life is many times less hectic than in the larger French towns and cities. It all looks so very peaceful and the riverscape is delightful.
Thank you so much for this wonderful tour on a chilly Sunday afternoon in Budapest!
Jane and Lance I am glad that you enjoyed this tour on what is also a cold and wet day here in the Charente. This village is quite exceptional in its beauty. I gather many people would like to buy here, but there are not many places for sale and when they do come up they are very expensive.
DeleteIt was incredibly peaceful and quiet when we visited and we saw very few people despite it being a warm day.
Have a good week and hope it gets a bit warmer. Diane
I'd never visited...but, thanks to you, now know why it is so well known!
ReplyDeleteThose flower lined steps remind me of Montreuil Bellay.
Fly it is such a beautiful spot and very popular I believe although it was quiet while we were there. Those steps were just so pretty. Hope you have a good week. Take care Diane
DeleteLovely break and great footage!
ReplyDeleteYou must have enjoyed this trip and the charm of this village, according to your photography!
We are also under some rain, but it is too little!
Cheers, Diane!
Noushka this is a village well worth seeing if you should go in that direction. It is quite beautiful. We have had so much rain...... way over 100 mm last month. Take care and cheers, Diane xx
DeleteIt's such a shame we missed each other - by only one day - when you were in our part of France. Another time, perhaps !!
ReplyDeleteWe love Angles and having it on our doorstep makes living in Le Grand-Pressigny just that little bit more special - we can go there any day we like !!
Jean it was sad that you missed the luncheon apart from the fact that we missed you. Plans that we may come your way in spring next year so......
DeleteI agree having Angles on your doorstep is a huge advantage and what a great place to take visitors.
Enjoy your week, Diane
Thanks for sharing your visit to Angles sur l'Anglin. Those villages classified as most beautiful villages of France are always without fail in my experience so far very special villages. Have a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteMichel I agree, the ones that are classified as such have all been special for us as well. Our closest village is Aubeterre-sur-Dronne which is quite spectacular with an under ground church. I visited this before I started blogging but maybe I should dig up some old photos. Take care Diane
DeleteSo many beautiful spots on this post. Love the ruins on top.
ReplyDeleteJM this place is pretty special and well deserves the title of one of the most beautiful places in France. Keep well Diane
DeleteWow! It is definitely beautiful and charming. Thanks for sharing your pictures, Diane, always a better option than the official website's. You do paint France with love and romance, so much so that I want to hop on a plane and set foot in one of these places. Since I can't do that as yet, your pictures are opening up a new world for most of us. Merci'.
ReplyDeleteRosaria this is definitely one of France's most beautiful villages but there are many of them around. I just found this was stunning form the top of the château to the bottom at the river, just gorgeous. I am glad that you enjoyed this tour. Keep well Diane
DeleteThese type of villages makes me want to put France higher on my bucket list. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteGaelyn this place is very special, I would have liked a lot more time there but we will revisit. So glad that you enjoyed our walk about. Hope that you have a good week. Diane
DeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning photographs of Angles. You always seem to find an interesting perspective or angle with your photographs.
We were there, in the rain. this week and as we walked along the river bank the yellow Citroen was in nearly the same spot!
Gaynor thanks for the very kind comments. The Citroen obviously belongs to a resident then :-) I am sure that even the rain can not distract this place from its beauty. Take care Diane
DeleteJust found your blog via GaynorB - and curiously had just posted on my own blog, some memories of Angles sur l'Anglin which I always loved very much. Great to see some lovely photos. My favourite time to visit was early in the year, when the iris were out. Gorgeous! Axxx
ReplyDeleteAnnie I am glad that you have found me as it now means I have got read your blog as well. Glad that you enjoyed the trip around Angles and I hope that it brought you some good memories. Thanks for taking the time to comment and visit. Take care Diane
DeleteBeautiful village. I love the photo of the stairs with the flowers on every step. How enchanting. I like your new header too. Is it a scene from your village?
ReplyDeleteJoyful it is a lovely village, quite beautiful in every respect. The picture on my header is of the Charente River taken at Jarnac about an hours drive from us. The river though is very long and I have taken similar photos much closer to home. Have a good week. Diane
DeleteI'm sorry for your grey and rainy weather but love that you gave us a tour of this beautiful little village. Hope the sun comes out for you soon.
ReplyDeletebackroadjournal there is a bit of blue sky around this morning but it is anyone's guess as to how long it may last!! Glad that you enjoyed the tour. Take care Diane
DeleteBeautiful images!
ReplyDeleteLove the 2CV. We called it "Student Jaguar" in the old days!:)
Nice narrow roads too!
Gunn I like that "Student Jaguar" they are such great little cars. Glad you enjoyed my photos. Have a good week Diane
DeleteWhat a beautiful place that is and you have some stunning pictures of it.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like it was a stunning chateau with stunning views. I love all of those cobbled streets and flower pots up the steps to the house. Very lovely - thank you for sharing your days out with us :))
Ellie this village is quite special and one of the most beautiful, the setting is perfect. I hope you enjoyed your stroll around it as much as we did. All the best for a good week. Diane
DeleteI wish we could have some of your rain. This is a delightful post. The old old village is just gorgeous. It is like the buildings have been there forever. They are so picturesque and you have captured them well. I bet you had fun with your blog friends again.
ReplyDeleteDiane b I wish we could send you some of our rain we really have had enough for the time being!! This is one of the best villages that I have seen in France, though that are many classed as beautiful that I have yet to see. Keep well. Diane
Deletea place full of history! I like it!
ReplyDeleteBlog about life and travelling
Blog about cooking
Ola you are so right this really is a place of history. Take care and have a good week. Diane
DeleteWhat a delightful read! Beautiful photos too. Thanks very much for this p'tit tour.....
ReplyDeleteFripouille glad that you enjoyed this small tour, I would loved to have had more time there but.... Enjoy your week. Diane
DeleteWhat an incredibly pretty village, it well deserves its place among the Plus Beaux, and your photos are super.
ReplyDeleteI find it amazing that these old Frenchies had such an eye for beauty, form and elegance.
Sarah this is an exceptionally beautiful place. You are right the French certainly had a good eye of where to build these sort of places. Take care Diane
DeleteHello Diane,
ReplyDeleteVery nice shots!!
You show a wonderful view over the beautiful places in this village. Funny to see that shot of the stairs with so much flowers on each step.
The shot of the car (citroen) is very nice. In Holland they cold this car "a duck",..hihi..!!
Many greetings,
Marco
Marco Alpha thanks for the comment and I love the Citroen 'duck' ha ha. Have a good week Diane
DeleteYour photos are wonderful and despite the fact that it's raining where you are, you're making the sun shine in our lives looking at this lovely spot on God's beautiful planter - thanks! Hope the sun comes out soon for you!
ReplyDeleteThe Café Sucré Farine and it is still raining here..... So glad that you enjoyed this post of a beautiful village. Take care Diane
DeleteWhat a beautiful village. I love how quaint it is with the gorgeous surroundings. And the narrow streets are intriguing. Hope your rain ends soon, we need it. Thanks for the tour. It's a remarkable area!
ReplyDeletePam this is one very special village with so much to see and enjoy. So glad you enjoyed the tour. Keep well Diane
DeleteIt is so picturesque and a city I will never get to see in person so I'm very glad you posted your photos. I love the walkways with all of the old natural stone and vines growing up the walls. I would want to be outdoors...walking and walking! I can just imagine what joy it is during the summer months!
ReplyDeleteLavender Dreamer, never say never, sometime these things do happen :-) I hope that we get back there one day to see it on a warm summer day and get the chance to see the things we missed on this trip. Enjoy your week Diane
DeleteUne très belle ballade. Merci!
ReplyDeleteSee soon
Merci Nadji pour vos commentaires. Bonne journée. Diane
DeleteHi Diane, thank you for the tour. It's a lovely place to visit, very beautiful. I like the staircase decorated with beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy looking at all your excellent click, 2 thumbs up for you. :)
Have a nice week ahead,regards. Take care.
Amelia glad that you enjoyed this tour it is a beautiful place to visit. The steps were so pretty. You have a god week also. Take care Diane
DeleteBeautiful and excellent photos Diane! I love the flower pot lined stairway - so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, happy you enjoyed this post. The flower pot steps were very pretty. Enjoy your week. Diane
DeleteI hope those rains have ended, though I must say I love the photos you retrieved to share with us. You must really have enjoyed that visit. It is hard to beat those spots where history and physical beauty come together. I hope all is well in your world. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteMary we have had a couple of dry days but the rain is due back tomorrow! Pleased that you enjoyed these photos and the beauty of the place. Take care Diane
DeleteThanks for a delightful virtual tour Diane, I love the 2CV!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted a 2CV, but we had a lot of old cars when we were in S.A. and we discovered that restoration is expensive! Take care Diane
DeleteThat looks to be a delightful place. If I ever get back that way I'll definitely take a detour and make a visit.
ReplyDeletePhil this is a place certainly worth visiting if you come to France but then there are so many places worth seeing here :-) Keep well Diane
Deletegreat interesting trip
ReplyDeletethese little french towns really do have something going for them and your pictures make it visible and almost tastable !
I love 2 chevaux
am sure the rain have stopped now
This is Belguim there are so many beautiful places here and so many I still would like to visit...... time factor and money to travel though all come into it!! The rain has stopped but is due back tomorrow. We are having a small lunch time party for Nigel's birthday tomorrow so I expect a few wet visitors!! Keep well Diane
DeleteWhat beautiful photo's of a beautiful place. Thank you for the tour, I once had a 2 CV. Great car.
ReplyDeleteRiet everyone who has owned a 2CV seems to have loved it, very similar to people who have owned a British Morris Minor. I had one of the latter and loved it to bits. Have a good day Diane
Deletethe place looks so peaceful. I know it's difficult for me to come to these place even if i visit france, thanks a lot for taking us hru this little town. also seems that you've done a bit of walking around the town..btw, have you totally recovered from your mouth and ear problem ?
ReplyDeleteLena glad you enjoyed this tour. Thanks for asking, yes the shingles appears to have gone so mouth and ear are OK again, now if only I could get rid of the cough that has been bugging me for the last few years! I am told that it is damaged bronchi after 2 lots of pneumonia, so I may be stuck with it for a long time to come yet!! Hope all well with you Diane
DeleteWhat a cute little village! I especially appreciate the flowerpots lining the stone staircase; the flowers are so bright and cheerful. I wonder how I'd fare wandering about those narrow streets, though, since I'm quite claustrophobic. I suppose I'd try it, just because the scenery is so lovely and the history so evident!
ReplyDeleteHope you survived the rainy week, and are feeling better!
Marjie I don't think you would have a problem walking around. I also hate being closed in but with the sky above, I did not even notice that the streets were narrow. There is so much history here it is amazing. We had a dry day yesterday but the rain is back again today!! The shingles has gone so that is good, just the cough lingers on! Keep well Diane
Deletewonderful surroundings! and cute car..
ReplyDeleteThanks Mihaela for the comment, and yes the care is very cute :-) Keep well Diane
DeleteHi Diane .. love these photos and the tour you take us on. Fascinating to see - and oh how I'd love to visit. There looks to be masses of history here .. I'm reading Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir and it's fascinating ...
ReplyDeleteI hadn't realised so many people suffer from shingles - my mother had it .. caused by a knock (she inadvertently hit her head on some scaffolding), when she was under stress - and I'd thought it was usually caused by a 'shock' .. or similar. They've now introduced (or will be) having a jab for people in the 70 - 80 age bracket against shingles ... I guess if you Google it .. more will come up - it must have been Radio 4 this week sometime ...
Cheers Hilary
Hilary, glad that you enjoyed these photos, it is a stunning village and certainly worth seeing if ever you are this way.
DeleteWhen I was in S,A one of our Vets had shingles really badly and he was only 30, so it is not just the elderly!! The vaccination is readily available in America so far as I know, but I am not so sure about here yet. I did intend asking, but there was so much to talk about on my last visit to the Dr that I forgot!!
Keep well Diane
Lovely walk...
ReplyDeletePierre
Pierre thanks for stopping by and passing a comment. Much appreciated. Diane
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