The best traffic-free bike rides around La Couronne

Nice outing

The building, constructed in the 12th century, was enlarged in the 15th century by the north and south aisles dedicated to the Virgin and Saint John the Baptist. It was restored in 1875-1876. It has a basilica plan with a single nave, on which is grafted to the east a false square surmounted by a dome on pendentives and which ends in a vaulted apse. Side chapels with flat chevet were added, to the north and south, in the 15th century. The facade is pierced by a door with a triple projection and an open window. The building was fortified at the time of the Hundred Years' War. The whole is surmounted, to the east, at the level of the dome, by a square bell tower on two levels. The base is decorated with three blind arcades; The upper floor is decorated, on each side, with three semicircular arches mounted on small columns, highlighted by a circular stringcourse and enclosing twin bay windows. https://www.dignac.fr/histoire-et-patrimoine/ https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00104355/dignac-eglise-saint-cybard

The Tower is difficult to visualize; you must stay in the castle, which offers guest rooms, to access it.

The Abbey of Notre-Dame de La Couronne is an exceptional monumental complex, composed of the remains of the old abbey church and the convent buildings. A major building representing the introduction of Gothic in Angoumois at the end of the 12th century. In the 12th century, the Abbey of Notre-Dame de la Couronne was founded (from 1118, laying of the first stone). The work was carried out quickly and on March 12, 1122, the monks (of the regular order of Saint Augustine) settled in the presence of Bishop Girard de Blay and the Count of Angoulême. From its creation, the abbey was a great success: a new church was built at the end of the 12th century (choir and nave: 1171-1194; the end of the work was slowed down by wars, famines, etc.): it was dedicated in 1201, in the presence of the Archbishop of Bordeaux. The convent buildings were also renewed at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century: cloisters, dormitory, refectory, infirmary, etc. A surrounding wall surrounded the abbey. During the 13th century, the furnishings were enriched, the Saint-Nicolas chapel was built and the bell tower was built. During the Hundred Years' War, the monks were dispersed and the bell tower collapsed (1450). At the end of the 15th century, the abbey was reborn: part of the collapsed church was rebuilt, a new abbey building was built (the work was completed after 1514). The Wars of Religion affected the abbey again: it was pillaged in 1562, part of its furniture was burned. The convent buildings were restored in 1571. At the beginning of the 17th century, the abbey, which now had only eight monks, was united with the Jesuit order; it was then placed under the obedience of the congregation of Sainte-Geneviève in 1644. In the 18th century, a final campaign of works (1750-1778) transformed the convent buildings. During the Revolution, the abbey became national property. It was sold in 1807, used as a quarry and was gradually dismantled and divided into several properties. This religious establishment is now in ruins and inaccessible to the public. But it is possible to imagine it thanks to a virtual reality tour with the Legendr application. Municipal website: https://www.lacouronne.fr/abbaye-notre-dame 3D reconstruction: https://www.rendr.fr/portfolio/reconstitution-3d-abbaye-notre-dame-la-couronne Heritage of Charente: https://patrimoine16.lacharente.fr/sites-du-departement/la-couronne/

A former stronghold during the Hundred Years' War, the building is said to have served as a landmark for the English, nicknamed the Red Devils, which is said to have given it its name. The building is currently privately owned. https://www.chateau-fort-manoir-chateau.eu/chateaux-charente-chateau-a-puymoyen-chateau-du-diable.html https://www.francebleu.fr/emissions/histoires-et-patrimoine-dans-les-2-charentes/les-charentes-mysterieuses-le-chateau-du-diable-a-puymoyen-16-1426390

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The tower was built in the 15th century. The keep is a strong square tower that may date from the end of the 14th or the beginning of the 15th century. The defensive walls are made of cut stone. The machicolations are intact. Only the walkway is damaged to the east. Inside, the rooms and the original staircase no longer exist. The small chapel has remains of frescoes from the beginning of the 15th century or perhaps from the 14th (knight; Saint Michael; Saint Christopher; king; horsewoman...). The remains of the tower buildings were remodeled in the 19th century.

Major building representing the introduction of Gothic in Angoumois at the end of the 12th century. In the 12th century, foundation of the Notre-Dame de la Couronne abbey (from 1118, laying of the first stone). Work was carried out quickly and on March 12, 1122, the monks (of the regular order of Saint Augustine) settled in the presence of Bishop Girard de Blay and the Count of Angoulême. From its creation, the abbey enjoyed great success: a new church was built at the end of the 12th century (choir and nave: 1171-1194; the end of the construction site was slowed down by wars, famines, etc.): it was dedicated in 1201, in the presence of the Archbishop of Bordeaux. The convent buildings were also renewed at the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century: cloisters, dormitory, refectory, infirmary,... A surrounding wall surrounds the abbey. During the 13th century, enrichment of the furniture, construction of the Saint-Nicolas chapel and erection of the bell tower. During the Hundred Years War, the monks are dispersed, the bell tower collapses (1450). At the end of the 15th century, the abbey was reborn: part of the collapsed church was reassembled, a new abbey dwelling was built (the work was completed after 1514). The Wars of Religion affected the abbey again: it was looted in 1562, part of its furniture was burned. The convent buildings were restored in 1571. At the beginning of the 17th century, the abbey, which had only eight monks left, was united with the Jesuit order; it was then placed under the obedience of the congregation of Sainte-Geneviève in 1644. In the 18th century, a final campaign of work (1750-1778) transformed the convent buildings. During the Revolution, the abbey became national property. It was sold in 1807, used as a quarry and was gradually dismantled and divided into several properties.