Angoulême is a commune in south-western France and is capital of the Charente department.
In common with many places in France
Angoulême has an eventful history. It was taken by Clovis from the Visigoths in 507, was invaded by the Normans in the 9th century and given to John of England upon his marriage to Isabella of
Angoulême in the 11th century. The last Duke of
Angoulême was Louis Antoine, who died in 1844, the eldest son of Charles X of France.
Angoulême is the most inland navigable port on the Charente River. Previously fortified,
Angoulême is now surrounded by boulevards that stand above the old ramparts that protected the town. Within the town the streets are narrow and the majority of the old town has been preserved with medieval houses. Some areas are pedestrianised with cobbled streets, lined with attractive shops, restaurants, bars and galleries. The weekly covered market “Les Halles” on the site of the old jail and is central to the life of the town.
Angoulême Cathedral dates to the 11th and 12th centuries and is in the Byzantine-Romanesque style. The Hotel de Ville built in the 19th century incorporates two towers from the Chateau of the Counts d’
Angoulême that was previously located on the site. It now houses a Museum displaying paintings and archaeology. Other museums include the Museum of Fine Arts and a paper Museum. The prosperity of the town was originally from the paper industry, with which the town has been connected since the 14th century. The best known export is Rizla cigarette papers.
Angoulême was occupied by the Germans during the second World War and there is a museum dedicated to the resistance and the deportations of Jewish and political prisoners.
Angoulême is also closely associated with motor trails and car racing, the Circuit Des Remparts is help annually and is the last street-racing course in France, besides
Pau and Monaco.
