Maison des Ribieres Chambres d'hotes

A warm welcome awaits our guests at Maison des Ribieres. Our Bed and Breakfast is a renovated "maison bourgeoise" dating from the 17th century. Step inside the front door and you will appreciate the natural beauty of antique charentaise furniture and decoration. We have installed modern bathrooms and comfort, whilst carefully preserving all the character and originality of our home. We offer "Table D'hotes" Menus in the evenings, ranging from simple french cuisine to an all taste-bud popping gastronomique extravaganza - depending on your diet and purse. Our Bed and Breakfast is situated in the countryside (not far from the D951 which passes from Bellac to Angouleme) and houses its own little animal farm, producing rabbits, hens, ducks and goats to exhibition standards. We will be more than pleased to introduce you to our champion rabbits and hens. You are welcome to watch at milking time, taste, if you are brave enough! A Buffet breakfast is included in the price of your room.

On leaving the D951 take the D729, direction Confolens, and you will pass by the pretty historic village of Saint Germain de Confolens, boasting a fabulous ruined castle set on a hill, commanding magnificient views over the river vienne and surrounding villages of St Germain de Confolens and Saint Radegonde with the old roman bridge connecting the two. The visit to the Castle is free. Continuing on this road brings you directly to Maison des Ribiers, Chambres D'hote, just before entering the town itself. Confolens is a medieval town, sitting on the junction of two rivers - the vienne and Goire - hence its name. Confolens offers a wealth of riverside bars, restaurants and shops, an indoor market, banks, post office and cinema. There are tennis courts, canoe club, an extensive outdoor swimming-pool complex, horse-riding stables, and the all famous Velo Rail. The Velo Rail is a form of 4 to 6 person bicycle which you pedal. It runs on the old Confolens/Chabanais disused railway track. The track is very rural and scenic, opening the visitors eyes to the calm tranquil often unseen aspects of french charentaise countryside and life.http: www.velorail16.com A little further afield is a mini-golf course and fishing lake of Ansac-sur-Vienne.http://confolentais.blogs.charentelibre.com/archive/2010/05/26/ansac-sur-vienne.html A 15 minute drive takes you to the charente's biggest kept secret.... Cassinomagus! Now known to be probably the biggest roman bath complex in Europe, and only discovered in the 19th century. Cassinomagus consisted of some 50 bathing pools, saunas etc. Much of the underground heating systems and furnaces rest in place, carefully hidden and preserved over the years by layers of soil and silt. A very interesting and educational visit.http://www.cassinomagus.fr/ Twenty mintutes by car brings you to the circuit du Val de Vienne at Le Vigeant. Racing car, vintage car and motorcycle racing on a circuit. Possibility for lessons by professional racing drivers on reservation only. Please use this link for more information: http://www.circuit-valdevienne.fr/ www.circuit-valdevienne.fr Twenty-five minutes qway south brings you to the lovely lakes of the Haute Charente. A system of inter-connecting lakes offering a selection of water sports and beaches for bathing. Park Aventura (an adventure park) borders the lakes at the nearby town of Masignac. http://www.aventure-parc.fr/lachautecharente/parc-saut-a-elastique@vienne.htm Twenty minutes north east from us brings you to the memorable town of Oradour-sur-Glane. A tragic story of a complete town destroyed and burnt to the ground on 10th June 1944, during WWII. Family members returned home the evening of the 10th to find the burnt remnants of their homes. The houses, cars, sewing machines and furniture have all been left in place as a memory. http://www.oradour.info/ Continue on the D951 to Angouleme, charente's capital, home of the BD Museum (bande desinée - comic strips). http://www.bdangouleme.com/ Angouleme is built on a raised rock plateau offering panoramic views for miles. http://www.angouleme-tourisme.com/It is famous for its "circuit des remparts" vintage racing car, motorbike and formula 1 races which take place in September each year in and around Angouleme's city centre and ramparts.http://www.circuit-des-remparts.com/ Angouleme boasts some of the most chic boutiques, bars and shops, a paper museum, the BD museum an archaeological museum and a resistance museum. River boat excursions take you to Cognac, the home of the finest brandy in the world. Taking the N141, Cognac is about 30 minutes by car from Angouleme. On your lleft you will pass by the little village of Trois-Palis, home of the famous chocolaterie Letuffe. Stop off and visit the factory, watch how the mix and fabricate their chocolate - enjoy the free tasting. Childrens workshops available on prior reservation by telephone. (0033) (0)545 910521 On the road to Cognac you will pass by the