The French love their markets; all the major towns hold markets and local to us is Riberac’s  fantastic Friday morning market with stalls that spread through most of the town. Alternatively, try a night market in Aubeterre. Market day in Saint-Aulaye is on Saturday mornings. It’s full of vibrant colours and deliciously tasty local fruit and vegetables.

Maison Mûrier is the perfect base to explore the region. Beautiful roads to cycle, with stunning views and plenty of routes . The Tour de France rode through the region in 2017.

No need to bring your own cycles as they are readily available for hire locally. They’ll even deliver them to the house for you so you can set off and explore.

From street buskers to classical concerts, Aubeterre offers a variety of entertainment throughout the year.

In the south of the Charente department, Aubeterre sur Dronne was built in a natural amphitheatre created by the chalk cliffs which rise from the banks of the River Dronne. Its charming streets, with their winding passageways and hidden nooks and crannies, and its characteristic houses of white chalkstone with wooden balconies, have allowed it to take its natural place as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It was known long ago as “Alba Terra”, and its situation in a protected area of natural beauty ensures that its economic life is based on ecotourism. Today the village centre, long the working quarter of the village, is still at the heart of Aubeterre life, full of shops and Aubeterre Square the workshops of skilled artisans; potters, woodworkers, a dressmaker, a leather worker, and painters, galleries and studios. The Place Trarieux, named after the village’s most famous son, Ludovic Trarieux, founder of the French League of Human Rights, is where locals and visitors alike meet for a chat and a coffee. The population of the village numbers 430 but during the long lazy summer months its ranks swell with holiday makers from around the globe, making it a truly international experience, in an authentic French setting.

Positioned perfectly between the wine regions of Bordeaux and Bergerac, and the Pineau growing vinyards of the Charente and Dordogne, you are spoilt for choice on wine tasting. A visit to sip the spirits of Cognac is also a must! In Saint Aulaye there is a museum of cognac and wine in the village – the Musee du Cognac et du Vin.

Book one of our Furniture Chalk Painting group events! A great opportunity to visit one of the many local brocantes during your visit, and then learn how to up-cycle your new piece of furniture to take home with you. This booking includes the cost of the Masterclass painting expert on site, a brocante visit, with a visit to the local up-cycling café!

It is a French tradition to create artificial beaches by rivers and lakes, both natural and man-made. The nearest one can be found on the approach to Aubeterre-Sur-Dronne, on the drive from Palisse, with kayaking facilities. A few kilometres further you can find another river beach in Saint Aulaye. Le Grand Etang de La Jemaye is another beach, just 15 minutes away. This again is a beautiful place to idle away the day. Lake Jemaye is a natural lake set on the edge of the forest that has been sculpted at one end to provide swimming facilities and a beach. There are two snack bars as well as a restaurant and camping facilities. All that said, 90% of the lake and its environs are still wild providing some wonderful walks and great views of nature. In the summer you will see house martins diving to the lake to collect bugs, and building their nests, A magical sight.

The River Dronne is 5 minutes away, and very popular for kayak hire. The beautiful beaches along the river allow swimming too, with fun all day long.

You might be doing a tour of French buildings/historical sites/churches. The underground church of St. Jean of Aubeterre, often referred to as The Monolithic Church, is carved out of the rock. Not only is it one of the oldest in Europe, it is also the tallest of its kind in the world, and only ten minutes away! It attracts thousands of visitors each year  whilst the chateau, the monasteries and convents, “Cordeliers, Minimes and Clarisses”, the medieval hospital of St. Francis, and the Church of St. Jacques, all bear witness to a rich history bound up with the church of Rome and the 17th-century wars of religion.

There are plenty of places to eat in the region. from fine dining to bar snacks. Some of the local favorites range from a short drive from the house, up to 30 minutes away. Reservations are recommended in high season. Check out our ‘Places to Eat’ blogs for more details.