Lying some 100 kilometres north of Bordeaux, the Charente is well known for its large number of sunshine hours – around 2,300 per year. Compared with the UK average of 1,600 hours you can see what makes a holiday so attractive… at any time of the year. In France in fact, only the Côte d’Azur has more hours of sunshine.

Night time in Charente is also very beautiful as the intense darkness means the stars of the universe shine exceptionally brightly. It is also very quiet and peaceful.

Location. Camping & Gîtes Essubras is located where the departments of Charente, Haute Vienne and Limousine join one another. Travelling along the small winding lanes through endless valleys and hills crisscrossed with traditional low hedges, a stunning new landscape seems to await you at every bend in the road. The majesty of the woods, and the fields filled with wild flowers, plus an occasional deer crossing your path and the non-stop song of the birds all combine to make the surroundings a sheer paradise. The area is also reputed to be the home of the legendary monster ‘the Mandrake (or Mandragore in French)’. In fact, it is not a monster, but a poisonous plant that originally comes from southern Italy and Greece. But its root is said to resemble the human form and if it is plucked… it shrieks. Hence the reputation of a monster!

Flora and fauna.  All over the area around Essubras, you can take a trip into the past and visit a number of  menhirs and dolmens. If you are lucky you can also spot some very unusual wildlife… like Felix Sylvestre (a large wildcat), badgers, martens, wild sheep and wild boar. The most protected flower in the area is the ‘Sabot de Vénus’… a type of orchid. You can enjoy its delicate bloom… but under no circumstances may you pick it.

Mountains and waters.  Some of France’s oldest mountains are to be found in the area which was formed hundreds of millions of years ago. Originally part of the Massif Centrale, it separated from this region about 60 million years ago. The mountains and the ground beneath them are primarily composed of granite, and are rich in rare minerals.

The landscape is very hilly and often very rugged, with deep ravines and fast flowing rivers.

Montrol Senard

A beautiful spot!! U will find yourself back in time.

An old school, an old house with furniture from 1900. A old bakery, cobbler and old bar etc.

Amaze yourself!

château de Rochefoucauld.

History. Close by Essubras, you can visit a number of chateaux. The 11^th/12^th century Chateau de Rochebrun is a fine example. In the 16^th century, its owner Marchal Blaise de Montluc became infamous for his pitiless pursuit of the protestants. Other chateaux in the area that are worth a visit include Chateau de Montbrun, the Chateau of Chalus (where Richard the Lionheart was killed), Chateau de Bonneval and Chateau de Rochefoucauld.

Confolens, located at the confluence of the rivers Vienne and Goire, is a small medieval city full of architectural gems. It’s a culture centre too and every year, together with the area of Charente-Limousine, it plays host to the international festival of song and dance… Danses et Musiques du Monde.

Very famous are the Charente slippers.

Located around 15 kilometres from Essubras, Oradur-sur-Glane and its Centre de la Memoire, is a village which remembers its 642 martyrs - men, women and children - who were murdered by the German SS on the 10^th June 1944. Since that date little has been changed in the village, and the Centre which is a strong reminder of this terrifying act of barbarism, is a ‘must visit’. A new town bearing the same name has now been built close by.

5 minutes away from Bellac is another ancient example of architecture worth a visit… the15th century gateway with its portcullis, at Le Dorat.

Just a few kilometres from Essubras is Lesterps which boasts an ancient abbey featuring a 10^th century bell tower that is unique in France.

In Essubras itself, there is also an impressive and unusual 17^th century stone carving which has been cemented into the wall of a house.

Angoulême is a thriving industrial centre that is dominated by the 12^th century cathedral of Saint-Pierre with its richly decorated façade full of sculptures and carvings. The ramparts of the old city walls offer you walks with spectacular views over the Charente valley.

A comfortable drive from Essubras, the town of Limoges is worth a visit to see (and maybe even buy) some of the famous enamelware and porcelain that have for centuries made the town famous.

And not forget Saint Junien with the famous gloves. Even Jean Paul Gauthier and Yves Saint Laurent shop here for gloves!!