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Surrounding Area: Montbron has a large Irish and English population that has integrated beautifully with the French locals. You have the opportunity to practice your French if you wish, but the safety net of an English speaking community if you just want to relax.
As the townhouse sits in the main square of the town, you are just a short walk from all the local amenities. The square itself plays host to the local market every Saturday morning, the centre of the All Night Market in August and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March, among other events throughout the year.
The square is also home to Chez Maurice, a quaint Irish pub just a stones throw from the front door. Stop in for a morning coffee before dropping into the boulangerie next door, or sit in the sunshine any time of day and enjoy a Guinness or a glass of local wine. The bar also has wireless internet access if you just cannot get away from that laptop.
Around the corner you will find the Italian restaurant, La Toscane, the hotel and restaurant of La Trois Marchands, and the Bar L’Europe. The Intermarche is a 2 minute walk and provides everything you would expect at a good supermarket.
If you are missing English fare a little too much, you could always find your way to the English Tea Room, opposite the Intermarche, for a cream tea or a full English Breakfast whilst you read the English papers, and you can even get fresh fish and chips in the square on a Friday night.
The town also has several other small bars and newsagents, boutiques, bakeries and deli shops. The tourist office has free internet access and any information that you may need about local activities.
Local activities include golf, kayaking, walking, cycling, swimming, horse riding and even sailing. Within half an hours drive is the historic town of Angouleme with its medieval ramparts and old-town charms, as well as all the shopping facilities of a modern city. The town is divided into two parts. The old town, with its many historical buildings, sits on a hill looking down at the bustling new town. You can walk right around the ramparts, which encircle the old town. The Nautilis swimming complex and inland beach facility, complete with children’s attractions and boating/windsurfing are a mere 25-minute drive away. Other cultural attractions are within comfortable traveling distance, such as the beautiful chateau of La Rouchfoucauld, ancient caves and quaint brocante sales.
Further a-field (1 hour’s drive) is the world-famous town of Cognac. Cognac is a fairly small town with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. The old town is a maze of narrow streets lined with 15th – 17th century buildings. There are quite a few interesting museums in the town. The Musée de Cognac has an extensive display covering local culture and fine arts.
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