Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire
Encyclopedia
Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire is a commune
in the Charente
department in southwestern France.
The commune of Barbezieux, with the neighbouring village of St Hilaire, forms the most important town in Southern Charente.
Barbezieux is a fortified hill town on the historic route south west from Paris – Poitiers to Bordeaux – Spain, now served by the N 10, which fortunately bypasses Barbezieux. The town rises from narrow streets of unspoilt, typically Charentaise buildings to the medieval chateau
, which dominates the western approach.
wine growing, second only to the finest Grande Champagne and is in the heart of the vineyards producing Cognac and the local drink ‘Pineau de Charente’
. There is excellent accommodation for those wishing to visit the town including a Chambres D’Hôtes in a beautifully restored and elegant 18th Century Maison de Maitre, hosting a fine collection of Modern Art, to be found in Rue de L’Alma in the heart of the old town.
. Entering the church, there is the statue of St Mathias. At one time, the Apostle's head is said to have been kept in the church! The church has been altered over the centuries and had major restoration in the 1970s. It is a fine example of a Romanesque church, well used by the community.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Charente
Charente
Charente is a department in southwestern France, in the Poitou-Charentes region, named after the Charente River, the most important river in the department, and also the river beside which the department's two largest towns, Angoulême and Cognac, are sited.-History:Charente is one of the original...
department in southwestern France.
The commune of Barbezieux, with the neighbouring village of St Hilaire, forms the most important town in Southern Charente.
Barbezieux is a fortified hill town on the historic route south west from Paris – Poitiers to Bordeaux – Spain, now served by the N 10, which fortunately bypasses Barbezieux. The town rises from narrow streets of unspoilt, typically Charentaise buildings to the medieval chateau
Château
A château is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally—and still most frequently—in French-speaking regions...
, which dominates the western approach.
Population
Wine
Barbezieux also forms part of the Petite Champagne area of CognacCognac
Cognac is a commune in the Charente department in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angoulême and Saintes. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, with the smaller right...
wine growing, second only to the finest Grande Champagne and is in the heart of the vineyards producing Cognac and the local drink ‘Pineau de Charente’
Services
The access to the N10 means that Barbezieux has developed as a modern lively town of over 5000 inhabitants, whilst retaining all the character of the old town, with interesting shops; twice weekly markets; foires and other public entertainments; lido; cinema; sporting and equestrian facilities, also a high school, a hospital, and other important services for the whole area.Tourism
Barbezieux is an excellent centre for touring the South Charente and also a short drive from the coast. For tourists and cyclists following the Chemin de St Jacques to Compostella, the Voie Verte, or Green Way, is the beautifully developed former railway line, running approx 40km. South from Barbezieux towards BordeauxBordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
. There is excellent accommodation for those wishing to visit the town including a Chambres D’Hôtes in a beautifully restored and elegant 18th Century Maison de Maitre, hosting a fine collection of Modern Art, to be found in Rue de L’Alma in the heart of the old town.
St Mathias Church
The main church of Barbezieux, St Mathias, was built in the twelfth century and is one of the largest in the Diocese of AngoulêmeAngoulême
-Main sights:In place of its ancient fortifications, Angoulême is encircled by boulevards above the old city walls, known as the Remparts, from which fine views may be obtained in all directions. Within the town the streets are often narrow. Apart from the cathedral and the hôtel de ville, the...
. Entering the church, there is the statue of St Mathias. At one time, the Apostle's head is said to have been kept in the church! The church has been altered over the centuries and had major restoration in the 1970s. It is a fine example of a Romanesque church, well used by the community.