Things to see
South of the Charente, on the border of Perigord, Aubeterre sur Dronne is built as a natural amphitheater on top of the river Dronne. Its charming little streets, its beautiful old houses made of white stones are full of “meridional charm”. The village is part of the 151 most beautiful villages in France.
Aubeterre sur Dronne was known a long time ago as "Alba Terra". In a protected rural area, the
village economic life is based on "ecotourism", and the underground Church of St Jean, known as the "monolithic
Church", which attracts every year, thousands of visitors. The "chateau", the three monasteries and convents;
"Cordeliers, Minimes and Clarisses", the medieval Hospital St François, the two Churches Saint Jean and St
Jacques, are the witnesses to a rich historical and religious past. The convents and the Church of St Jacques are
located in the upper part of the village.
The lively area of the "ville basse" is a popular part
of the village. It has for a long time been the working part of the village full of shops and workshops and is
still the heart of the village, down the "Place Trarieux" towards the rue St Jean and the underground church. The
Ludovic Trarieux Square is the center of the life of the village, with its shops, its restaurants and terraces and
the highlight of the week: the Sunday morning market.
Everybody knows everybody, stops for a coffee and a chat. This square has been named after a famous
gentleman Ludovic Trarieux , born on the square in 1840.
The population of the village amounts to
430 people, but many more during the summer ! it is a European village, where French people mingle with Brits,
Dutch and Belgians in a good atmosphere.
