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A charming village and home to the largest underground church in Europe. It is officially listed as "one of the most beautiful villages in France." Located in the southern Charente region, it borders the Dordogne, renowned for its historic villages, castles, prehistoric caves, and breathtaking landscapes. In the heart of the village, a lovely square awaits you, lined with terraces and restaurants. Enjoy strolling through its narrow, cobbled, medieval, and romantic streets, lined with typical stone houses that give the village its special and picturesque character.

A visit is absolutely recommended, unique.

Very beautiful village

Located on one of the paths to Santiago de Compostela, the Via Turonensis (Road to Tours), the Saint-Denys de Montmoreau church was built in the 12th century. It has retained its original appearance, with the exception of the square Romanesque bell tower which was completely modified in the mid-19th century by Paul Abadie. A Romanesque church whose façade is marked by a polylobed portal and two arcades. It consists of a nave covered with a barrel vault, a transept whose crossing has a dome on pendentives and a vast, very bright semicircular apse. The chevet bordering the road is decorated with a very prominent horizontal cordon supported by modillions representing human or animal faces. The magnificent Romanesque frontispiece has an arched portal whose five arches form an archivolt resting on slender columns with sculpted capitals. The inner arch is openworked by six lobes ending with symbolic animal heads. All the decorations bear witness to an oriental influence in the South-West Romanesque and especially to the virtuosity of the sculptors. https://www.montmoreau.fr/index-module-orki-page-view-id-115.html https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00104432/montmoreau-eglise-saint-denis

It was originally a Benedictine abbey from the 11th century. The abbey experienced the horrors of the 100 Years' War in the 14th and 15th centuries, then those of the religious wars which marked the 16th century. Seized as national property during the Revolution, the building was reborn when it fell into the hands of a new owner at the end of the 1980s who opened it to the public.

This thousand-year-old castle overlooks the surrounding plains. From its heights, beautiful panoramas pass before our eyes. It is an ancient citadel. Many activities are offered all year round. You can also visit the castle to discover more about its history. More information on https://www.chateaudevilleboislavalette.com/.

The course of the Dronne extends over 200 kilometers. At this location, as at others, it is classified as a natural area of ecological, fauna and flora interest. It is possible to observe, among other things, tree frogs, white-clawed crayfish, otters and mink, kingfishers and larks, and also lampreys.

Superb commune certified “Most beautiful villages in France”. The white facades of the houses give the village squares a beautiful appearance. The village is known for its underground church of Saint-Jean in particular. The belvedere offers a breathtaking view of the red tiled roofs of the houses and their characteristic loggias which were once used to dry crops.