Angouleme.  High on a plateau overlooking a bend of the Charente river that has been occupied since the bronze age, the town grew significantly during the middle ages and through the 16th to 19th centuries, so there is much to see and do with good guides published by the Angouleme Tourism Office.

http://www.angouleme-tourisme.com  

 

The medieval heart of the "old town" is full of charm and the cobbled lanes are dotted with small restaurants, cafes and good shops

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This part of the country is historically significant for France and England, and internationally for prehistory. The architectural sites of the region span time and interests.

 

The Charente river links Angouleme to the Atlantic and so has been a route for invasions and conflict.    It is also significant in the history of trade in Cognac, wines, and saffron to name just a few products of the region.