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The Monument
Nestled in a small valley, near the Charente region, Charroux’s octagonal tower is the vestige of one of the most powerful Benedictine abbey of France in the Middle Ages. The monastery, founded at the end of the 8th century by Roger, the Count of Limoges, was protected by Charlemagne.
The huge church-abbey constructed in the 11th century perpetuates the memory of the Carolingian architecture. What remains of it reveals that it surrounded the immense rotunda composed of three constructions and devoted to Our Saviour. But today, only one tower of the rotunda, called the tower of Charlemagne, is still left. The 15th century chapter house, which is the only vestige of the monastic buildings, contains sculptures from the Gothic portal and the treasury
Lodging
See the listing of the Hotels in Poitiers
See the listing of the Hotels in Angouleme
Practical information
Abbaye Saint-Sauveur de Charroux
Place Saint-Pierre
86250 Charroux
Going there
From Poitiers or Angoulême: main road N 10 to Limalonges, then secondary road D 148 to Limoges
From Limoges: exit n° 7, main road N 141 towards Angoulême, then secondary roads D 948 and D 148 towards Niort
From Niort: exit n° 3 and secondary roads D 948 and D 148 towards Limoges
On the Niort/Limoges road via
20 km east of the Poitiers/Angoulême road
66 km northwest of Oradour-sur-Glane
Opening / Closing
Open
every day except Monday
2 May to 31 August : 9:30-12:30 and 2-6:30 pm
1 September to 30 April : 10-12:30 and 2-5:30 pm
Closed
January 1, May 1, November 1, November 11 and December 25