Balzac: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Château de Balzac was the residence and retreat of the writer Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac. The château contains unique 17th-century wall paintings: architecture appears in trompe-l’œil technique, complemented by mythological figures such as Cupid, Neptune and Mercury.

Culture and History

The Église Saint Martin is a Romanesque church; its features indicate that it originated in the late 12th century. Three round-arched windows are set in its apse, framed by small columns with sculpted capitals. A late-medieval wall painting also depicts an archer shooting at a half-naked man who is tied to a post.

The Peu Chatelard archaeological site near the Coteaux de Coursac is also part of Balzac’s history. Peu Chatelard was a Neolithic village dating from around 2500 BC. The archaeological remains at the site include pottery shards, worked tools made of flint and bone, as well as bones from domestic and wild animals; the village was inhabited by farmers between 3500 and 2900 BC.

When planning a stay in Balzac, renting a holiday apartment can also be considered.

Landscape and Trails

Peu Châtelard is a viewpoint overlooking the Charente Valley and the surrounding municipalities. Local opportunities for walking and recreation in Balzac include hikes along the Charente. The Font Saint-Martin spring and the Coursac viewpoint are also local places for walking and recreation in Balzac.

The Circuit de Balzac leads downhill towards the Argence Valley and includes a round trip to visit the Font Saint-Martin spring on the slope.

Visit

The Château de Balzac is open to the public for the outdoor areas from 12 July to 20 August, except Saturdays, from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

More local pages: Nieuil, Aubeterre-Sur-Dronne, Boutiers-Saint-Trojan, Angeac-Champagne, Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire, Vindelle, Lessac, Nanteuil-En-Vallée.

To the higher-level travel overview: Charente.