Angoulême

You can get to Angoulême by the very frequent service in 2h10 from Paris Montparnasse, south towards Bordeaux, Libourne, Chalais, Arcachon and further south. You can get Corail intercities, TER, and the very well-known TGV, renowned for its speed.

• The cathedral Saint Pierre
• The Saint Marial church
• The Hergé Statue
• The green garden (Jardin vert)
• the court (Francois premier place)
• The market " Les halles"
• The view from the ramparts (which replaced the medieval city walls)
• The Hôtel de Ville' (Town Hall)
• The murs peints, walls painted with cartoons
• Centre International de la Bande Dessinée (Comic Strip Museum), 121 rue de Bordeaux (bus #3 or #5), ☏ +33 5 45 38 65 65, fax: +33 5 45 38 65 51. Sep–Jun Tu–F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 14:00-18:00; Jul Aug: open M and until 19:00. €5. 
• Atelier-Musée du Papier (Paper making Museum), 134 rue de Bordeaux, ☏ +33 5 45 92 73 43. Jul Aug: Tu–Sa 12:00-18:30; Sep–Jun: Tu–Su 14:00-18:00. free. 
• Art and Historical Museum, 1, Rue de Friedland, ☏ +33 5 45 95 79 88. free. 

• Angoulême International Comics Festival (Festival international de la bande dessinée d'Angoulême). January. The largest comics festival in Europe, held since 1974. 
• Circuit des remparts: an old car race - in September
• Festival Musique Metisse: worldwide music show at the end of May
• Festival du film Francophone: French language movie exhibition at the end of August
• La Nef (Concert Hall)

Chocolat is the city speciality (the shape of the marguerite the real Angoulême symbol)

• Restaurant in the old Angoulême ("Vieil Angoulême") (lots of choice)
• For see food: Le Terminus in front of the train station
• For Meet: Le Boucher next to "Champs-de-mars",
• Local ambiance: Le Bruleau Charentais
• Young ambiance: Megane et Bastien
• For sushi: Sushi H at Gallery Champ-de-Mars
• For best quality: La Ruelle, Les artistes

• Cognac
• Pineau
• Local cocktail: Cognac Schwepps

Mercure Hotel

There are many places you can explore:

• Bordeaux (amazing architecture, wine, views, shops and pretty much the entire lot)
• Royan (1 hr 30 min by car) — famous seaside resort, closer sea access
• Chalais (amazing array of shops and spectacular French markets and architecture)
• La Rochelle (2 hr by car)
• Saintes (1 hr by car)
• Sarlat (2 hr by car)
• Poitiers (view points, restaurants and markets).