Bonnes between Renaissance history and the Dronne

If you are looking for a hotel in Bonnes, the local sights and trails give you a concrete sense of the town’s travel themes. The château and the Église Saint-Pierre et Sainte-Radegonde represent different building periods; the Moulin de Bonnes, the Vallée de la Dronne Natura 2000 site and two walking routes draw attention to water, nature and hiking. You can weigh up which of these themes suits your trip by considering the history and the landscape associated with each one.

History around the château and church

The Château de Bonnes stands on the foundations of a medieval castle. From the 11th to the 16th century, it served as the seat of the Lambert family. After the Hundred Years’ War, the château was almost entirely rebuilt in the Renaissance style. It is generally open to visitors from 20 July to 31 August; check the specific dates before your trip.

The Église Saint-Pierre et Sainte-Radegonde was built at the end of the 12th or in the 13th century. Its two chapels, bell tower and façade were added in the first half of the 16th century. The bell also dates from the 16th century and has been classified as a Monument historique since 1943. The church itself was listed as a Monument historique by decree of 4 December 1995. The building therefore brings together several successive periods.

The mill and the Dronne: protected areas

The Moulin de Bonnes has been designated a protected architectural and natural area since 1943. It includes bypass channels intended to facilitate fish migration. Architecture and the waterside landscape are therefore both part of this protected site.

The Vallée de la Dronne Natura 2000 site is another point of interest for nature-minded travellers: within Bonnes, it covers 173.8 hectares of natural habitats of European interest. Its area and designation as a Natura 2000 site give the nature theme a concrete dimension that differs from that of the historic buildings.

Two walking routes, two landscape settings

The Circuit du Bois du Roi is a hike between Bonnes and Les Essards. The route passes through woodland and the Charente countryside. Historical commentary and village anecdotes accompany the trail and are available as downloadable audio-guide tracks or on an MP3 player available from Bonnes town hall.

The Circuit de la fontaine du loup passes through Bonnes alongside the Dronne River. Bonnes lies between Aubeterre-sur-Dronne and Saint-Aulaye. The banks of the Dronne along this route serve as an LPO bird sanctuary.

The landscape is a clear point of difference when choosing between the routes: the Circuit du Bois du Roi focuses on woodland and the Charente countryside between two towns, while the Circuit de la fontaine du loup follows the Dronne. You can plan your hike according to the features specified for each route.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Séverin, Marthon, Ranville-Breuillaud, Saint-Maurice-des-Lions, Courcôme, Saint-Fraigne, Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, Montrollet.

For the broader travel overview: Charente.