Discover Sers: Archaeology, Churches and Nature

Prehistoric finds, sacred architecture and nature are among the highlights of a trip to Sers. The Roc de Sers archaeological site, Saint-Pierre Church, the Bellevau pilgrimage site and the Vallée des Fontenelles appeal to different interests. If you are looking for a hotel in Sers, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your trip. There are also specific visiting conditions to bear in mind at Bellevau.

Prehistoric traces at Roc de Sers

The prehistoric site at Roc de Sers yielded a sculpted frieze that is the oldest known to date. The finds include several settlement sites beneath rock overhangs, thousands of flint tools and limestone slabs engraved with animals. This range makes the site particularly informative for archaeology: the settlement sites point to places where people lived, the tools to craft activities, and the engraved slabs to visual depictions. The focus is therefore not only on individual works of art, but on several different types of prehistoric evidence.

The Le Préhisto-Sers Museum presents the history of prehistory and displays replicas of prehistoric objects. It complements the archaeological theme with an interpretive perspective: while the finds mentioned above are tangible evidence, the museum focuses on prehistory and reproductions of its objects. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between archaeological finds and interpretation supported by a museum.

Saint-Pierre: Building history across several centuries

Several historical periods come together at Saint-Pierre Church. The bell tower dates from the 12th century and was classified as a historic monument on 9 July 1970. The church also contains two chapels dating from the 13th and 15th centuries. The tower and chapels thus represent three different centuries. The 1970 classification applies to the bell tower. Saint-Pierre is therefore a specific point of interest for travelers interested in sacred architecture and historical building periods.

Bellevau: Pilgrimage and access conditions

In the 1950s, the Bellevau site became a pilgrimage destination dedicated to the Virgin Mary; the pilgrimage is now held on 15 August. On days other than 15 August, you can reach the miraculous spring via a municipal road. The caves and chapel are private. Check the access conditions on site before planning a visit.

Nature in the Vallée des Fontenelles

The Vallée des Fontenelles has been classified as a Natura 2000 site since 2013 and includes ponds, reed beds, wildflowers and oak trees. A 3 km path runs through the valley, immersed in nature, allowing visitors to discover its varied natural features. The length of the path gives you a clear indication of the scope of this nature outing. Two different details are therefore useful when planning: the designation indicates the site's status, while the path length indicates the scope of the nature outing described. Unlike the archaeological finds and the church, the focus here is on a natural landscape and a trail.

Discover more destinations: Les Métairies, Roussines, La Couronne, Chassenon, Poullignac, Abzac, Le Vieux-Cérier, Marillac-Le-Franc

For the regional travel overview: Charente.