Discover Tusson: Megaliths and Heritage

Tusson brings together megaliths and historic buildings, along with exhibitions, a signposted walking route and crafts. If you’re looking for hotels for a stay in Tusson, these themes offer starting points for planning your trip and deciding what interests you locally.

Megaliths and Getting Your Bearings

About 1 km east of Tusson, a line of five megalithic monuments runs along a ridge oriented roughly north to south. It overlooks the area as far as Charente Limousine. For its period, Gros Dognon is among the three largest monuments in Europe.

The Tumulus du Vieux Breuil is signposted from the village; its access route, about 1 km long, starts at the parish church. Admission is free, and an information board is on site. The Tumulus du Petit Dognon lies 400 m north of Vieux Breuil and can be reached via a local road. It was developed by the Historic Monuments Department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Church, Priory and Building History

The Gothic Église paroissiale Saint-Jacques was consecrated in 1227. Its furnishings include contemporary frescoes by the painter Robert Mantienne. The Prieuré Fontevriste is a former priory dating from the 12th century; Marguerite d’Angoulême occasionally used it as a retreat.

The Logis in Tusson also tells a story of several building phases: it was built in the 16th century. The first structure rests on an older wall, probably a fragment of the fortifications built at the end of the 14th century. According to Brantôme, the Logis was built to accommodate Marguerite d’Angoulême and her companions.

The Couvent des Hommes belongs to the municipality and is freely accessible. Together with the church, the former priory and the Logis, it shows the different ways Tusson’s historic buildings can be understood: by their period of construction, function and documented connection to Marguerite d’Angoulême.

Maison du Patrimoine and Exhibitions

The Maison du Patrimoine includes reconstructions of historic regional interiors. Artistic and cultural exhibitions take place seasonally, and their programme may change. The Maison also presents the permanent exhibition “Les mégalithes en Ruffécois”, which is free to visit. If you’d like to combine the two, you’ll find recreated interiors alongside an exhibition about the region’s megaliths.

Walking Route, Woodland Trail and Guided Tour

The tourist discovery route through Tusson is signposted and starts to the left of the church on Rue du Maussant. As signage and access information may change, check the current directions before setting out. The Sentier du Prieuré passes through woodland, offering a different landscape from the route through the village. Guided tours of Tusson are available by booking by phone.

Tusson Ceramics

Since 2009, Atelier Mains d’Argile has offered hand-thrown functional pottery and decorative stoneware. The workshop can be seen behind the shop from the exhibition room. This means that, alongside the historic buildings and megalithic heritage, craftsmanship and its products provide another reason to visit. As opening arrangements may change, check them before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Jarnac, Beaulieu-Sur-Sonnette, Bourg-Charente, Yvrac-Et-Malleyrand, Dignac, Massignac, Juillé, Villars.

Return to the regional travel overview: Charente.