The name itself literally means red headed man. Both words are Celtic in origin, and it’s thought this is where Ruffec may have derived its name.īut it could easily have been from a Romanised Gaul named Rufus, who was said to have owned property in the area. This forest was home to a special kind of red oak known as Chêne Rouvre. The first tale comes from the fact that In Roman days Ruffec sat on the outskirts of a deep forest, Forêt de Ruffec. ![]() Now there is some debate over which of these is true, and unfortunately there is no definitive proof for either. Many noble bourgeois and peasants met their death in that square, as Ruffec was a hotbed of violence during this time.īut what really fascinates me is how Ruffec got its name. However, during the Revolution it was the site of the Guillotine. The keep which dominated the town from the late 900’s, formed a part of the fortifications protecting Ruffec from outside attack.Īs you look down, you’ll see Place du Piolet, a pretty little square that looks innocent enough. However, Ruffec is steeped in history and where the Office de Tourisme now stands was the old citadel and stronghold. Here you can sit and enjoy coffee and cake watching the world go by. Walking up into the heart of the town you’ll see the bustling market square where weekly markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. ![]() Sat on the Lien River Ruffec is a picturesque market town dating back to Roman times. For our trip back in time we’ll be taking a virtual walk through five beautiful towns in the heart of the Charente. And in some cases, even the mythical tales of the mediaeval Knights Templar. These places have stories all of their own dating back to Roman times. The ones steeped in history where you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and into a bygone era. Further than places such as Angouleme, the capital city of the department, or Cognac, the brandy region known worldwide. We need to look at the other lesser-known towns and villages. Life really doesn’t get much better.īut to properly showcase Charente in all its historical glory we need to go deeper. The warm balmy evenings are made for drinking apéritifs and watching the sun set. Fields of sunflowers turn everything a beautiful shade of yellow and seem to go on for miles. In the summer this area is simply glorious. ![]() It lies to the northwest of the better-known region of the Dordogne. Now known as the Nouvelle Aquitaine, it’s a little slice of paradise in rural France. The department of Charente is situated in the South-eastern area of the Poitou-Charentes. And let’s not forget the wildlife such as deer, wild boar, red foxes, barn owls, bats, and badgers, to name but a few. Charente is a land of fresh air, little traffic, tranquillity, and beautiful countryside.
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