Angeac-Champagne
Angeac-Champagne is situated in the Charente Saintongeaise area of the region.
Mayor
Mr Gérard FAURIE
Contact Details
Mairie
16130 Angeac-Champagne
Email : mairie.angeacchampagne@wanadoo.fr
Tel: 05.45.83.74.42
Fax: 05.45.83.64.19
Opening hours:
Tuesday : 14:00 -19:00
Thursday : 09:00 - 12:30, 14:00 - 19:00
Friday : 09:00 - 12:30, 14:00 - 18:30
Area: 1500 Hectares
Population 499
Presentation
This commune is mainly made up of the boroughs of Angeac et Roissac and includes the hamlets of Bois d’Angeac and Ruisseau It is predominantly a grape producing area at the heart of the Grande Champagne region. The local distilleries are an major producer of brandy.
History
Angeac-Champagne is an ancient area that can trace its origins back to Gallo-Roman times. The Roman influence is also evident at Roissac (from the Latin "Rosetum" due to the proliferation of roses according to the Flavius legend).
In the Middle Ages, Angeac was a Fiefdom under the protection of the castle at Boutville and was given to Aymar of Archiac by Philippe le Bel. The castle at Roissac first belonged to the Count of Angouleme, then the La Rochefoucault family and finally the de Mortemer family.
Heritage
The Roman church dedicated to Saint Vivien was built in the shape of a Latin cross and houses a beautiful Corinthian altarpiece. The castle at Roissac though medieval in origin, was rebuilt in the 18th Century and was an important seigneurie under the de Mortemer and La Rochefoucault families.
The fountain at Roissac is closely linked to the legend of Francois I who regularly hunted at the castle. This fountain has a small square aedicule topped by a dome, seven basins and is fed by an aqueduct.