The Megalithic church in the Charente riverside town of Aubeterre is one of the most amazing sights in France.
I have visited this little known treasure on three occasions with friends and family and on each occasion the impression on my fellow visitors has been striking and I myself felt awed each time. This is a place which is very very different.
The Megalithic church in Aubeterre originates way back in the early middle-ages around the time of the crusades. One of the local noblemen learnt of the techniques used in the Middle-east for hollowing out rock and building churches within mountains, complete with a shrine hewn from the solid limestone.
In those days it was believed that if you were buried close to and pointing at the shrine which in turn faces Jerusalem then you would have a fast track to heaven.
The megalithic church at Aubeterre was built with that aim and it is a quite extraordinary thing, huge in dimension, oppressive and beautiful at the same time, heavy with spirits yet light with reverence, a kind of mines of Moria from the Lord of the Rings feel to the place.
It has been well restored and tastefully lit to extract maximum impression, there is much more of a history to discover as well, particularly if you take a guided tour.
Aubeterre sur Dronne is a pretty hilltop village with a charming, typical village square where it is nice to eat or enjoy a drink. It’s a pleasant place to wonder round with super views of the river Dronne down in the valley. You can swim in the river if you like, it literally is the border of the Charente and the Dordogne.
Book a self catering holiday gite in Charente and discover its secrets, just one of the many secrets of a holiday in France.