Bréville offers different ways to explore culture and crafts: the architectural history of Saint-Benoît Church, the Centre d'art vivant, L'Atelier de Lise and the “Art et passion du bois” festival. There are also the vineyards and surrounding forests, which invite you to stroll and explore, as well as Pineau des Charentes to taste at Le Bio J'y Crois. When choosing where to stay, you can focus on these different themes: architecture, exhibited works, pottery, woodworking, landscapes and local flavours each offer a distinct perspective.
Saint-Benoît Church: distinct phases of construction
At Saint-Benoît Church, different periods can be traced through individual parts of the building. The entrance pillars of the choir may date back to the 12th century. The portal and the choir vault date from the 15th century; the nave was restored and re-vaulted in 1881. These dates refer to different parts and works, not to a single construction date for the entire building. The dates also vary in certainty: the early origin of the choir pillars remains possible, while the information about the portal, vault and restoration is more specific. It is therefore worth looking at the parts separately rather than assigning the entire church to a single period.
Wood art at the Centre d'art vivant
The Centre d'art vivant is a museum in Bréville. It displays turned or carved works made from wood and other materials, created at festivals or artist residencies since 2003. Wood is therefore an important point of reference, but the range of materials extends beyond it. The Centre also has a playful, educational booklet about “Le sentier du bois”. The booklet explores the theme of wood, while the exhibited works also include other materials. Those interested in the artistic side of crafts will find a different focus here than at Saint-Benoît: the museum centres on works and their creation at festivals or artist residencies, while the church offers a look at its architectural features and their different historical periods.
Pottery in Bréville
L'Atelier de Lise welcomes visitors to its pottery workshop in Bréville. The workshop makes and sells unique clay pieces as art ceramics. This adds another craft perspective to the exhibition at the Centre d'art vivant: here, the focus is on pottery and ceramic pieces for sale, while the museum displays turned or carved works made from wood and other materials. The pieces available at L'Atelier de Lise may change.
Wood festival: dates and programme
The “Art et passion du bois” festival takes place every two years in August; the exact dates vary with each edition. The recurring programme includes a woodturning competition and workshops. The workshops are open to all visitor groups, but registration and availability may vary from one edition to another. The festival centres on the competition and workshops, whereas the Centre d'art vivant displays works created at festivals or artist residencies. This distinguishes the event, which takes place at a specific time, from the works exhibited there. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.
Vineyards, forests and Pineau des Charentes
The vineyards of Bréville and the surrounding forests invite you to stroll and explore. For a tasting, Le Bio J'y Crois in Bréville offers white, red and rosé Pineau des Charentes. Confirm the tasting arrangements before you travel. The landscape and tasting complement visits to the church, museum and craft venues with interests of their own, without needing to form part of a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Marillac-Le-Franc, Montmoreau-Saint-Cybard, Guimps, Marthon, Garat, Lesterps, Saint-Yrieix-Sur-Charente, Saint-Sulpice-De-Cognac
For the wider travel overview: Charente.
