Explore La Couronne through its different layers of history and landscapes: from a Romanesque church and the story of a paper mill to protected habitats. For planning your visit, it helps to distinguish between culture and nature. The buildings tell stories of architecture and former uses; the natural areas focus on habitats and their management.
Romanesque architecture and protected buildings
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built around 1100 and is considered an example of Angoumoisin Romanesque architecture. It has been classified as a Monument historique since 29 September 1903. The construction date and protected status provide two distinct points of reference: the first relates to medieval architecture, while the second marks official recognition of its heritage value. Visitors interested in historic architecture will find a clearly defined focus here in La Couronne.
The Château de l'Oisellerie also brings together several aspects of local history. Built in the mid-15th century, it was an outbuilding of the Abbaye Notre-Dame de la Couronne. A decree dated 8 July 1911 classified the château as a Monument historique. Its construction date, historical connection to the abbey and later protected status can therefore be considered separately, rather than reduced to a single year.
From paper mill to cardboard factory
The Moulin à papier de la Courade reflects a change in industrial use: it was built in 1837 on the site of a paper mill dating from 1634. In 1904, it was converted into a cardboard factory. This sequence reveals both the site's earlier history as a mill and its later industrial function. It offers a different way of exploring the past than the church and château architecture: here, the focus is on papermaking and the shift to cardboard production.
The industrial past is also reflected in the name La Tréfilerie, which was newly assigned in this context in 2024. Under this name, the site houses three separate cultural spaces: a theatre, an exhibition hall and a media library. The cultural offering therefore includes not only historic buildings but also different types of cultural venues. When planning your visit, you can choose between architectural history, industrial history and these three types of cultural spaces.
Architecture and public spaces
The École élémentaire Marie-Curie has been awarded the “Architecture contemporaine remarquable” designation. Its design combines the geometric forms of surfaces characteristic of Art Deco with references to regionalist architecture. This broadens the architectural perspective beyond medieval and early modern buildings. Another design element can be found at the Jardin public Eugène Bureau, a public garden designed by Eugène Bureau.
Protected habitats and their management
The Chaumes des SĂ©verins are calcareous grasslands classified as a Natura 2000 site. Sheep graze the 14-hectare area. This management helps preserve open habitats and prevent excessive scrub encroachment, allowing typical and rare plants as well as distinctive wildlife, including butterflies and grasshoppers, to thrive. The site therefore combines a specific landscape type with a clearly described conservation measure.
The Marais du Pradeau offers a different nature experience. This wetland is considered evidence of the former peat bogs and marshes of the Boëme. A total of 71 plant species and 115 animal species have been recorded there. Unlike the calcareous grasslands of the Chaumes, the focus here is on a wetland and its biodiversity. Visitors exploring the natural areas around La Couronne can thus discover two distinct habitat types and their particular features.
Cycling in La Couronne
La Couronne and its surroundings have numerous cycle paths. Modalis bicycles are available for self-service at the PEM. As availability may change, check before your trip whether the service is available during your visit. Cycling is therefore a separate planning consideration alongside the area's architectural, cultural and landscape attractions.
Discover more destinations: Roussines, Mesnac, Gondeville, Bors, Bellon, Lignières-Sonneville, Confolens, Bréville
For the overall travel overview: Charente.
