Things to do around Bellon
by Car
Charming Towns & Heritage
Bordeaux – 1 h 10 min ♥
UNESCO-listed 18th-century centre (Place de la Bourse & Miroir d’Eau), La Cité du Vin wine museum and the buzzing Marché des Capucins.
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne – 10 min
Elected “Most beautiful french village”, visit the huge 12th-century underground Church of Saint-Jean and relax on the little river beach.
Chalais – 10 min
Monday market famed for “veau de Chalais”, a clifftop château and mellow terrace cafés on Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville.
Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire – 30 min
Twin medieval towers, narrow streets and wine bars pouring local Pineau and Cognac.
Angoulême – 60 min
Comic-book murals, the Musée de la Bande Dessinée and panoramic walks on the hill-top ramparts above the Charente River.
Bordeaux
Nature, Water & Outdoors
Royan – 1 h 20 min ♥
Lively Atlantic-coast resort with 1950s modernist architecture, long Grande Conche beach and surfy Pontaillac bay lined with ice-cream parlours, seafood bistros and a waterfront casino. Great for a full beach day or sunset dinner on the seafront.
Canoe the River Dronne – 10 min
Gentle paddle past cliffs and willow banks; twilight descents twice a week in July–August.
Lac de Guizengeard – 20 min
Short forest loop to vivid turquoise quarry lakes (no swimming).
Voie Verte Cycle Trail – 25 min
Traffic-free former railway with sunflower views; bikes in Aubeterre.
Les Antilles de Jonzac – 45 min
Tropical indoor water-park with lagoon pools, wave machine, slides and spa area; book online in summer.
Royan
Food, Drink & Markets
Hennessy, Cognac – 60 min ♥
Multimedia cellar tour ending with VSOP/X.O tasting; reserve ahead.
Family Cognac & Pineau estates – 30 min
Small domaines near Barbezieux host vineyard walks and relaxed apéro-concerts.
Local Markets
Chalais (Mon) for produce; Maison Hennessy (Sun evenings, Jul–Aug) for crafts and street food.
Maison Hennessy