There has been a settlement on the rocky outcrop that is now Angouleme since at least the 1st century BC. Situated on a hilly area above the Charente river in southwestern France, Angoulême has been a seat of art and intellect since the 16th century, with patronage from the Valois family. The town underwent major urbanisation planning in the 19th century, and saw the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements in the early 20th century. During WWII, Angoulême was occupied by the Germans, and became a stronghold of the French Resistance. Because of the strategic rail links in the area, the town was subject to many bombing raids and much destruction. However, the historical old part of the town remains, and is now a pedestrianised quarter for shopping and dining.
The city of Angoulême has adapted over time, and is now a blend of traditional architecture and modern culture. Since the mid-1970s, the town has hosted an annual Comic Book Festival, which brings tourists from around the world. La Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l'Image (CNBDI) is the Angoulême comic strip museum. The building it is housed in is an excellent example of the city's investment in contemporary architecture. It was designed by Castro and built between 1985 and 1991. Angoulême has a strong street-art culture, and tours are available of the many street-art style murals dotted around town. There are also over 1,000 street name plaques around the city, which have been designed to echo the comic book style, and resemble the form of a speech bubble. Another contemporary building in the city is the School of Image and Sound (LIS) designed by Morisseau in 1990.
Angoulême and the surrounding area are known for their role in the paper industry. There is a paper mill museum along the Charente river, and perhaps the best known product of the region is the Rizla+ cigarette paper. The once-industrial areas of l’Houmeau and St-Cybard have been the subjects of extensive urban renewal projects, which created the Cité Magelis, a new technology park built in 1997.
For examples of historical buildings in Angoulême, the domed Angoulême cathedral dates from the 11th century and was extensively redesigned by the architect Abadie. He also designed the imposing Hôtel de Ville, which combines a more modern structure with the round ramparts of the original château.
The city offers a number of excellent restaurants and outdoor activities along the river. Take a cruise on the river Charente, or hire canoes, kayaks or mountain bikes to explore the areas along the waterfront.
