Camping La Ripole

With its historic centre surrounded by the river Dronne, Brantôme is known for an 11th-century waterfront abbey, whose limestone caves preserve bas-reliefs carved into the rock by early monks. There are more troglodyte structures at Le Bimbillou Parc, where you can also see elegant, wisteria-covered arches and an old mill. A stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, Périgueux (55 minutes’ drive) is dominated by a distinctive cathedral with multiple domes. The Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum has been built around the remains of an ancient villa with colourful murals, and it also displays artefacts unearthed in the area. Exhibits at the Musée de la Bande Dessinée at Angoulême (an hour) include original drawings for comics strips by Francophone authors like Hergé (of Tintin fame). After exploring this collection, step outside and take a selfie with the statue of comic book character Corto Maltese, on a pedestrian bridge crossing the river Charente.