Charente - The Road to Montignac

In support of the racing at Le Circuit International des Remparts d'Angoulême is the Rallye International de Charente, which this year saw no fewer than 400 vintage and classic cars explore the countryside of the Charente.

The rally took the cars through Montignac, north-west of Angoulême. A route taken to intercept them passed close to Balzac. The château here (top) was built circa 1600, although the chapel is of the fourteenth century. All in limestone, the house's curtilage is defined by a wonderfully columned arcade of stables and garages.

Just into Montignac is a sizeable junkyard, full of both cars and vans of yore, including faded but still attractive Simcas, Renaults (above), and a Citroën H van (middle).