St Jean de Cole has been officially classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France (les plus beaux villages de France). A charming village with ochre coloured houses, including many half-timbered houses, and lovely tiled roofs.

Indeed the roofs once won the 'finest roofs in France' competition. I think that is stretching the the truth. The river Cole runs along one edge of the river and you can stop and admire it from the lovely little humpbacked bridge or the small river beach below. This stretch of river is very green and tranquil. The village square is flanked on one side by the Chateau de la Marthonie.

The castle has a 15th century part made up of towers and a donjon and is quite austere and added to this is a 17th century wing in a much softer style, built over a series of arches.

On another side of the square is the Romanesque Byzantine church of St Jean Baptist built in the 11th century and with a quite unusual rounded shape. Combined the two buildings and the cottage-style houses on the other edge make the square very attractive. Sit and enjoy the view over a cup of coffee at the cafe.

A good time to visit the village is during the weekend closest to the 8 May when they hold their annual flower fair. More than a hundred exhibitors display and sell their products and the mass of plants and flowers against the backdrop of this beautiful village is not to be missed. Worth seeing nearby are Brantome, Chateau de Puyguilhem and the caves at Villars

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