Winemaking

The houses of Angles-sur-l'Anglin have retained their large cellars, where barrels used to be laid down. Wine-growing culture was particularly important in this area of Vienne. According to the 1826 land registry, it covered roughly 20% of the local land across the commune, as can be seen in place names such as "les vignes au moine", "les vignes ansées" and "les vignes de Remerle". However, phylloxera decimated grape harvests across almost the entire southern half of France during the 1870s. This spelled the end of wine-growing.
While the vineyards have almost completely disappeared, traces can still be seen in the Anglois countryside. The dry stone buildings, known locally as "loges", served as shelters for the wine growers who came to work in the vineyards. Around fifty of them can still be seen dotted around the Anglois countryside. Perhaps you'll be able to spot one from the footpath?