Charente: Heritage, Nature and River

A nearly six-metre-long Neolithic canoe and a Gallo-Roman theatre that could seat 7,000 spectators reveal two very different sides of Charente. There are also museums, river activities and natural areas. When planning a trip, you can start by considering whether culture and history, water or landscapes should shape your stay.

Discover museums and history

With 2,000 square metres of exhibition space, the Musée des savoir-faire du cognac explores work in the vineyards, distillation, and the production and distribution of Cognac. Its scope therefore ranges from cultivation to bringing the finished product to market. In Cognac, visits to Hennessy focus on the house’s heritage, traditional expertise, historic cellars and vineyards.

The Maison du négociant – Musée d’art et d’histoire displays traditional everyday objects from Charente, particularly from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection also includes a nearly six-metre-long Neolithic canoe, found in the Charente near Bourg-Charente. Everyday history and a much older artefact are presented side by side.

In Angoulême, Chais Magelis presents a unique collection of comic-book pages and major temporary exhibitions. This offers a different approach to culture from the objects and historical subjects of the museums in and around Cognac. If you are interested in illustrated stories, you can take this focus into account when planning.

Roman sites and regional history

The archaeological site of Bouchauds near Saint-Cybardeaux includes a sanctuary and one of the largest Gallo-Roman theatres in France. The theatre could accommodate 7,000 spectators. The site is open year-round and free to visit; exceptional closures are possible. So check access shortly before your visit. The hill of Bouchauds is also a protected Natura 2000 natural area.

Bassac tells the story of another era: its abbey is a monastic complex dating from the 11th century. Its cloister and gardens overlook the Guirlande. In Mosnac-Saint-Simeux, by contrast, the “essacs” represent traditional river knowledge. These traditional eel fisheries are part of the river heritage preserved there.

The Villages de Pierres et de Vignes designation brings together Bassac, Bourg-Charente, Lignières-Ambleville and Mosnac-Saint-Simeux for their viticultural and architectural heritage. It provides a useful guide for travellers who want to consider the connection between architecture and winegrowing, as well as individual sights. One regional speciality is the Cornuelle, a triangular aniseed biscuit from Villebois-Lavalette.

Nature, lakes and trails

The Guizengeard and Touvérac sites feature a mosaic of ecologically valuable habitats and are known for their ponds. Discovery trails with visitor facilities provide access to what the sites have to offer. As facilities and access rules can change, it is a good idea to check the latest visitor information before setting out.

At the Haute-Charente Lakes, you can swim, go boating, fish, hike and watch birds. These activities allow you to give your plans different focuses: spend time by the water or explore the lakes on foot and through birdwatching. For longer excursions, Charente also has hiking trails connected to the GR4, GR36 and GR48.

Cycling trips are another option: sections of La Scandibérique, La Flow Vélo and La Vélidéale run through Charente. La Flow Vélo is considered suitable for beginners as well as experienced cyclists.

River cruises and water activities

River cruises depart from Angoulême, Jarnac, Saint-Simon and Cognac. Check the timetable for your preferred date. Canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and boat trips are also possible on the Charente. Parts of the river can be navigated in a houseboat without a licence; this applies to the navigable stretches described, not automatically to the entire river.

Base your choice on the places and themes that matter for your trip. That way, your decision stays focused on the experiences you actually have planned.

Discover more destinations

Triac-Lautrait, Saint-Même-les-Carrières, Maine-de-Boixe, Birac, Confolens, Palluaud, Jauldes, Saint-Laurent-De-Céris, Guizengeard, Nercillac, Touvre, Julienne, Lessac, Rouillac, Abzac, Brossac, Garat, Échallat, Cherves-Châtelars, Montmoreau-Saint-Cybard, Jarnac, Bernac, Saulgond, Mainxe, Mouzon, Champagne-Mouton, Montignac-Charente, Parzac, Chillac, Mainzac, Vouthon, Guimps, Salles-Lavalette, Sers, Saint Preuil, Chabanais, Saint-Séverin, Genté, Sireuil, Ranville-Breuillaud, Salles-d'Angles, Nersac, Bourg-Charente, Condéon, Ronsenac, Pérignac, Aubeterre-Sur-Dronne, Benest, Chalais, Brillac, Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire, Blanzac-Porcheresse, Mansle, Rivières, Berneuil, Blanzac-Lès-Matha, Mosnac, Bonnes, La Rochefoucauld, Souvigné, La Couronne, Touzac, Ecuras, Paizay-Naudouin-Embourie, Pleuville, Beaulieu-Sur-Sonnette, Mazerolles, Saint-Angeau, Marthon, Gurat, Chasseneuil-Sur-Bonnieure, Cellefrouin, Aigre, Nanteuil-En-Vallée, Mesnac, Rouzède, Agris, Oradour-Fanais, Boutiers-Saint-Trojan, Montboyer, Le Vieux-Cérier, Manot, Laprade, Alloue, Montignac-Le-Coq, Esse, Fouquebrune, Juillé, Chadurie, Ansac-Sur-Vienne, Villebois-Lavalette, Le Grand-Madieu, La Péruse, Brigueuil, Ventouse, Courcôme, Blanzaguet-Saint-Cybard, Nonac, Saint-Romain, Montembœuf, Yvrac-Et-Malleyrand, Balzac, Les Métairies, Marillac-Le-Franc, Marsac, Chassors, Gardes-Le-Pontaroux, Magnac-Sur-Touvre, Vindelle, Saint-Germain-de-Montbron, Roullet-Saint-Estèphe, Chatignac, Saint-Médard, Saint-Sulpice-De-Cognac, Ruelle-sur-Touvre, Poullignac, Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, Chassenon, Brie-sous-Chalais, Montrollet, Bellon, Champmillon, Bors, Pillac, Criteuil-la-Magdeleine, Chabrac, Villefagnan, Suaux, Étagnac, Anais, Lignières-Sonneville, Marcillac-Lanville, Moulidars, Verteuil-Sur-Charente, Lesterps, Soyaux, Pranzac, Saint-Yrieix-Sur-Charente, Saint-Saturnin, Saint-Paul, Saint-Estèphe, Le Gond-Pontouvre, Villars, Mazières, Médillac, Angeac-Champagne, Cognac, Claix, Chille, Châteaubernard, Champniers, Asnières-Sur-Nouère, Angoulême, Ruffec, Les Pins, Valence, Nieuil, Bassac, Roumazières-Loubert, Bréville, Montbron, Massignac, Segonzac, Dignac, Baignes-Sainte-Radegonde, Dirac, Le Tâtre, Lachaise, Saint-Sornin, Roussines, Passirac, Vars, Condac, Édon, Gourville, Saint-Fraigne, Tusson, Gensac-la-Pallue, Yviers, Saint-Maurice-des-Lions, Luxé, Feuillade, Salles-de-Villefagnan, Challignac, Chenommet, Vouzan, Souffrignac, Genac, Mornac, Gondeville, Cherves-Richemont

For the overview of the wider region: Poitou Charentes.