Charente: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Culture and history

Charente combines viticulture, river history, art and archaeological evidence. The Musée des savoir-faire du cognac is dedicated to work in the vineyard, distillation, and the production and distribution of Cognac in a 2,000-square-metre exhibition space. In Cognac, the tours at Hennessy include the heritage of the house, traditional expertise, historic cellars and the vineyard.

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 museum’s collection also includes a Neolithic canoe almost six metres long, discovered in the Charente near Bourg-Charente. In Angoulême, Chais Magelis presents a unique collection of comic-book pages and major temporary exhibitions.

The Gallo-Roman past is also visible in several places. The Bouchauds archaeological site near Saint-Cybardeaux comprises a sanctuary and one of the largest Gallo-Roman theatres in France. The theatre could accommodate 7,000 spectators. The Bouchauds archaeological site is freely accessible year-round; Bouchauds Hill is also a protected Natura 2000 nature area. Cassinomagus offers guided tours of its Gallo-Roman baths.

Bassac Abbey is an 11th-century monastic complex; its cloister and gardens overlook the Guirlande. The Essacs in Mosnac-Saint-Simeux are traditional eel fisheries and reflect preserved knowledge of the river.

Nature and water

The areas of Guizengeard and Touvérac contain a mosaic of ecologically valuable habitats. They are known for their ponds and have discovery trails with visitor facilities. Bois du Dérivant is described as a sensitive natural area where protected plants and characteristic riverside biodiversity coexist.

The lakes of Haute-Charente offer opportunities for swimming. Boating, fishing, hiking and birdwatching are also possible there. The Charente River is suitable for canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and boat trips. Parts of the Charente can be navigated by houseboat without a licence.

River cruises depart from Angoulême, Jarnac, Saint-Simon and Cognac. This provides different starting points along the river for this form of transport.

On foot and by bike

Charente has hiking routes connected to the GR4, GR36 and GR48. For longer cycling tours, sections of La Scandibérique, La Flow Vélo and La Vélidéale pass through the area. La Flow Vélo is suitable for cyclists ranging from beginners to experienced riders.

Regional specialities and local character

The Cornuelle is a triangular anise-flavoured pastry originating from Villebois-Lavalette. In the Charentes, Cagouilles are prepared with white wine, vegetables and Cognac. The Villages de Pierres et de Vignes label brings together Bassac, Bourg-Charente, Lignières-Ambleville and Mosnac-Saint-Simeux because of their viticultural and architectural heritage.

Places in Charente

The selection of places in Charente includes Abzac, Brossac, Garat, Lessac, Rouillac, Salles-Lavalette, Sers, Saint Preuil, Villars, Saint-Yrieix-Sur-Charente, Saint-Saturnin, Saint-Paul, Saint-Estèphe, Le Gond-Pontouvre, Cognac, Claix, Chille, Châteaubernard, Champniers, Asnières-Sur-Nouère, Angoulême, Ruffec, 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, Les Pins, Valence, Nieuil, Bassac, Roumazières-Loubert, Bréville, Montbron, Massignac, Segonzac, Dignac, Baignes-Sainte-Radegonde, Dirac, Le Tâtre, Lachaise, Saint-Sornin, Roussines, Chabanais, Saint-Séverin, Passirac, Vars, Cherves-Châtelars, Montmoreau-Saint-Cybard, Jarnac, Cherves-Richemont, Roullet-Saint-Estèphe, Chatignac, Saint-Médard, Saint-Sulpice-De-Cognac, Échallat, Genté, Chassors, Gardes-Le-Pontaroux, Magnac-Sur-Touvre, Vindelle, Pillac, Moulidars, Verteuil-Sur-Charente, Lesterps, Soyaux, Pranzac, Étagnac, Anais, Lignières-Sonneville, Marcillac-Lanville, Chabrac, Villefagnan, Suaux, Birac, Confolens, Nercillac, Paizay-Naudouin-Embourie, Pleuville, Beaulieu-Sur-Sonnette, Mazerolles, Saint-Angeau, Marthon, Gurat, Chasseneuil-Sur-Bonnieure, Palluaud, Jauldes, Saint-Laurent-De-Céris, Guizengeard, Saint-Romain, Montembœuf, Yvrac-Et-Malleyrand, Balzac, Les Métairies, Marillac-Le-Franc, 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, Bors, Touvre, Julienne, Champmillon, Cellefrouin, Bellon, Montrollet, Condac, Brie-sous-Chalais, Bernac, Saulgond, Mainxe, Mouzon, Champagne-Mouton, Montignac-Charente, Parzac, Chillac, Mainzac, Vouthon, Guimps, Chassenon, Ruelle-sur-Touvre, Marsac, Poullignac, Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, 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, Nersac, Bourg-Charente, Condéon, Angeac-Champagne, Triac-Lautrait, Saint-Même-les-Carrières, Maine-de-Boixe, Saint-Germain-de-Montbron, Mazières, Médillac, Criteuil-la-Magdeleine, Sireuil, Ranville-Breuillaud and Salles-d'Angles. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Charente can then continue their accommodation search.

For the higher-level travel overview: Poitou Charentes.