In remote ages this river was considered one of the most beautiful of France and it still is Going upstream from Rochefort one passes a wild, hilly region with the well known old towns of Charente-Maritime and after two or three days Cognac with its abundance of distilleries is reached. Afterwards the surroundings become quite unique where sinister valleys with old papermills are inhabited by bats and one arrives in Angoulême, the capital of cartoons and comics after a few antique locks.
The Cognac marina is located in the heart of the city and ideally meets the needs of canalboaters. A towpath allows the discovery of heritage, wildlife and flora, walking and cycling.
Attractions:
Right bank of the Charente River: the St Jacques district offers different kinds of shops and a large outdoor market on Saturday morning. Pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela were once step in this neighborhood.
Left bank of the Charente River : Cognac is full of old medieval architectural treasures including the castle of Valois, birthplace of François I, and the towers of St Jacques, the House of the Lieutenance…
But also : the discovery space of the land of Cognac (funny and interactive discovery of Cognac and its heritage – near the marina – free entrance) the museums and parks, not to mention the houses of Cognac and the distilleries offering tours and tastings of their famous old Cognac…
km | Place | Information |
---|---|---|
0 | Angoulême | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
5 | Fléac | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
12 | Nersac | ![]() |
17 | Pont de Sireuil | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
22 | St. Simeux | ![]() |
23 | Chateauneuf | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
43 | Jarnac | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
48 | Bourg Charente | ![]() ![]() |
58 | Cognac | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
10 | Dompierre sur Charente | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
15 | La Baine | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
16 | Chaniers | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
27 | Saintes | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
42 | Port d’Envaux | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
49 | St. Savinien | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
71 | Tonnay Charente | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
77 | Rochefort | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Suggestions for cruises from Cognac
Week-end
Cognac – Saintes – Cognac : 69 km, 4 locks, 10 hours
Mini Week
Cognac – St Savinien – Cognac : 112 km, 4 locks, 20 hours
One Week
Cognac – Angoulême – Cognac : 118 km. 36 locks, 28 hours
Two Weeks
Cognac – Angoulême – Cognac – St Savinien – Cognac : 230 km, 40 locks, 48 hours