Boating vacations in Charente
About Charente
Find yourself spellbound on the shimmering Charente River
A river of incredibly clear water lined with pines, vineyards and meadows, the Charente is amongst the prettiest waterways for canal boat holidays in France! Long known for its Cognac, gracious châteaux and friendly people, the valley opens its arms to you, inviting you to savour a leisurely journey on a river that looks as beautiful as it did many centuries ago.
Charente map
= Le Boat Base 
= Canal 
= Navigable river 
= No navigation beyond this point
The perfect boating region for...
Nature Lovers
Meandering at a slow and easy pace through the valley, the Charente River is rural enough to support all kinds of wildlife. You’ll especially love the birds — herons, kingfishers, ducks, swans, hawks and others.
History & Heritage
The rich history and heritage of the Charente Valley constantly surrounds you. The ramparts of St. Pierre Cathedral in Angoulême soar high. You’ll enjoy the Rochefort Maritime Museum in Rochefort and the Archaeology Museum in Saintes.
Wine Tasting
Whilst you're in Charente, take a tour of Courvoisier’s Cognac factory in Cognac, and then visit the Musée des Arts du Cognac. The Good Food and Wine Festival held every August in St. Savinien could also be part of your wine tasting cruise.
Fishing
Charente angling holidays are a favourite amongst many! Carp, pike, bream, roach, chub and black bass are all present in the river. The fishing is great in Jarnac, especially for roach. Stroll half a kilometer from the quay to a great spot for a fishing picnic.
Family
Take the kids cycling along the shaded towpath and explore pretty Charente villages. For a pleasant outing, hire canoes and kayaks at the watersports base in Angoulême. The town also has a good comic book museum. The kids’ll love gabarre rides at St. Simon.
Useful information
Download our Region Guide
We've produced a handy PDF guide for this region to give you an overview of all the stops and things to do along the waterway.
The Charente River follows its winding course to the Atlantic for 361 kilometres (224 miles). Only 147 kilometres (91 miles) is navigable from Angoulême to the sea. The inland reaches of the river are tamed with a series of locks that create calm lake-like gems ideal for canal boat holidays in France. As you round the next turn, you’ll see pretty châteaux built from the native white and yellow stone of the region, and a medieval village might tempt you to stop for a bite.
Gentle rolling hills punctuate the upper stretches inland from the river’s source in Chéronnac, separating the 10,000-square-kilometer (6,213-square-mile) Charente basin from those of Garonne and Loire. It’s best to view the river as two bodies of water. The inland reaches are easy, but below St. Savinien is a free-flowing tidal river that can show its wild side.
In times past, convoys of flat-bottomed Charentaise gabarres (sailing barges) plied the waters of Charente, carrying salt, produce, wine and cognac to market. Though it was all business, the beauty of the craft complemented the overall natural splendour. King Francis I, who was born in Cognac, is said to have described the waters as “the most beautiful river in my kingdom.” Others say King Henry IV said it, but most bets are on the Cognac native as the true source!
We've partnered up with some of the best local businesses from the towns and villages in the Charente to help you get the most out of your Le Boat holiday.
Discover our range of exclusive offers, only available to Le Boat customers.
The Charente is very easy to navigate all the way to St. Savinien. After that, you run into big Atlantic tides with a range of up to 5 metres (16 feet) and velocities of 4 knots or more. Thus, we do not recommend proceeding past St. Savinien to Rochefort unless you have previous boating experience in tidal waters. Our technicians are also not allowed to intervene in this area due to the area being a maritime section under the authority of a lockkeeper.
Take a look at our waterway and lock closures page to find out if there are any scheduled cruising restrictions that will affect your holiday plans.
There are no lock keepers on the Charente river, and nearly all locks are manual and user-operated. Locks are fun and operation is simple, but we recommend that at least two members of you crew have a good level of fitness. There is one automatic lock at Chaniers with a lockkeeper during the cruising season – open between 08:30 – 19:30.
Couples travelling alone should allow extra time for slower progress and should be mindful that one person will have to operate both gates at each lock by themselves, while the other drives the boat. Most couples choose to wait for another boat, so they can travel through locks together and share the effort required. There are 21 locks above St. Savinien. Should you have any questions or difficulties, Le Boat is at hand to provide you with helpful advice.
Opening hours: Locks are open all day.
The lock hours at St. Savinien are:
April and October: upon request Monday to Saturday 07:45 - 12:00 and 13:30 - 17:00.
May to September: 08:00 - 18:00. The lock closes for lunch between 12:00 - 14:00.
Public holidays: Locks are open on bank holidays.
Moorings are plentiful on the Charente River. A trip to the seaport of Rochefort is well worth the effort. If you don’t want to tangle with the tides, moor at St. Savinien and hop on the train to Rochefort!
- Hire of the boat and its onboard equipment
- A fully equipped kitchen
- Towels and linen for all passengers
- A boat handling demonstration prior to departure
- Technical support
- On-board maps and visitor information
- Passage through locks
- Optional holiday extras
- Boat damage waiver
- Running costs (diesel, gas, engine wear and tear) - charged by the engine hour.
- Travel to and from the base(s)
- Waterside services if you use them (i.e. moorings where a charge is applicable, pump-out if needed, water, etc)
- Cancellation plan & any travel/personal insurance
- Food and drink
Interactive map of the Charente
= Le Boat base 
= Point of interest
Great to see…
Itinerary suggestions
Our boating holidays allow you the freedom to stop when you want and take each day as it comes. However, you might like to be guided by one of our day-by-day suggested itineraries, complete with estimated cruising times and restaurant recommendations. You can follow it religiously or just use it for ideas – whatever 'floats your boat'. Please bear in mind that our itineraries are just suggestions. Cruising times are estimates and access to waterways, attractions and restaurants are all subject to availability at time of cruising.
Route suggestions
To help you get an idea of how far you can travel in the time you have, here's a selection of routes to and from our bases in this region. You dont have to stop at all the places listed or follow the route exactly. So long as you return your boat to your end base by the date you've booked - you're free to enjoy your cruise however you like. For a comfortable pace, allowing you time to regularly stop and explore, we'd recommend an average of 2 - 4 hours cruising each day.
The Arts and History Cruise
Jarnac
Saint-Simon
Châteauneuf-sur-Charente
Trois-Palis
Angoulême
Jarnac
22 hr(s) of cruising
88km 30 locks 7 nightsThe Arts and History Cruise
Jarnac RETURN via Angoulême
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
Head eastward on the River Charente to beautiful villages with cafés, historic sites, museums and eclectic shops. The 1,000-year-old abbey in Bassac and 12th-century St. Pierre Cathedral in Angoulême reflect the rich history of the region, which is always apparent in the narrow streets and the ancient market squares. Charente boating in France ushers you into incredible pastoral beauty.
Top highlights:
- Jarnac's old town and crypt
- Saint-Sigismond in the heart of Saint-Simon
- Spirit tasting in Châteauneuf-sur-Charente
- The fresh 'Chocolaterie Letuffe' in Trois-Palis
- Angoulême's cultural history - be sure to visit the International Centre for Comic Strips and Images!
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:
- Jarnac: Jarnac is a welcoming town. Take time to discover the city and its history and to learn about the powerful Chabot family of barons.
- Saint-Simon: Saint-Simon is a little peaceful town where you will enjoy the fresh air. Downtown, take your time and walk along the winding streets; discover the old church Saint-Sigismond.
- Châteauneuf-sur-Charente: In the heart of an area known for great spirits like Cognac and Pineau, historic Châteauneuf-sur-Charente welcomes you. Visit church Saint-Pierre and dine in one of the fine restaurants downtown.
- Trois-Palis: Trois-Palis is a peaceful town where you will enjoy walking, and perhaps visiting the old Romanesque church, Notre Dame. The old mills have been replaced by a chocolate factory; its shop may be open.
- Angoulême: Also called the 'Wall of the Canal du Midi', Angoulême is a great city which has seen many wars over the centuries; evident in the many fortifications you'll see around town. It is now a charming neighborhood of restaurants, galleries and boutiques. Downtown, discover many monuments like the impressive and marvelous City Hall, which is a former castle.
22 hr(s) of cruising
88km 30 locks 7 nights
The Cognac Cruise
Jarnac
Bourg-Charente
Cognac
Chaniers
Saintes
Saint-Savinien
Port d'Envaux
Jarnac
21 hr(s) of cruising
186km 10 locks 7 nightsThe Cognac Cruise
Jarnac RETURN via St-Savinien
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
A town made prosperous on a rich trading heritage, Jarnac's waterfront is still lined with elegant white houses. Start your cruise here with a trip to one of the town's two large cognac trading houses, before setting off to St-Savinien. Along the way take in the town of Cognac, for yet another cognac tasting perhaps, and the ancient town of Saintes, home to the Germanicus arch dating to 18-19 AD and a Roman arena. When you arrive in St-Savinien you'll discover a picturesque village with a charming church and plenty of activities for the kids - including a lake with model ships!
Top highlights:
- The castle and green gardens of Bourg-Charente
- Fresh brandy tasting in Cognac
- Kayaking in Port d'Envaux
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation
- Jarnac: Jarnac is a welcoming town. Take time to discover the city and its history and to learn about the powerful Chabot family of barons.
- Bourg-Charente: In this quiet yet brilliant place, you will find a natural and pristine town surrounded by vineyards. Downtown, you may discover the beautiful old castle and its green gardens.
- Cognac: Cognac is a dynamic and historic city. Walk the old winding streets lined with timbered houses, and explore the green gardens next to the city hall. Cognac is famous for its delightful brandy, which you can enjoy tasting while you're here.
- Chaniers: Welcome to Chaniers, a pleasant town to stop and visit. You will enjoy visiting the Church of Saint-Pierre, whose foundation dates back to the eleventh century. Take time to walk along the canal banks; they are absolutely beautiful.
- Saintes: Saintes is the second most important city in the area. It's a city full of history with magnificient monuments like the basilica Saint-Eutrop. Enjoy visiting the old pedestrian streets where you will find both good views and good restaurants.
- Port d'Envaux: Along the Rue des Armateurs, some magnificent residences attest to the importance of this small village. You can visit the 13th century Château de Panloy (900m from the mooring) and take a guided tour to view its tapestries, its wood panelling and its hunting gallery. By the river there’s a sandy play area which has a safe area for swimming, as well as refreshments and kayak hire – a nice place for a lunchtime picnic and to while away the afternoon. If you’re feeling fit, it’s worth taking a walk or a cycle to Les Lapidiales, an old quarry located just 1km out of town. Sculptors from all around the world have carved effigies out of the rock.
21 hr(s) of cruising
186km 10 locks 7 nights
The Cognac Short Break
Jarnac
Bourg-Charente
Cognac
Chaniers
Saintes
Jarnac
15 hr(s) of cruising
90km 10 locks 4 nightsThe Cognac Short Break
Jarnac RETURN via Cognac & Saintes
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
Distilleries hum with activity, filling the air with the sounds and aromas that have made the town of Cognac famous for eons. You’re in the heart of beautiful Charente! On the river, lush vineyards, fields ablaze in colorful sunflowers, imposing castles, and picturesque villages create an ever-changing tapestry from your sundeck — the essence of a Charente boat rent in France!
Top highlights:
- Jarnac's old town and crypt
- Walking along the canal banks of Chaniers
- The Basilica of Saint-Eutrope in Saintes
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:
- Jarnac: Jarnac is a welcoming town. Take time to discover the city and its history and to learn about the powerful Chabot family of barons.
- Bourg-Charente: In this quiet yet brilliant place, you will find a natural and pristine town surrounded by vineyards. Downtown, you may discover the beautiful old castle and its green gardens.
- Cognac: Cognac is a dynamic and historic city. Walk the old winding streets lined with timbered houses, and explore the green gardens next to the city hall. Cognac is famous for its delightful brandy, which you can enjoy tasting while you're here.
- Chaniers: Welcome to Chaniers, a pleasant town to stop and visit. You will enjoy visiting the Church of Saint-Pierre, whose foundation dates back to the eleventh century. Take time to walk along the canal banks; they are absolutely beautiful.
- Saintes: Saintes is the second most important city in the area. It's a city full of history with magnificient monuments like the basilica Saint-Eutrop. Enjoy visiting the old pedestrian streets where you will find both good views and good restaurants.
15 hr(s) of cruising
90km 10 locks 4 nights
The Romanesque Cruise
Jarnac
Bourg-Charente
Cognac
Saint-Simon
Châteauneuf-sur-Charente
Jarnac
12 hr(s) of cruising
64km 16 locks 4 nightsThe Romanesque Cruise
Jarnac RETURN via Cognac & Saint-Simon
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
A cruise to and from the pretty town of Jarnac, you'll explore the famous town of Cognac and pretty town of Châteauneuf-sur-Charente. In Cognac try some of the Cognac that has made the town famous at one of the local trading houses. As you walk around the town you'll even notice the roofs and facades are covered in a black fungus resulting from the evaporation alcohol into the air - known poetically as the 'angels taking their share'. In Châteauneuf-sur-Charente you can admire the St. Pierre Church, a jewel of Romanesque architecture, as well as the bathing area of 'Les Bain des Dames'.
Top highlights:
- Jarnac's old town and crypt
- Saint-Sigismond in the heart of Saint-Simon
- Spirit tasting in Châteauneuf-sur-Charente
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:
- Jarnac: Jarnac is a welcoming town. Take time to discover the city and its history and to learn about the powerful Chabot family of barons.
- Bourg-Charente: In this quiet yet brilliant place, you will find a natural and pristine town surrounded by vineyards. Downtown, you may discover the beautiful old castle and its green gardens.
- Cognac: Cognac is a dynamic and historic city. Walk the old winding streets lined with timbered houses, and explore the green gardens next to the city hall. Cognac is famous for its delightful brandy, which you can enjoy tasting while you're here.
- Saint-Simon: Saint-Simon is a little peaceful town where you will enjoy the fresh air. Downtown, take your time and walk along the winding streets; discover the old church Saint-Sigismond.
- Châteauneuf-sur-Charente: In the heart of an area known for great spirits like Cognac and Pineau, historic Châteauneuf-sur-Charente welcomes you. Visit church Saint-Pierre and dine in one of the fine restaurants downtown.
12 hr(s) of cruising
64km 16 locks 4 nights