A Neolithic dugout canoe almost six metres long takes you deep into Charente’s history: it was found in the River Charente near Bourg-Charente and is kept at the Maison du négociant – Musée d’art et d’histoire. The museum also displays traditional everyday objects from Charente, particularly from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Here, a prehistoric find meets evidence of everyday life in centuries past.
Heritage between craftsmanship and everyday history
Those interested in how Cognac is made can explore regional history from a different perspective at the Musée des savoir-faire du cognac. Covering 2,000 square metres, the exhibition explores work in the vineyards, distillation, and the origins and spread of Cognac. Hennessy visits in Cognac focus on the house’s heritage, traditional expertise, historic cellars and vineyards. In Angoulême, Chais Magelis offers a distinctive experience, with a unique collection of comic book pages and major temporary exhibitions.
The region’s architectural history also reveals a range of different facets. Bassac Abbey is a monastic complex dating from the 11th century; its cloister and gardens overlook the Guirlande. The essacs of Mosnac-Saint-Simeux are traditional eel fisheries that reflect the preservation of riverside knowledge. The Villages de Pierres et de Vignes label brings together Bassac, Bourg-Charente, Lignières-Ambleville and Mosnac-Saint-Simeux for their wine-growing and architectural heritage.
Archaeological sites and historic landscapes
At the Bouchauds archaeological site near Saint-Cybardeaux, a sanctuary and a Gallo-Roman theatre are among the key discoveries. The theatre is one of the largest in France and could hold 7,000 spectators. The hill is also a protected Natura 2000 nature site. The archaeological site is open free of charge all year round, although it may occasionally close. At Cassinomagus, guided tours explore the Gallo-Roman baths; tour dates may vary by season.
Ponds, trails and waterside experiences
The Guizengeard and Touvérac sites are known for their ponds and comprise a mosaic of habitats with ecological value. Discovery trails and visitor facilities complement these natural areas. As facilities and access arrangements may change, check the latest information before your visit. At the Haute-Charente lakes, you can swim, go boating and fishing, hike and watch birds, with activities both on the water and on land to choose from.
Charente offers hiking routes linked to GR4, GR36 and GR48. Cyclists can also choose from a range of routes: 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. These routes offer different ways to add activity to your stay, without forming a single continuous route or a set day itinerary.
You can go canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding on the River Charente, or take a boat trip. River cruises depart from AngoulĂŞme, Jarnac, Saint-Simon and Cognac. On navigable stretches of the river, you can also travel by houseboat without a licence. The waterside options range from a guided trip to travelling under your own steam; the licence-free option applies to the navigable stretches described here.
A culinary discovery
The Cornuelle is a triangular aniseed biscuit from Villebois-Lavalette. Its distinctive shape and anise flavour make it a specific culinary highlight of Charente, alongside the museums, historic buildings and landscapes that shape a visit.
Discover more destinations: Abzac, Brossac, Garat, Lessac, Rouillac, Salles-Lavalette, Sers, Saint Preuil, Villars, Saint-Yrieix-Sur-Charente, 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, Saint-Saturnin, Le Grand-Madieu, La Péruse, Brigueuil, Ventouse, Courcôme, Blanzaguet-Saint-Cybard, Nonac, Bors, Montignac-Charente, Chillac, Parzac, Touvre, Julienne, Champmillon, Cellefrouin, Bellon, Montrollet, Condac, Brie-sous-Chalais, Bernac, Saulgond, Mainxe, Mouzon, Champagne-Mouton, 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, Salles-d'Angles
For the broader travel overview: Poitou Charentes.
