The most beautiful walks in Charente along the water

Welcome to Charente, a verdant region that offers beautiful waterfront walks. Rising from Chéronnac in the Haute-Vienne region, the Charente is a river that runs for 381.4 km, 224 km of which is in Charente, offering some superb excursions. Ready for a beautiful walk? There's no shortage of destinations with the Charente guide!

Follow the Charente between towns and villages

Angoulême, Cognac and Jarnac, the Charente crosses many towns and villages to the delight of nature lovers who can observe the fauna and flora during their walk.

The circuit along the banks of the Charente in Angoulême

Enjoy a stay in the capital of comics to experience a refreshing moment by the water. Crossed by the Charente and magnificent to visit, Angoulême offers a pleasant shaded walk of 11km (allow 3 hours of walking) with a pretty view of the river, the discovery of a rich architectural heritage and panoramas of the vineyard.

A loop via Châteauneuf-sur-Charente

Another walk is available less than 30 minutes from Angoulême, a pretty loop of almost 9km which runs along the banks of the Charente (allow 2h30 for the walk). Accessible on foot or by bike, it offers magnificent landscapes with a view of the vineyards, Mattard Island and Malvy Island. Bring your picnic, tables are set up along the water.

The banks of the Charente via Fléac and Linars

This is a loop that is very popular for its calm and low traffic. Pleasant for walking along the water, it extends over 11km, or nearly 3 hours of walking, ideal for a beautiful hike or for practicing running. The Fleurac lock and the Basseau lock are the points of interest of this route, allowing boaters to navigate on the river.

A visit to the historic center of Cognac

Just like Angoulême, Cognac is crossed by the Charente River with pretty banks for walking. Discovering the historic center of the city takes you to the Récollets convent, the Verdelin Hotel, the priory space but also along the Charente for a pleasant outing along the water. Many joggers enjoy this easy 2.3km route which can be completed in 30 minutes on foot.

Bourg-Charente to Jarnac along the Charente

This nearly 10km, shaded loop is a peaceful walk along the riverbanks, connecting Jarnac and Bourg-Charente in a 2-hour 15-minute walk. Accessible in all seasons, it is often used by joggers who enjoy passing in front of the Bourg-Charente castle overlooking the river (currently closed).

The loop of the castle of Verteuil-sur-Charente

This route is very easy to access for a 1h45 walk starting from a pretty medieval village. Follow the river to see a water mill, but also the beautiful royal castle of the 11th ^century which dominates Verteuil-sur-Charente. The good idea is to stroll around the market on Saturday morning to be able to picnic on the banks of the Charente after a nice walk around the castle.

Glide along the Charente during a boat cruise

Another way to discover the beauty of the Charente is to climb aboard a boat, often an old gabare, a traditional ship used to transport goods. Once settled in your seat, let yourself be told the history of the region to discover the secrets of a rich architectural and historical heritage. On both sides of the boat, the landscapes pass by between tree-lined banks, green countryside and Charente vineyards, a mosaic of color that will make for sublime photos. Most cruises correspond to a few hours of guided getaway, but you can also opt for longer cruises of a few days punctuated by gourmet stops, visits to castles or even sunsets, a magical moment to experience on the Charente.

Angoulême, Cognac, Sireuil, Jarnac… There are multiple cruise departures depending on your desires !

Go canoeing on the Charente

Take your time to discover the Charente! In the summer, you will have the opportunity to glide along the water aboard a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or pedal boat. Fun and sporty, these activities allow you to admire the picturesque landscapes of the Charente, observe the fauna and flora and why not take picnic breaks or swimming stops depending on the selected route. Dip your paddle into the calm waters to appreciate the serenity of nature, the routes are adapted to your desires and your energy to enjoy the pleasures of a getaway. For a few hours or for several days, rent your favorite boat and let yourself be surprised by the beauty of the Charente ! Here again, there are multiple departures between Angoulême, Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, Fléac, Jarnac or even Cognac.

On foot, by bike, by boat or by canoe, take the most beautiful walks in Charente along the water!

Did you like our article? Find more in our " Experiences to Live " section . Also find us on the Facebook page of the Guide de la Charente and on our Instagram account @guidedelacharente