Cruising in Poitou Charentes - Cruise Map and Places to Visit

Suggested Routes

Your cruise will start and finish in Sireuil. For one week cruises head west to St Savinien. Two week cruises allow you to head east to Angoulême first before returning and cruising as far as Rochefort.

Note: The locks on this river are manual so you are not restricted by timings.

Places to visit along the way:

Angoulême

Angoulême is a historic city set on a hill above the Charente, with rampart walks and a steep public garden leading down to the river. The city centre is largely pedestrianised and you'll find a great choice of shops and restaurants. There's a museum of animation for those interested in French cartoons, and for chocoholics the Letuffe factory at Trois Palis, just west of Angoulême, is open to visitors.

Jarnac

Jarnac is the smaller of the two main brandy towns which grew up beside the river centuries ago when the barrels were transported from the cellars by barge. The Courvoisier distillery and a number of others are based here and offer informative tours, complete with tastings. There are also guided tours of the town which has the Château de Courvoisier, a 13thC church crypt and a market of fresh local produce.

Cognac

Cognac, the more famous of the two brandy centres offers plenty of opportunities to tour a distillery - there are at least 5 main brandy houses in the centre of town. Or you could visit the château where François I was born in 1494 - now the headquarters of a brandy company - some of the walls are 800 years old. There are shops and restaurants near the river landing stage and a daily market is held in the town.

Saintes

Saintes is an old Roman town with a museum of archaeology, one of the oldest remaining amphitheatres and Roman baths. There are a number of restaurants, including some near the river, and a pedestrian shopping street and daily market.

St Savinien

St Savinien is one of the most picturesque towns in the region, sited on a bend of the river. The port was first established in the 13thC when barge shipyards were built on the river banks. You'll find many historic monuments including churches, abbey ruins and a medieval marketplace amongst the narrow winding streets. Children will love the miniature port and activity area, with electric-powered replica boats as well as pool, tennis, mini golf and picnic area.