The Charente with Locaboat

Locaboat self-drive boats on the Charente 

Base at Saintes: Charente River

The Charente River's meandering path is navigable for 147 kilometres from Agouleme to the Atlantic Ocean. The 21 manual locks leading to Saint Savinien have made the river extraordinarily tranquil and provide a beautiful environment for exploring the region's traditional white-stone villages and vineyards.

The waterway was historically vital to the trade of salt, brandy, and paper via traditional barges called 'gabarres'.

The vibrant town of Saintes has a well-preserved arena, a remnant of its rich Gallo-Roman past. Spend time exploring the historic Abbaye aux Dames, a superb specimen of Romanesque art dating from 1047 A.D.

Along the Charente River, beautiful churches and charming villages with tiled roofs can be found. Visits to Saint Savinien, Chaniers, Bourg Charente, and Saint Simon—once a busy Gabarre harbour—are highly recommended.

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One-week cruises from Saintes

• Saintes, Jarnac, Saint Simon, Cognac and return
  Cruise distance 122km (75.81 miles), 18 locks, 21 hours of cruising

• Saintes, Saint-Savinien, Cognac, Saint Simon and return
  Cruise distance 167km (103.77 miles), 18 locks, 25:30 hours of cruising

10 or 11-day cruise

• Saintes, Cognac, Angoulême, Jarnac and return
  Cruise distance 188km (116.82 miles), 40 locks, 32 hours of cruising

Two-week cruises14

• Saintes, Saint Savinien, Cognac, Angoulême, Jarnac and return
  Cruise distance 230km (142.92 miles), 40 locks, 32 hours of cruising

Mini week cruise

• Saintes, Cognac, Jarnac and return
  Cruise distance 92km (57.17 miles), 8 locks, 13 hours of cruising