Charente map
The source is Chéronnac and the mouth is Atlantic Ocean.
Navigation on the Charente starts at Angoulême and ends at Rochefort.
The Charente is 381.00 kilometres long (236.74 miles) with a total of 179.00 kilometres of navigable waterway.
There is a total of 22 locks, with an average of 1 lock every 8.14 kilometres (5.06 miles).
The lowest altitude of the of the Charente is 0.00 metres (0′ 0″ ft) above sea level.
We've divided the Charente into the following sections.
From Angoulême to Salignac-sur-Charente
The water draft is 0.80 metres (2′ 7″ ft) and the air draft is 3.55 metres (11′ 8″ ft).
Angoulême to Port-du-Lys
There are "Small" lock types.
Lock length 28.00 metres (91′ 10″ ft)
Lock width 6.35 metres (20′ 10″ ft)
From Salignac-sur-Charente to Rochefort
The water draft is 1.50 metres (4′ 11″ ft) and the air draft is 3.55 metres (11′ 8″ ft).
General lock size
There are "Small" lock types.
Lock length 34.80 metres (114′ 2″ ft)
Lock width 6.30 metres (20′ 8″ ft)
Saint-Savinien lock
This is a "Large" lock.
Lock length 50.00 metres (164′ 1″ ft)
Lock width 8.00 metres (26′ 3″ ft)
Important towns and villages along the Charente
Civray
Montignac‑Charente
Angoulême
Cathedral of Saint‑Pierre
Saint‑Simon
Saint‑Simeux
Roullet‑Saint‑Estèphe
Jarnac
Birthplace of President François Mitterrand
Cognac
Château de Cognac and the famous distilleries
Saintes
Abbaye aux Dames
Roman Amphitheatre
Taillebourg
Saint‑Savinien
Tonnay‑Charente
Rochefort
Corderie Royale and the Naval Arsenal
Soubise
Vergeroux
Historical sites to visit along the Charente
Château de La Rochefoucauld, a beautiful Renaissance castle built in 1520
Château de Bouteville, construction began in the 11th century
Château de Balzac, near Angoulême and once home to Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac
Self-drive boats cruising on the Charente
| Fleet | Cruise route | |
|---|---|---|
| Le Boat | Charente | View the Le Boat boats |
| Nicols by Riverly | Charente River | View the Nicols by Riverly boats |
| France Passion Plaisance | River Charente | View the France Passion Plaisance boats |
| Locaboat by Riverly | Charente | View the Locaboat by Riverly boats |
More details about The Charente region