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Please note all bookings are Saturday to Saturday only!
Short breaks are only available in Season A and B - Contact us to book these.
A Period : 24/03 > 27/04/2007 & 15/09 > 03/11/2007
B Period : 28/04 > 29/06/2007 & 01/09 > 14/09/2007
Map
A map is available - click the thumbnail below to access a larger version.
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Suggested Itineraries
2 DAY WEEK-END
- Sireuil - Bourg Charente and return : 30 km, 11 locks
- Tourist Attractions - Distillery of Cognac, Pineau des Charentes tasting
MINI WEEK
- Sireuil - Chaniers and return : 65 km,14 locks
- Tourist Attractions - Distillery in Graves, Jarnac, Cognac. Architecture : Churches, Bassac abbey, Jarnac cript, old village " Gabarier":old barges in St Simon. Jarnac graveyard.
1 WEEK
- Sireuil - St Savinien and return : 98 km, 15 locks
- Tourist Attractions - See above + Saintes : Gallo_Roman remains, the town and its museums.
10 DAYS
- Sireuil - Rochefort and return : 140 km, 16 locks
- Tourist Attractions - Rochefort : la Corderie Royale, the town.
2 WEEKS
- Sireuil - Rochefort - Sireuil - Angoulême and return : 157 km, 21 locks
- Tourist Attractions - Paper Mill of Fleurac, chocolate factory Letuffe, Angoulême and its museums, old town and architecture, its cathedral, its old lanes.
Local Information
CHARENTE
The Charente region is a very diverse region, with fortified cities, islands, beaches, wetland (Marais Poitevin), and vineyards. In Poitou Charentes, today an official region, a variety of kingdoms, cultures, and influences come together.
WATERWAYS
The Charente is the main waterway of this region. Paper mills were the main industry for centuries in Charente and paper was among the products that would once have been carried by sailing barge down the Charente to the sea. The leisure aspect of the river is a relatively recent idea. In fact, for 4,500 years, commercial barges held sway on the waters until the start of this century. The Charente was the main thoroughfare and life was conducted around the traffic it brought. The most important cargo on the river was Cognac (Brandy). The reason that Charentais wine was distilled was so that it would be easier to export by boat and most of the important producers have their storehouses near the banks of the river.
TOURISM
Angoulême - The city has many Romanesque buildings, including the Cathedral of Saint Pierre (built 1105-28).
Poitiers - The city's long history can be seen in the Roman baths and amphitheaters, the Baptistery of Saint John (4th-12th century), the Cathedral of Saint Pierre (12th-14th century), and the palace of the counts of Poitou. The University of Poitiers was founded in 1431.
La Rochelle - Located on the Bay of Biscay, it is an important Atlantic coast fishing port and a popular summer resort. The old section of the city contains the 16th-century town hall and 14th-century towers guarding the harbor entrance.
FOOD & DRINK
The vineyards of the valley of Charente are famous for its production of cognac brandy. Although production extends into Charente-Maritime and Deux-Sevres, it is concentrated twenty miles around Cognac and Jarnac. Alocal way to drink cognac is Le Pineau des Charentes; cognac and grape juice.
Local edible specialities include :
Seafood - Oysters, mussels.
Fricassee d’anguilles - Eel with garlic and cognac.
Soupe aux moules - Mussel soup
Jambon de Vendee aux mogettes - Ham with white beans from the marsh
Goat cheeses - Chabichou du Poitou, Mothais-sur-feuille, Saint-Maure
Tarte aux pruneaux - prune pie
Top - Map - Suggested Itineraries - Info - Location
Location Information
Situated 30 km from Cahors and 60 km north of Montauban. Access by the motorway des Deux Mers (Montauban exit - between Toulouse and Agen)
Top - Map - Suggested Itineraries - Info - Location
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