The Fluviale Cruise

Jarnac > Angoul�me > Jarnac

Explore the village of Bassac and its remarkable 1,000 year old abbey. Discover some of the finest Romanesque art in the region at the church of Saint-Pierre in Châteauneuf-sur-Charente. Cruise on to Mosnac and admire a gleaming collection of vintage cars. Pick up some tasty chocolates in Trois-Palis - a chocoholics heaven and enjoy a tasting at the town’s chocolate factory.

Stop at Saint-Simeux – a former eelfarming centre in the Middle Ages and visit Saint Simon, the former heart of the region’s boatbuilding industry and where the local ‘gabares’– flat-bottomed sailing barges originally used for shipping barrels of cognac – are still used today for tourist trips on the river.

The 12th century Cathédrale St-Pierre dominates the thriving city of Angoulême; walk the ramparts for spectacular views over the Charente valley. France’s only museum dedicated to cartoons - The Centre National de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image can also be found here, alongside paper mills that still use 18th century techniques today.

Distance: 88 km
Cruising Time: 22 hrs
Locks: 30
Return Trip

Jarnac > Angoul�me > Jarnac

Jarnac

Home to our base and an elegant town, worth visiting at the beginning or end of your cruise. This is an important cognac town and the headquarters of Courvoisier, one of the most famous brands of Cognac.

Ch�teauneuf

Nice and shady mooring. Only place with a supermarket between Angoul�me and Jarnac

Angoul�me

Angoul�me is the principal city of the Charente. The city is encircled by Ramparts, offering fine views in all directions. The "old town" has been preserved, maintained and largely pedestrianised, and is now a charming cobbled restaurant quarter, with some interesting galleries and boutiques.