Charente is a department in southwestern France, set in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Its prefecture is Angoulême, and the department is best known as the heart of Cognac production, with the brandy's distilleries in the town of Cognac and the surrounding vineyards.
What the visit offers
- Cognac and its vineyards: the town of Cognac and the countryside around it are the reason many visitors come, with the distilleries and vines that give the spirit its name.
- Rolling countryside: much of the department is gentle farmland and vineyard, suited to slow drives and walks between villages.
- Historic towns: the department is dotted with old towns, and Angoulême, the prefecture, is a natural base for exploring them.
- The Charente River: the river that gives the department its name flows through the region, and its banks make a quiet counterpoint to the towns.
Planning a trip
Charente suits a visit built around food, drink and unhurried days rather than a checklist of sights. Cognac is an easy centre for distillery visits, while Angoulême offers a larger town to stay in and a base for day trips into the countryside. Opening times and tour arrangements vary, so check with individual producers and towns before you travel.
