Charente, Poitou-Charentes

Crossed by the Charente river and its numerous affluents, the Charente départment offers a wide range of attractions and activities with its landscapes of hills, vineyards, lakes, prairies and woods.

The countryside generally rises from west to east becoming more verdant as it does so.

Properties for sale in the department benefit from close proximity to tourist attractions such as Angouleme, the French capital of the comic strip, and Cognac, world famous for brandy and its Detective film festival, as well as charming villages, castles and churches, the Gallo-Roman site of Chassenon, and rivers and lakes for water sports, there is plenty on offer for visitors.

Cognac and pineau de Charente are two of the major agricultural products. They also produce excellent butter although the Charentaise slipper is the 2nd most well-known product (after cognac).

One of the sunniest parts of France the area is served by TGV from Paris as well as flights from the UK to Angouleme.

The coast is on average within an hour’s drive.
• Cognac - the Cognac Otard tours are well presented in several different languages and situated in the chateau where Francois 1st was born.
• A day out in Angouleme - the Centre National de la Bande Dessinee et de l'image pays homage to the development of French print and film cartoons since 1946.
• Aubeterre-sur-Dronne - the Eglise St-Jean, cut out of the white cliff face, makes a huge impression and served as a cemetery during the Revolution.
• Medieval gardens at Tusson - the gardens here provide an insight into monastic medieval times.