The Western Centre of France
The department of Charente falls under the western center of France, between the Atlantique coast and the Massif Central, between the threshold of Poitou and the north of the Aquitanian basin.
The North-East of the department are the “cold lands”, granitic grounds forming the base of Confolentais, country of the woodlands, and everywhere else are the “hot lands”, grounds made of rather dry. limestones.
The relief is accentuated little. The climax is to 345 m, at the Massif de l’Arbre.
It is crossed by the Charente river, which has a 230 km long course, slow and not very tilted.
Products of exception
Agriculture is always present. The bovine breeding and the culture of wheat hold an important place. Truffle, chicken of Barbezieux, ostrich, snail, oak cheese, duck and its foie gras are also significant productions whose several saw their quality recognized by a AOC.
The vineyard is primarily located around Cognac. Its terroir, with its five vintages including Grande Champagne, is one of the most famous in the world.
In addition to the cognac, each one will be able to appreciate the pineau des Charentes, the local wine and… the vinegar!
In Charente Maritime, the littoral is partly marshy: marsh poitevin, marsh of Rochefort and Brouage. There, one finds ostreiculture (Marenne oyster), mytiliculture, and sea fishing (La Rochelle).
A very sunny climate
The climate is of oceanic type Aquitanian.
It is characterized by regular temperatures, seldom very low. Winters are soft. Summers are dry and sunny.
Cognaçais area profits from the most lenient climate of the department with a strong sunning (2025 hours a year) and thus is almost as sunny as the area of Perpignan from April to September. This climatic characteristic makes of it the sunniest zone of the Atlantic arc with La Rochelle where sunning is often compared with that of the Riviera.
A land to discover
With these climatic conditions several other factors have to be considered such as the architectural richness, the great diversity of monuments, landscapes, the quality of the regional products and the associated gastronomy, the Charente-native welcoming, the softness of living, and now easy access (motorways, TGV, airports) to make of Charente a more and more appreciated place for holiday or short stay throughout the year.
