Charente, Administrative department in southwestern France
Charente is a department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France, named after the river that runs through its center. The river divides the territory into several natural landscapes, ranging from gentle hills to flat plains and wooded valleys that create a varied relief.
The territory formed in 1790 during the French Revolution from parts of the old provinces of Angoumois and Saintonge. Angoulême was chosen as the administrative center and has remained the seat of the prefecture ever since.
The department maintains strong agricultural traditions, particularly in wine production, with numerous vineyards contributing to the creation of cognac spirits.
The department is divided into three districts headquartered in Angoulême, Cognac and Confolens, each handling local administrative tasks. Visitors find small towns and larger cities throughout the area, well connected by roads and country lanes.
The river was an important trade route in the 18th century for paper goods and iron products. Flat-bottomed boats carried cargo down to the coast before railways replaced most waterway traffic.
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Château de La Rochefoucauld
10.3 km
Rochechouart crater
35 km
Angoulême Cathedral
24.9 km
Château de la Mercerie
37.6 km
Église monolithe Saint-Jean
63.7 km
Château d'Escoire
80.5 km
Abbaye Saint-Pierre et Saint-Sicaire
57.6 km
Château de Verteuil
18.4 km
Château de Chalais
66.4 km
Castle of Cognac
53.7 km
Château de Montbrun
49.1 km
Church of Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay
57.4 km
GR 36
37.3 km
Château de Rochechouart
37.7 km
Château de Dampierre-sur-Boutonne
63.6 km
CNBDI
24.6 km
Thermes de Chassenon
34 km
Château de Bourdeilles
60.2 km
Château de Villebois-Lavalette
39.1 km
Les Antilles de Jonzac
73.7 kmGrotte des Perrats
4.7 km
Hôtel de Ville, Angoulême
24.8 km
Angeac-Charente bonebed
38.9 km
Château de Puyguilhem
55.5 km
Auvézère
81.3 km
Gallo-Roman theatre at Les Bouchauds
27 km
Lake of Lavaud
28.6 km
Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure National Cemetery and Memorial
8.3 km
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