People who live waterfront and cognac producers working on the river bank since the beginning know how to anticipate and protect them when the Charente owerflows even  for a big one as this past week. Anyway, as water level was increasing hour after hour during 4 days, it was a bit scary.

Since last saturday, level is constantly decreasing and everyone heaved a sigh of relief !  Fortunately, nothing to worry about cognac. Water did not reach the precious barrels and “paradis”. All has been raised and/or moved in others cellars far from the river. 

It’s now time to clean up and repair, a tough job to do. The technical services of Cognac city, Jarnac and Saintes are everywhere all along the days to help and secure. 

Far from this hustle and bustle, cognac is safely ageing in the darkness and silence of the cellars…

L’article One week, feet in water est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

« I can do whatever I want »

The charente does not flow straight to the ocean. First it decides to go towards north, then suddenly makes a hairpin bend towards south and Angoulême where it finally chooses to flow at west. 380 kilometers of curves, meanders and small branches. 40 tributaries join its during this travel to atlantic ocean.

Many bridges cross the river Charente, small stone nice bridges, some of them specially narrow for car traffic as in Vibrac, or the most big one in Rochefort.

Bridges of Vibrac

Front of Bassac Abbey

The « passerelle » to join  Comics Museum to the heart of the city in Angoulême

Locks are numerous in the navigable part of the Charente.

Juac lock

And an old kind of mini-mini ferry, the only one remaining in France, manually operated ! (only available in july and august)

The estuary of Charente is large enough as the cargos come to Rochefort Harbour.

The « pont transbordeur », a classified brigde dated from 1900, is now in a process of being restored. In the past time it allowed to cross from one bank to the other without hindering shipping traffic. A gondola, suspended from a trolley running on rails, travelled back and forth. Only used by cyclists, foot passengers, tourists  nowadays, it is the only remaining bridge with gondola in France.

During this renovation time, we can visit and discover the story and steps of work in Maison du Transbordeur nearby.

Past winter, the flood without any damage, gave the opportunity to take some unusual pictures, as here in Jarnac and Bourg Charente.

An economic link since many centuries

At the beginning, Charente was one the major trade path : paper from Angoulême, salt from Re Island cannons for vessels built in Rochefort, were loaded on boats called « gabarre ».

And evidently, the river has been the first and important mean of transport for cognac. Barrels were loaded on wharfs of Jarnac and Cognac directly on board towards Rochefort harbour, and then boarded on big sail vessels to cross oceans.

Vestige of a paper fabric in Angoulême

The Rochefort harbour front of the Corderie Royale

The replica of the famous Hermione Ship

Jarnac river bank today the « quai de l’Orangerie »

Courvoisier, during january flood. Charente stopped just under the wharf… 

A new story

As containers, trucks and railway replace the « gabarre » the river felt asleep, and the river banks too for a while. And as the sleeping beauty, Charente is coming back with the green tourism and developpment of river cruises. The « flow velo » allowed to follow the river on many kilometers by bicycle. Hiking paths, canoe, paddle, fishing, many activities are possible respecting the nature and the river.

Crossing Saintes city on board

Cognac harbour and Quais Hennessy

The path of watchers, in Rochefort

Resting and lunch time…

The occasion to see some nice hidden properties

watch to the small  inhabitants of the river

and the numerous species of flora.

Charente river is a perfect example of slowlife attitude, and a stress free oasis. So, when are you coming ?

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Usually the climate is particularly mild in cognac land, due to the atlantic ocean and to its situation in south west France.

The past year has been totally impredictable :

First a mild (too?) winter, except few days in january

Frost came suddenly  … on end of april, when the first small leaves and buds were out. A very rare and awful event fore winegrowers.

The day after…

About 10 % of the cognac vineyards did not produce any grape this year or in very small quantities.  Fortunately,  it has been an interessant harvest for the remaining 90 %.

Then summer has been hot and dry.

No rain in october and november, the moment for the water tables to fill up for the next spring and summer. It has been one of the most dry year since 40 years until… end december !

As the small rivers and the Charente received so much rain, they spread out on the banks, ,quite at the same level.

Thus, we get moving landscape, with some small  short-lived lakes, trees with roots in water, such as vines, roads disappeared under water.

The quiet Charente looks like a mountain stream !

Boots are highly recommended to walk along vineyards and and food paths.

As we were in water deficit, we’re not going to complain even if this rain causes some temporary inconveniences. It’s good for nature.

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