Villages of Stones and Vines

Scattered around Cognac, the “villages de pierre et de vignes” are some of the Charente’s quiet treasures — places where golden stone houses, vineyards and riverside life shape a gentle French art de vivre.

In Bourg-Charente, life flows at the pace of the river. With its historic bridge, old merchant houses and Cognac cellars lining the Charente, it’s a perfect spot for a stroll, a café stop or watching boats drift by.

Just downstream, Mosnac-Saint-Simeux charms visitors with its riverside paths, traditional washhouses and peaceful atmosphere — ideal for combining a village walk with a gentle riverside wander.

Further inland, surrounded by vines, Bassac is steeped in history. Its abbey, founded in the 11th century, is a reminder of the region’s deep cultural roots, while nearby vineyards tell the story of centuries of Cognac production.

Nearby Lignières-Ambleville feels wonderfully rural, with stone farmhouses, small lanes and uninterrupted views across the vines — the kind of place where time slows and local life feels untouched.

These villages are best discovered slowly: a walk through the lanes, a chat with a winemaker, a tasting at a small Cognac house or a long lunch enjoyed outdoors. Together, they capture the essence of the Charente — authentic, welcoming and quietly beautiful.

Traditional eel traps on the river Charente