COGNAC - SAINTES Departure: Quai de la Salle Verte in Cognac Arrival: Rue de la Gare in Châteauneuf Time : 2h31 - Distance: 37.83 km On the way to the Roman and Romanesque Saintonge From Cognac, follow first the Charente before you move a little further and reach the town of Merpins, where the remains of an abbey and a castle that controlled the passage to Cognac remain. Without really realizing it (except with the signage maybe), because the Charente River remains your common thread, you will soon arrive in Charente-Maritime and will not be able to do otherwise than stop at the Port Du Lys in Salignac-sur-Charente to admire the breathtaking view of the Charente and the boats. Continue the route and cross the countryside with villages and hamlets. A few kilometres after Saint-Sever-de-saintonge, you will find the Charente at your side, difficult to get closer! Pay attention, before turning 90° to ride back to La Charente, it is possible to borrow a chain ferry (open in season) to cross the Charente and make a stop in the village of Chaniers. The opportunity to see the site of the «Moulin de la Baine» with its restaurant and river cruises. A quick round trip and it’s back again, towards the finish this time! And here you are: Saintes, a city of human size, rocked by the Charente and where life is good. Proud of its past of more than 2000 years of history, it knows how to value the remains of the Gallo-Roman era: Germanicus arch, amphitheatre, archaeological museum... The Abbaye-aux-Dames promises an unusual moment of discovery around music with the carousel Basilik. And if you have the chance to go there as soon as the sunny days arrive, you will see that we like to stroll along the banks of the Charente. Sunday walk around the public garden, lunch or dinner aboard the houseboat, the river Charente cradles the daily life of Saintais.