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Aquatics

The hot climate – from March onwards – and the numerous natural lakes provide you with a lot of a aquatic pleasure. There are many lakes close to our domain and along every path: Lac de Montrollet, Lac Mas chaban, Lac de lavaud (400 ha) … Besides the lakes there are also rivers like the river Vienne, the river Issoire and the river Marchadaine.

Thus, there are sufficient possibilities to enjoy a picnic and to lie in the sun, to swim, to fish, to row, to kayak, to sail and to windsurf. Underneath you can find the necessary information.

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Kajak & rafting

The river Vienne is the place to be for kayaking, canoeing or rafting. During the summer, the river levels up to category 2 to 3, so everyone can enjoy a nice swim under the hot climate. The river Vienne glides through a fantastic landscape and passes a number of beautiful cities and mills such as Le Moulin d’assit near Manot.

At a half hours’ drive from our domain, you also have the river Charente. You can follow a route of 90 kilometres through the landscape of Ruffecois, starting at the kayak club in Mansle.  The river Charente flows along dozens of islands and other watercourses, castles, mills, houses in the landscape, fisheries, …

Along the river there are more kayak clubs, such as the ones in Cognac, Jarnac, Aviron, Gondeville, Condac, Vibrac, Saint-Simeux, Montignec, … This makes it possible to also follow smaller routes.

Les gabarres et les pénichettes

With a total length of 361 kilometres, the river Charente is navigable over 170 kilometres from Angouleme to Rochefort, along numerous picturesque Gallo-Roman cities and a breathtaking landscape.

You can participate in this unique experience by going on a guided boat trip in a gabarre over the river Charente. The river Charente has been the most important connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the hinterland since the Roman era. Les gabarres were boats, which they used in the 18th century for the transport of goods and other equipment over the river Charente. Typical of these boats and their wealthy history are the flat bottom and shallow draught. Thus, it is an unique chance to travel on this astonishing route from the wonderful cities of Cognac, Saintes, Jarnac or Saint-Simon.

But for those who like to run their own show, there is the possibility to play the captain over a boat of 6 to 12 people.  The sailing of these pénichettes is a real piece of cake, you don’t need any navigation licence.

Diving, sailing,  kiting and windsurfing----

For kite surfers, windsurfers or sailors, the Atlantic Ocean is only at a half hours’ drive of Le Moulin de Douzy. For those who love to kite, windsurf or sail on still water, the lakes of the Haute Charente in Lavaud and Mas Chaban are only at a half hours’ drive of our domain.

Together with other lakes in the area, these two gigantic lakes offer divers a range of possibilities to live it up.

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