The River Charente is a languidly meandering waterway with its own unique charms. Once decreed by no higher authority than French monarch François I as 'the most beautiful stream in the kingdom', La Charente snakes its way through some of south-west France's most ancient counties. It is also where visitors to this enchanting corner of the country can find one of the region's loveliest campsites, Camp Laurent.
When expat Tracey and Pete first laid eyes on the Poitou-Charente, it was love at first sight. Setting up camp (quite literally) in the summer of 2013, Their vision was of a tranquil retreat– easily achievable due to the adult's only admittance policy.
Nestled in eight unspoilt acres just outside the sleepy village of St-Laurent-de-Ceris, Camp Laurent has ample room for just 10 emplacements all with electric hook-ups. The pitches overlook the river and valley below, while butterflies, rabbits and the odd roe deer dominate the scene. Facilities are more than adequate with wet-room style bathrooms featuring hot-showers, modern toilets, laundry and a washing-up adjacent to the 200-year old stone barn. With the river on your doorstep, you could be forgiven for neglecting the brand new, open-air, wood-panelled pool – just the ticket for cooling off in France's second sunniest region.
With the ever changing levels of our river in recent times, fishing and canoeing are only available when conditions allow. the campsite boasts 400 metres of tranquil waterside frontage. It still makes an ideal base to fish the Charente's abundant trout, pike, perch and eels. You can still dip your toes in for a lazy paddle, while cruise boats can be taken in more capaciously fluvial sections upstream – a great way to explore the idyllic nearby towns and villages. You'll take in such famous names as Angoulême, Saint-Savinien, and Cognac – yes, the very same. Just be sure to appoint a designated skipper for the return leg.