Hi. Does anyone know anything about boating on the North Charente Lakes? We've just bought a day boat and would like to put it on the lakes first to learn the ropes etc. Is it easy to launch at the lakes, ie do they have a good slipway? And do I need to "book" in advance?

Do you mean the Lakes of the Haute Charente?-there is a concrete slipway beside the Barrage de Lavaud.Approached from the carpark by the motor homes area. There are no barriers,so it appears to be public and unrestricted.
As far as I'm aware,there is no slip on the other lake (Mas Chaban), I originally thought it was a slipway by the Cote du Boeuf resto but no, it,s barriered and for use to drop the pedalos etc into the water.Opposite there is the base nautique,beside the Soleil Couchante pub, but theuy have just catamarans and sailboards, no apparemnt slipway.

Hya
Just to say many thanks for taking the time and trouble to reply. Really helpful and I'll give it a go.

Don't forget to look at the map of the lake though, as the far end from the campsite is nature reserve so no boats are allowed, and certainly no boats with motors are allowed on the lake apart from the passenger boat at the Club Nautique.

You're welcome- apologies for the few spelling mistakes,I'm no typist!

I assumed from "dayboat" that you mean a sailing boat--as frenchbuilders says, NO motor boats are allowed on the lakes, and no auxiliary motors on sailing boats, (thank God,it stays mostly peaceful).

There is a slip or launching area on Mas Chaban on the opposite side to Lessignac around 200 metres from the barrage. Look for the picnic area sign.

As other have said; first check the Plan D'Eau for information on where you can and where you cannot use your boat and / or engine on Lavaud and Mas Chaban. You can get a good map showing the areas of permitted leisure activities from Tourist Information Offices.

Just to add to a previous post; I have seen small boats being powered by electric motors on Mas Chaban. I do not know whether this is allowed or not. Just an observation.