The Charente river runs through the centre of Cognac and is at its most pleasant on foot. The riverside path extends east and west from the old town, passing the Hennessy warehouses and the Martell chais, all dark with the ageing fungus. In summer the quays are lined with café tables and the occasional festival. A walking route crosses the river on the old bridge and continues to a viewpoint above the opposite bank.
Boat trips on the Charente are available from the quay near the Hennessy pier in summer — a relaxing way to see the distilleries and warehouses from the water. Canoes and kayaks can also be rented for exploring a few kilometres upriver, through the poplar-lined water meadows outside town.