The lower part of the brandy region lying near the ocean is known as the Department of the Charente Inferieure. The chief city of this Department is La Rochelle, a town of 29,000 inhabitants. It was at first built upon a small rock, whence its name. On account of its maritime importance it early assumed a position of considerable value, both in regard to commerce and the protection of the coast. It naturally became the scene of many bloody and long-continued sieges and conflicts. It was a region which was principally Protestant in its religious views, and upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes a large part of the population moved to Canada. It is a town which preserves to a large extent its aspect of former years, its forts and ditches being well preserved. The importance of La Rochelle as a maritime port has been somewhat diminished with the growth of more suitably situated cities, such as Nantes and Bordeaux, which are better able to handle a large volume of commerce. There has recently been an improvement in the maritime activities of La Rochelle by the building of a new bridge to La Pallice which is joined with La Rochelle by a tramway. La Pallice has an admirable harbor and the construction of this port will doubtless do much to restore the maritime importance of the city.

The next most important place in the Charente Inferieure is Saintes. This town is situated on the river Charentes and has many remains of the Roman invasion. The amphitheater which the Romans built there was capable of holding from 20,000 to 22,000 spectators. At the present time Saintes is the center of the agricultural region of great prosperity and is also the market for large quantities of brandy.

The brandies which are produced in the Charente Inferieure as is well known, are not so highly prized as those which are produced in the Charente.

The largest city of the Charente Inferieure is Rochefort. It is one of the five great maritime ports of France. It is a town of 34,000 inhabitants and has a large commercial and industrial population.

Another important town of the Charente Inferieure in regard to the production of brandy is Jonzac. It is a picturesque although small city and is engaged almost exclusively in the production of wine, brandy, and building stone.