a city of France, the capital of the former duchy of Angoumois, now the department of Charente, and the see of a bishop. It is seated on the top of a hill, surrounded with rocks, at the foot of which runs the river Charente. The inhabitants are said to be about 8000, and have a considerable trade in paper, which they manufacture. E. Long. o. io. Lat. 45. 39.