Cognac Country in Charente - Office de tourisme Châteauneuf sur

Cognac Country in Charente
Tourist Guide
Guide
for Cognac country
This guide invites you to discover
“Cognac country” in a new light.
It combines two different
approaches: on the one hand,
a cultural approach looking at the
heritage of a region rich in historical
remains, and on the other hand,
it takes an original approach to
the “product cognac” and its outlets.
The Tourist Offices of
Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, Cognac,
Jarnac, Rouillac and Segonzac will
give you useful information on how
to find accommodation as well as
the restaurants and other eating
places which will contribute to the
success of your stay in “Cognac
country”!
CHARENTE
Summary
Cognac
2
Around Cognac
5
Châteauneuf
and surrounding area
8
Jarnac and surrounding area
11
Rouillac
and surrounding area
14
Segonzac
and surrounding area
17
Cognac and Pineau
20
The River Charente
22
Romanesque art and heritage
24
“The Cognac Route”
26
The Museums
28
Gastronomy
29
Mid-way between the oceanic coast of Saintonge, the Limousin
and the Perigord, and only a short distance from the Bordeaux
vineyards, the countryside in the Charente is a veritable mosaic:
gentle valleys, deep forests, hillsides covered in rows of vines,
rivers whose currents can be rapid or slow…
Sailing on one of the many small barges is a good way
of discovering this peaceful river: water is everywhere and
it nourishes the land whose produce we then find on market
stalls or on the tables of local hostels, all there for the pleasure
of the most demanding palates.
The Charente has a secret: nothing is excessive and many
a passing traveller has stopped here, captivated by the calm,
the luminosity, the abundance of local fauna and flora, the old
houses in white stone which reflects the sunlight.
Do as they have done…
D
1
73
Boutiers-Saint-Trojan
Louzac-Saint-André
St-Laurent-de-Cognac
Javrezac
Cognac
Saint-Brice
41
N1
La Char e n
te
N1
41
Merpins
Châteaubernard
Cognac
the town, its history
Coming to Cognac means visiting the famous Cognac
Merchants, taking a trip on a “gabarre” (traditional
flat-bottomed boat) on the Charente, visiting the
museums and the visitors’ centre dedicated to
Cognac country, Francis I’s castle and the Old Town.
However, there is also a lively commercial town
waiting to be discovered, with numerous cultural
activities and internationally famous festivals.
Francis I square offers a “ royal ” setting with its café
terraces, restaurants, shops and banks; it leads you into the
heart of the town going down the Rue d’Angoulême and to
the Place d’Armes where you will find the most beautiful
covered market in the region, inspired by the XIXth. Century
design of the architect Victor BALTARD.
WATER-RELATED
ACTIVITIES
The most beautiful stream in
my kingdom; according to
Henry IV, has always been a
contributing factor in the
development of the town of
Cognac itself, and surrounding
areas. The heavy “gabarres”,
laden with stone from the
quarries at Saint-Même les
Carrières, weapons
manufactured at Ruelle or
“eaux-de-vie” produced in the
Cognac area, have long sailed
down the River Charente to the
sea, from whence they
returned laden with salt from
Brouage or the Ile de Ré.
Today, the River Charente has
taken on a new life, thanks to
sport and leisure activities.
OUTDOOR LEISURE
ACTIVITIES
•Base Plein Air :
The Base Plein Air André
Mermet is a vast grassy area
which stretches out along
the Charente, next to Francis I
park. Entrance is free and
parents and especially
children can enjoy the
numerous games and
activities on offer, as
well as the possibility to
hire small electricallypowered boats.
• Camping : ideally situated
on the banks of the
Charente, Cognac’s threestar campsite proposes:
a swimming pool, snack
bar, grocery shop, postal
and telephone service,
washing machine, hot water
showers and access for the
disabled.
• Camper van stopovers :
parking area and camper van
hook-up at Cherves-Richemont
& Cognac
Sport
• Golf: Cognac golf club is
in the village of Saint-Brice
(La Maurie), between Jarnac
and Cognac and it is a true
paradise in the heart of the
countryside. It is a marvellous
18-hole “par 72” course.
www.tourism-cognac.com
Left-hand page :
• Saint-Jaques towers and the “gabarre” in Cognac
• Statue of Francis I
Right-hand page:
• The covered market
• Maison de la Lieutenance
2/3
•Horse-riding :
Les Ecuries de Boussac
at Cherves-Richemont offer a
wide range of activities for all
levels, from beginners
to experienced riders.
• Tennis : the tennis club is in
Saint-Brice and is very well
equipped; it offers various
activities for the young and
not-so-young, as well as
organising tournaments.
• Walking around Cognac:
cognac pathways
An incredible network of
pathways criss-crosses the
communes which surround
the town of Cognac, which itself
is on the GR4 route. Planning
and signposting the pathways
was the work of the Cognac
Ramblers Association, under
the auspices of the national
federation. There are walks to
suit all tastes. From the shortest
(le Tour des Iles de la Charente,
2km) to the longest (le Sentier
des Chauffeurs: 18 km).
The pathways go by the
following names :
• Sentier de l’Abbaye (St-Brice 16 km)
• Sentier des Côteaux
(Boutiers-Saint-Trojan: 10.5 km)
• Sentier sur Berges (Châteaubernard,
Cognac, Merpins, left bank: 9 km)
• Sentier sur Berges (Cognac, right
bank: 3.5 km)
• Sentier du Dandelot (Mesnac: 11.5 km)
• Sentier des Chauffeurs (St-Sulpice de
Cognac, Cherves-Richemont: 18 km)
• Sentier du Blau (Ars 8 km)
• Sentier du Fanaud (Gimeux: 11 km)
• Sentier François 1er. (Merpins: 15 km)
• Sentier des Borderies (Louzac-SaintAndré: 12 km)
• Sentier des Combes (Saint-Laurent de
Cognac: 9.5 km)
• Sentier des Lavoirs et des
Mérovingiens (Bréville: 14 km)
• Sentier du Moulin (Bréville: 8 km)
• Sentier de la Carrière
(Cherves-Richemont: 13 km)
• Sentier du Fussé du Roi
(Cherves-Richemont: 15 km)
The names in themselves are
something else! Take, for
example, the Sentier des
Chauffeurs. Who were they?
Bands of brigands roamed the
country at the time of the
Directoire (1795); they had the
nasty habit of burning the feet
of their victims to make them
confess where they had hidden
their savings, so hence
the name “the Heaters”. In 1796,
a dozen or so were wreaking
havoc in the area around
Prézier, but they were arrested
and tried and sentenced to be
branded.
All the relevant information
concerning these pathways –
their routes, the length, local
services- can be found in a
booklet on sale at Cognac
Tourist Office.
VISITS AND MONUMENTS
• Visiting Cognac Merchants :
Coming to Cognac means
discovering the secrets of the
most famous “eau-de-vie” in
the world. In order to ensure
that no aspect of the world
of cognac is ignored, the
largest of the cognac
merchants have put all their
knowledge and skill into
offering tourists a cultural
approach in their guided
tours. Each visit is different.
Trust your instincts...
Camus “La Grande Marque”
21, rue Cagouillet
16100 Cognac
Tel : 05 45 32 72 96
Otard
Le Château de Cognac
127, bd Denfert Rochereau
16100 Cognac
Tel : 05 45 36 88 86
Hennessy
Quai Hennessy – 16100 Cognac
Tel : 05 45 35 72 68
Martell
Place Edouard Martell
16100 Cognac
Tel : 05 45 36 33 33
La Maison Rémy Martin
20 rue de la Société Vinicole
16100 Cognac
Le Domaine Rémy Martin
D732 - 16100 Merpins
Tel : 05 45 35 76 66
Visits to local wine domains
at local distillers’. The list is
available at the Tourist Office.
Francis I’s castle :
Built then rebuilt, its ancient
walls date back to the XIIth
Century. Francis I was born
there in 1494.
• The Old Town: the town of
Cognac owes a lot to Francis I
in terms of its economic
development. By granting
numerous privileges to his
Things to see
La Salle au Casque (XIIth. Century) Count John’s Tower (Xth.
Century) and the vaulted hall known as “The Guards’ Hall”,
with Francis I fountain outside.
“good town”, Francis I
launched the flourishing
trade in salt, which was
transported along the
Charente. What we call today
“Old Cognac” is the part of
town where we can find
what remains of the
historical heritage from the
time of the salt trade and
that which followed it, the
trade in “eaux-de-vie”.
- The “Gate of the Bridges”:
known as Porte Saint Jacques
(XVth. Century) is the only
remaining gate of those which
formerly gave access
to the town. The “Maison
de la Lieutenance”: XVth.
Century house in Rue Grande.
Entrance door and interior
layout dating from the XVIIth.
Century. Wooden sculptures
dating from the XVth. Century.
- “Hôtel de Rabayne”:
XVIth. Century house with
a Salamander, the emblem
of Francis I.
- “Hôtel Brunet de Bocage”:
XVIIIth. Century house, with
an outstanding, decorated
façade (rue Saulnier).
- “Hôtel Perrin de Boussac”:
Built during the XVIth and
XVIIth centuries, in Rue
Saulnier, whose name evokes
the salt trade.
- “Hôtel Bernard de
Javrezac”: XVIth century
house, with a sculpted
gargoyle (rue Magdeleine).
ART AND CULTURE
There are four cultural seasons:
there is a rich and varied
cultural life in Cognac,
punctuated by four major
events, not to be missed:
• Blues Passions: Cognac
vibrates to the thousands of
musical notes to be heard,
reflecting a range of blues,
jazz and soul music.
• Coup de Chauffe: a
marvellous Street Arts
spectacle with incongruous
personalities wandering
through the streets of this
“Cité des eaux-de-vie”,
tantalizing you with their magic.
• Polar & Co: At mid-October,
« Polar & Co » proposed
numerous animations:
meetings and sessions of
autographs with writers,
scripwriters, illustrators,
exhibitions and more.
• European Literature :
the streets of the town are
flowing with ink from the
pens of so many European
writers, there to introduce
you to Literature from all
over Europe.
Things to discover
The Public Park. This park
is made up of the gardens
which once surrounded
two large private houses.
It contains a wide variety of
trees, grottos, streams...
There is a wonderful
Outdoor Theatre and
children will be delighted
by the presence of some
animals.
Things to know
Jean Monnet:
One of the
Founding
Fathers of
Europe was
born into a
wine
merchant’s
family in
Cognac on 9 November
1888. He was involved in
Allied co-operation during
the Second World War and
was Secretary General of
the Society of Nations. He
set up the Common Market
as well as Euratom and was
made an Honorary Citizen
of Europe. Jean Monnet
died on 16 March 1979.
www.tourism-cognac.com
Right-hand page:
• Detail of the portal at Ars church
• Detail from Boutiers-Saint-Trojan church
• Templars’ Chapel
4/5
Bréville
Mesnac
St-Sulpice-de-Cognac
Cherves-Richemont
D
1
73
Boutiers-Saint-Trojan
Louzac-Saint-André
St-Laurent-de-Cognac
Javrezac
Cognac
Saint-Brice
41
N1
La Char e n
te
N1
41
Merpins
D 73
1
Châteaubernard
Ars
Gimeux
Around
Cognac
Churches in the vineyards
• Ars: birthplace of a famous family whose members
distinguished themselves as much in battle as in
literature, the commune of Ars en Saintonge is spread
out over green marshland, rich in aquatic flora and
fauna: the church and the former presbytery
(currently the town hall) are important elements
in the heritage of the commune.
• Boutiers-Saint-Trojan: just a short distance from Cognac
campsite, take a walk around this area and you will
enjoy the viewpoints over two valleys, the Soloire and
the Charente, as well as being able to visit the
charming Saint Marmet church, with its traditional
little cemetery and then Saint Trojan church.
• Bréville: in the flatter land around Cognac,
the countryside around Bréville is one of prairies,
vineyards and woodlands with villages scattered here
and there, their names a reminder of the area itself
(la Coudre, la Forêt)… The church is there, still
surrounded by its cemetery, there are a few large
farms and important houses, former washhouses,
fishponds, mills on the river Soloire and its tributaries,
not to mention the remains of Merovingian
sepulchres.
• Châteaubernard: Headquarters for the Knights’ Templar
in the XIIth century, as witnessed by its austere church
of the same period ; however, the prehistoric remains
(dolmen, carved silex) and the Roman roads are proof
that it was inhabited well before this time.
• Cherves-Richemont:
an association of
two communes,
Cherves-Richemont has
diversified scenery, with
the Antenne river never
far away : vineyards,
prairies, woods, cereals…
There are endless
fountains and a rich
historical heritage :
Romanesque churches,
the ruined fortress of
Richemont with its
crypt and curious
cemetery. In Cherves,
Château Chesnel offers
visitors an outstanding
example of XVIIth
century architecture.
• Gimeux: the little town of
Gimeux sits on the side
of a hill which dominates
the valley and the
marshland of the Né. The
remains of sepulchres
and the traces of the
Roman road known
as the “ Chemin Boisné ”
are signs that the area
has been inhabited since
early times. The parish
church dates from the
XIIth century ; we can see
a former chapel and on
the hillside known as
coteau du Fanaud there
are the remains of a
windmill.
• Javrezac: although it is
adjacent to the town of
Cognac, the small town
of Javrezac, with the
river Antenne running
through it, combines the
advantages of both
town and country living.
Its XIIth century church
is worth a visit.
• Louzac-Saint-André:
On the western edge of
the department, with
1,000 inhabitants spread
out over 1,000 hectares
of the “ Borderies “
vine-growing area, the
typically “ Saintongeais ”
nature of the land which
makes up these two
communes consists
of two woodland hills
separated by shady
valleys ; two beautiful
Romanesque churches
and some remarkable
manor houses make up
its historical heritage.
• Merpins: Situated at the
point where the rivers
Né and Charente meet,
this site has been
inhabited since the
beginnings of time ;
this is confirmed by
finds of arrowheads,
remains of pottery, an
imposing medieval
fortress, an XIth century
church and a XIIth
century abbey. Its fertile
soil is host to prairies,
cereals and a vineyard
classified in the Grande
Champagne area.
www.tourism-cognac.com
Left-hand page:
Château-Chesnel in Cherves-Richemont
Crypt in Richemont church
Right-hand page:
Châtres Abbey in Saint-Brice
Gimeux Church
Louzac Church
6/ 7
attention to detail.
Châtres Abbey (XIth
century) which we can
only admire from the
outside, was a major
stopping-over place on
the Saint James of
Compostella route.
Cognac Golf Course
(18 holes) is in the
commune of Saint-Brice.
• Saint-Laurent de Cognac:
• Mesnac: this commune
in the flatter land
around Cognac is limited
on the West by the
numerous arms of
the Antenne which
makes it feel fresh and
gives it a certain
peaceful charm ;
furthermore, it has a
very interesting church.
• Saint-Brice: by virtue of
the beauty of its sites
and the richness of its
historical heritage, this
commune is one of
the most picturesque
around Cognac. Man has
long built symbolical
edifices in the valleys
of the Soloire and
the Charente : a dolmen,
an abbey, a church,
castles and manors, all
built with the greatest
Nestling among
woodland hills in the
Borderies, on the right
bank of the Charente,
this village has a water
source which was once
used to turn watermills
and which today feeds
a former washhouse.
• Saint-Sulpice: The most
westerly of all the
communes. It lies
between the
marshlands of the
Antenne and the chalky
hills, both with pleasant
woodlands. The
population live in a
number of villages, their
homes built from stone
which came from
the Chaudrolles
quarries. There is no
shortage of windmills or
manor houses, not to
mention the remains of
the Roman Agrippa Way
as well as those of the
departmental railway.
The churches in the vineyards
The region known as “Pays Ouest Charente”,
the western area of the Charente, and more
especially the Cognac area is particularly rich
in Romanesque churches and has created a
brochure which combines both culture
and tourism. Based on information gleaned
from the best sources, this brochure offers
walkers five circuits, each one about fifty
kilometres long.
It will be available from Tourist Offices
in the Cognac area.
La Charente
Graves
Moulidars
St-Amant-de-Graves
Angeac-Chartente
Bouteville
Bonneuil
Touzac
Viville
Hiersac
St-Simon
Vibrac
Champillon
St-Simeux
Mosnac
Châteauneuf
sur-Charente
Eraville
Birac
Malaville
Nonaville
Châteauneuf
and surrounding
areas
Situated in a bend on the river Charente, the town
is a pleasant place to stay, with its river stop-over
point, its islands and its flower-covered bridge, not
to mention its rich history.
Like pre-historic Man, the Gauls and the Romans also
left their mark. The Roman road runs through the
canton. In the Middle Ages, the castle defended against
invaders trying to cross the only stone bridge between
Angoulême and Cognac.
The commune has known many troubled times
throughout its history.
Francis I often came here after his marriage to Eleanor
of Austria. They appreciated the mild climate. After the
Wars of Religion, which had raged throughout the
region, the town returned to more peaceful times. As
for the “château neuf” (new castle), it was no more than
a ruin by 1725.
WATER-RELATED
ACTIVITIES
Various excursions possible:
see pages marked River
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
• Leisure area with games at
“Bain des Dames”.
•Intercommunal
Association for leisure and
nature activities: all year.
Tel 05 45 97 34 50
• Rock-climbing in a natural
environment: on the rocks
of “la Font qui Pisse”.
• Rambling in the area
around Châteauneuf
Left-hand page:
• Ile de la Fuie, river stop-over
• Saint-Pierre church
• “Font qui Pisse” site, rock-climbing
Right-hand page :
• Fuie washhouse
• Campanula
• Town Hall and Market
• “Bain des Dames” beach
where you can find
Mediterranean flora as well
as green oaks
www.tourisme-chateauneufsurcharente.com
8/9
Things to see
Haute Roche site, Ile de la Fuie and its washhouse, the public
park, the Town Hall, Hôtel du Tillet (XVth century) and its
chapel, Hôtel du Renclos (XVIth century), the Logis de
Barqueville and its dovecote, the old Priory with its Charentais
portal, Saint Surin church (IXth century), built by shepherds.
Guided tour of the town and its monuments available all year
round on request.
Things to know
The first lords of
Châteauneuf, known as
Berdeville at the time, were
the Taillefers, counts of
Angoulême.
It was the 8th count of
Angoulême who had the
castle rebuilt, after it had
been burnt down in 1081,
hence the name of the town
today.
Isabelle, the last descendant
of the Taillefers, married
Hugues de Lusignan. They
gave the domain to their
third son, Geoffroy. It is to
him that Châteauneuf owes
its coat of arms and its proud
motto: Qui plus mortis
contemptor quam Leo (who
better than the lion knows
how to scorn death).
VISITS AND SITES
•
Saint-Pierre church is a
basilisk with three naves,
ending in a transept. It is
classified as a historical
monument. The façade
is the most interesting part.
The Saintonge style has been
respected in its portal in the
form of a triumphal arch and
its three archivolts are
beautifully decorated as are
its capitals.
The architecture in the nave
cannot fail to remind us of
Muslim art which so inspired
XIIth century artists. Even
though the chapels and the
transept were rebuilt in the
XVth century, the style does
not detract from the overall
impression of the
construction.
The choir is lit by a large
stained-glass window. At the
junction of the southern
transept, the sculpture on
the capital represents a snail,
the ultimate in Charentais
symbols.
• Market: Monday, Thursday
and Saturday morning. The
Fair is held on the 25th of
each month, on a Saturday if
the 25th falls on a Sunday or
a Monday.
• Guided tours of vineyards on
local producers’ properties.
List available from the
Tourist Office.
Around Châteauneuf
From Angeac-Charente to
Vibrac : small XVth century
bridges, Claude Bonnier
Monument (starting point of
the Claude Bonnier Freedom
Path). Bonneuil : Saint-Pierre
church, beautiful XIIth century
façade, remarkable XVIth
century Breuil Manor, in Flaville
the old manor house and the
vine-covered hillsides.
Bouteville, XIth century church
with its beautiful XIVth
century murals and
the imposing ruins of the castle
from the beginning
of the XVIIth century.
Graves-Saint-Amant frescoes
in Saint Martin church.
Champmillon and its fortified
church and Moulidars with its
dovecote in the middle of the
vines are part of the canton of
Hiersac, a town with a XIIth
century church which has seen
many changes.
Mosnac with its pedal-car and
classic car museum. SaintSimeux with XVIIth century
fishing grounds and wonderful
viewing points. Saint-Simon,
“gabarre” village, with its
“gabarre” (flat-bottomed boat),
museum and classified church.
Birac, Eraville, Malaville,
Viville and Touzac are all
villages with a discreet charm,
between the rivers Né and Biau.
For reference
Exhibitions : various
exhibitions throughout the
year in the Municipal Gallery
and Library.
Left-hand page:
• The “Renaissance” gabarre at Saint-Simon
• La Porte de Calfat at Saint-Simon
• Boué bridge at Vibrac
• Bouteville Castle
• Fishing grounds at Saint-Simeux
Right-hand page:
• Early morning mist over the lock canal
• Vines
• XIIIth century tower, Jean-Monnet square
www.tourisme-chateauneufsurcharente.com
10/11
Houlette
Sainte-Sévère
Sigogne
Réparsac
Fleurac
Nercillac
Les Métairies
Chassors
Julienne
Foussignac
Mérignac
N 141
Jarnac
h
e
La C a e nt
Bourg-Charente
Triac-Lautrait
Gondeville
Bassac
r
Mainxe
St-Même-les-Carrières
Jarnac
and
surrounding areas
At the point where the river crosses the road which
links Angoulême to Cognac, Jarnac shines out on a
landscape of vineyards where each commune
represents a bunch of grapes. To be enjoyed
one by one……
From Neolithic times to this day, the pace of life in
Jarnac has been dictated by the Charente.
For centuries, the life of the commune was based on the
quayside, where the “ gabarres ” tied up, laden with salt
then “eau-de-vie”. There are still several grand
merchants’ houses and warehouses to be found along
the quayside. The life of the river today is based on
tourism and leisure activities.
There are seventeen communes linked to Jarnac,
each offering visitors the choice between nature and
sculpted stone, water and the wood of the barrels.
You can take trips along the Charente and its
tributaries, visit the wells at Foussignac, the
washhouses at Houlette or Saint-Même,
the ponds at Gondeville….
There is Romanesque art in Bassac
Abbey, Saint-Jean church in
Bourg-Charente or the church in
Chassors.
There is the forest, the green of
the vineyards, the yellow of the
sunflowers or the colza, the
prairies and the hillsides…
There is the heart of each town and hamlet,
the manor houses in white stone with
Roman tiles, the entrance ways with their
large portals….
WATER-RELATED
ACTIVITIES
Various excursions possible, see
pages marked River
OUTDOOR LEISURE
ACTIVITIES:
• Swimming-pool
Ile Madame leisure area at
Jarnac : open during high
season.
Tel: 05 45 81 72 58.
Open very day from 1st July
to 31st August . Volleyball,
basketball, children’s
playground, skateboarding.
• Campsites on the banks of
the Charente : there is a
choice, the three-star
campsite in Jarnac or the
one-star campsite at BourgCharente.
• Rambling : around Jarnac,
along the rivers Charente,
Soloire and Guirlande there
are plenty of towpaths
to follow allowing you
to observe at your leisure the
fauna and flora of the area.
Of particular interest, the
walk called ”Discover Jarnac
from the riverside”, proposed
by the Tourist Office.
Things to do:
Horse-riding, tennis,
mountain-biking, microlight
planes, water skiing…
VISITS AND SITES
• Bassac Abbey :
founded in
the XIth century, Bassac
Abbey, with its French-style
garden, has become a haven
of peace and retreat. Guided
tours or you can visit on your
own.
• Memories in stone :
The
history and particular
characteristics of these
mainly Romanesque
monuments are outlined in
the brochure “The churches
in the vineyards”, available in
Pays de Jarnac Tourist Office.
• Discovering the old town of
Jarnac : guided tours leave
from the Tourist Office or
you can visit on your own
(plan and information
available from the Tourist
Office). Visit of the old town,
Saint-Pierre church and
crypt.
• “ The Headdress ” Museum :
the story of the traditional
Charentais headdress
through the ages
• Fleurac Town Hall :
Tel 05 45 35 82 38.
Things to know:
the “Coup de Jarnac” :
During a duel in which he
fought François de Vivonne,
Lord of the Châtaigneraie,
Guy Chabot, Baron of Jarnac,
ensured his victory with a
backhand sword stroke
which did for his adversary,
something of a surprise for
those members of the Court
present at the duel, including
the King, Henry II, all of
whom had expected Vivonne
to win.
Since then the expression
“Coup de Jarnac” is used to
describe an unexpected and
decisive manoeuvre.
www.jarnac-tourisme.fr
Left-hand page
• River cruises on the "Chabot"
• The point in Jarnac park
• Bassac Abbey
Right-hand page :
• "le Génie de la Bastille" a collection from the
"Donation F. Mitterrand"
• The cooperage
• The Charente as it meanders through
the park in Jarnac
1 2 / 13
• “L a
Pouponnière ”
Doll Museum :
In Bourg-Charente, an
exhibition of 1,800 dolls
dating from the 19th century
to the present day.
Rue du Port:
Tel 05 45 81 20 46.
ART AND CULTURE:
Exhibitions:
• François Mitterrand Museum
and the house where he
was born. In Jarnac, on the
quai de l’orangerie, these
former warehouses are
home to two exhibitions:
The Gifts Hall – contains all
the objets d’art offered to the
President of the Republic and
the “Salle des Architectures
Capitales” presents all the
models of urban works
conceived during the
President’s two seven-year
terms. Just a short distance
away: The house where
François Mitterrand was
born in which you can walk
through the rooms in which
the President lived as both a
child and an adult. The
François Mitterrand Institute
has put on display hitherto
unknown photos and
documents which give us an
insight into the President’s
youth and family life.
Tel: 05 45 81 38 88.
•Pierre BOUJUT
“ Poet’s Corner ” :
Open from mid-July to the
end of August in Jarnac, the
cooper/poet’s workshop is
dedicated to the living
memory of the authors of
“The Tower of Fire”.
11 rue Maurice-LaporteBisquit : Tel: 05 45 81 63 74.
• Ecnanosèr :
This group of
artists and fans of
contemporary forms of
expression organizes
exhibitions and meetings in
the town.
56 Grand’ Rue.
Tel 05 45 81 24 68.
• Visiting the cognac
merchants :
- The House Courvoisier:
Guided tours of the ageing
warehouses and the
Napoleon Museum in Jarnac,
from May to September.
Tel: 05 45 35 56 16.
- Louis Royer sas
Guided tours in summer.
Jarnac.
Tel 05 45 81 26 82 or
Tel: 05 45 81 02 72.
- Thomas HINE & Co
Guided tours of the ageing
warehouses and of the
“Paradise” in Jarnac. All year
by appointment.
Tel : 05 45 35 59 59.
• Guided tours of vineyards
on local producers’
properties. List available
from the Tourist Office.
Setting off
from the Tourist Office,
following this unusual tour
through the Jarnac area
you will come across the
men cleaving wood for
barrel staves and the
coopers, on whom depends
the success of the ageing
process of cognac. You are
sure to be offered a taste!
Departures from the
Tourist Office from 15th
June to 15th September,
Monday to Thursday at
2p.m., by appointment out
of season or at weekends.
• The Oak Tour :
For reference :
• In 1569, the Battle of Jarnac was a bloody episode during the
Wars of Religion. Louis I Bourbon, Head of the Protestant army,
was killed there. A pyramid-shaped stele at Triac-Lautrait
reminds us of where this event took place.
• François MITTERRAND, President of the Republic from 1981
to 1995, was born in Jarnac, where he spent his childhood.
He is buried in the “Grands Maisons” cemetery.
Mons
Marcillac-Lanville
Bonneville
Gourville
Anville
La
D9
Cha
Montigné
re
39
Sonneville
Génac
Auge-St-Médard
nte
Courbillac
Mareuil
Plaizac
Rouillac
Bignac
St-Cybardeaux
St-Genis-de-Hiersac
St-Amant-de-Nouère
Vaux-Rouillac
Echallat
Douzat
Rouillac
and
surrounding areas
25km from Angoulême, this is the gateway into
“Cognac country”.
Formerly at the crossroads of several major Roman
roads, Rouillac is famous today for its (sometimes huge)
fair on the 27th of each month, as well as for the
outstanding cultural programme organized by, among
others, the “ La Palène ” Association – in the excellent
accommodation in the “ Vingt-Sept ” cultural centre,
a shining example in a rural area.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
• Amenities and services
- Rouillac Municipal
Campsite – two stars (closed
for repairs, for futher
information contact the
towhall). Marco Campsite at
Bignac – three stars; both
have access for the disabled.
- Rouillac outdoor swimming
pool : with five pools.
- Accommodation –
possibilities in various
communes.
- Camper van hook-up
• Walks: prepared by
“L’Association Chemins”, they
take you in search of the
Fountains used for offerings,
consecrated in ancient times,
and also on a very pleasant
walk around the Rouillac area.
On sale at Rouillac Tourist
Office.
• Horse-riding:
Two equestrian centres :
Club Hippique des Bouchauds
at Saint-Cybardeaux and Ecurie
des Roseaux at Courbillac offer
sporting activities and rides.
• Fishing :
Fishing fans will enjoy the
freshness of the banks of the
rivers Guirlande, Nouère, Auge
and Sauvage.
• Nouere cycling and pedestrian
path :
from Rouillac to St Cybardeaux
(and being extended to St Genis
d’Hiersac) is perfect to go for
a walk or a bike ride.
• Clubs and Associations :
they offer a variety of sports
and activities throughout the
year, open to all ages: tennis,
judo, cycling, dancing, rugby,
keep-fit and gymnastics…
(contact the Tourist Office).
Left-hand page:
• Sarabandes Festival
• Monthly fair every 27th at Rouillac
• Horse-riding by the Bouchauds Theatre
Right-hand page:
• Les Bouchauds gallo-roman theatre
• A wild orchid – L’Ophrys Bécasse (Ophrys
Scolopax)
• Marcillac-Lanville abbey
www.rouillac-tourisme.fr
14/15
Things to know:
the Logis de Boisbreteau,
domain of the Frondeboeufs,
was the main base of the
Lords of Rouillac. On Good
Friday 1492, Jean de
Frondeboeuf saved the son of
King Charles VII ( the future
Louis XII) from drowning in
the Charente, and was
knighted for the “tenacity of
his courage”.
VISITS AND SITES:
• The Gallo-roman era.
Ruins of Celtic temples can
be found in the commune of
Saint-Cybardeaux, dating
from the time of Epona, or
the Golden Mercury, and at
les Bouchauds there is the
Gallo-roman theatre ( the
biggest theatre built by the
Gauls in a rural area).
Primarily used for
religious services,
the site is one
of the most
remarkable in
the Charente,
and corresponds
to the ancient
Germanicomagnus and was
a stopping over place used by
those travelling on the
nearby Agrippa Way, which
linked Lyon to Saintes. In 2010,
opening of the Archaeological
Interpretation Centre at the
« Ferme des Bouchauds ».
• Romanesque heritage :
In a number of communes in
the surrounding countryside,
we can still find farms and
ageing warehouses which
are characteristic of Roman
structures and where you
will also find a string of small
Romanesque churches dating
from the XII century (from
Saint-Pierre in Rouillac to
Auge, Montigné, Echallat,
Genac, Gourville, Mons,
Plaizac, Saint-Amant-deNouère, Saint-Cybardeaux –
as far as the imposing abbey
at Marcillac-Lanville).
• Marcillac-Lanville Abbey:
An important stopping-over
point on the Saint James of
Compostella Route in the
past, in recent years it has
once more become a lively
place for pilgrims to stay.
Built in a classic style, the
church has some
magnificent
sculptures
which are
proof of the
past
splendour
of the
parish and
the priory.
• La Courade hamlet :
On the road to Jarnac, 5km
from Rouillac, the hamlet of
La Courade de Mareuil is well
worth the detour… Walk
through and you will discover
a real Charentais hamlet,
with the houses with their
entrance porches and high
walls, miraculously preserved
to this day.
• Guided tours of vineyards
on local producers’
properties.
List available from the
Tourist Office
- Between Rouillac and
Gourville :
you will catch sight of
Château Lignières, owned by
Renault-Bisquit, and Martell
& Co’s new bottling plant (no
visits)
- And as always, in each
hamlet – these proud,
sculpted entrances which
protect the precious cognac
ageing warehouses. Not to
mention manor houses of
character, such as Logis de
Boisbreteau, de Fontguyon,
de la Motte, de Montaigon
and many more, all making
their mark in pleasantly
varied countryside.
Things to discover:
Guided tours of vineyards
on local producers’
properties. List available
from the Tourist Office,
where you can also find a list
of good addresses for tasting
the excellent Charentais Vins
de Pays. For more information,
visit our website:
www.rouillac-tourisme.fr
CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS:
• Annual series of events at
the Vingt-Sept.
• Les Sarabandes in June,
a festival of lively spectacles
• Summer events at the
Bouchauds Gallo-roman site
and Marcillac-Lanville abbey
• British film festival in January.
All the information and
documents you need can be
found at Rouillac Tourist Office.
Left-hand page:
• Piste cyclable de la Nouère
• The "Logis" in Vaux Rouillac
• "Logis de la Motte" in Saint-Genis d’Hiersac
• L’église de Bonneville
• Detail from an entrance portal in Genac
Right-hand page :
• The high bell tower of Segonzac church
• The panoramic table overlooking the vineyards
• Charentais entrance porch
in Angeac-Champagne
• The centre of Segonzac, nestling in the greenery
www.rouillac-tourisme.fr
16/17
D 731
Salles-d'Angles
Angeac-Champagne
Gensac-la-Pallue
Genté
Segonzac
Juillac-le-Coq
St-Fort-sur-le-Né
Verrières
Le
Né
Saint-Preuil
Lignières-Sonneville
Ambleville
Criteuil-la-Magdeleine
Segonzac and
surrounding areas
As you come through the Charente valley, Segonzac
stands like a sentinel at the foot of the hills: its tall,
stone-built church bell-tower seems to be there to
ensure peace and calm in the surrounding countryside.
With an outward appearance of modesty, belied by the
wealth of certain properties, the little town hides its
real source of pride : it is the Capital of Grande
Champagne, renowned for the finesse of its eaux-de-vie,
with the best soil in the cognac-producing area.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
• Rambling and mountainbiking are both possible on
tracks which snake between
hills and dales, woodlands
and vineyards.
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
through the vineyards
• Circuits to take you from
village to village by car or
bicycle, discovering this lovely
rural heritage.
• Circuits based on the theme
of Protestantism : (by car ).
• Discovery of the vineyard
by vintage cars and hot
air balloons.
VISITS AND SITES:
• Saint-Pierre church with its
bell-tower whose pinnacle is
made of stones in the form
of pine cones.
• The Temple with its
beautifully sculpted
pediment depicting a Bible
shining out beams of light.
The dimensions of the
temple are proof the
importance of Protestantism
in the area.
• The viewing point from the
Panoramic Table at “Chez
Allard”. It dominates an
undulating landscape where
the hillsides form the humps
to which the vines cling,
where the vineyards, laid out
in strict lines, form a mosaic
whose rich green colour only
goes to highlight the
luminosity of this area. As if
scattered at random, the
roofs of pink tiles or grey
slates are signs of a lively,
inhabited region: villages
huddled under the
protection of their
Romanesque bell-tower,
hamlets or isolated farms
whose high entrance
porches, beautifully carved,
hide the secrets of cognac.
• Guided tours of vineyards
on local producers’
properties. List available
from the Tourist Office.
Things to know:
Told by a local, the tale of the
Knight of the Croix-Maron is
one of imagery and only adds
to the mystery of the double
distillation used in producing
cognac and in the way it is
aged.
Things to discover
Centre of Excellence in the
heart of the country
Established in Segonzac, in
a 19th century historical
building it is the only centre
in the world dedicated to
the production of spirits.
It hosts a high level
University (Masters 2) offering training to the future executives
of the wine and spirit trade. This diploma is run by the University
of Poitiers; the “Centre International des Eaux-de-Vie et Boissons
spiritueuses” trains and updates professionals from all around the
world on the latest developments of the trade.
The teaching area is not open to visitors but teams on the spot
are available for any information.
For reference
If the “Cagouille” (small grey snail) has become an emblem of the
Charente,itis because we knowitis importantto leave time
to Time, so that the cognac, sleeping in the barrels, can
develop all its aromas. But, even if, like the snail, the
Charentais moves forward slowly, he never goes back!
AROUND SEGONZAC:
All around Segonzac there are communes made up of little
picturesque towns dominated by their Romanesque church. Each
one has its own charm, be it a particular architectural feature or a
historical anecdote which makes them all the more appealing.
• Ambleville and its mills: windmills on the hillside, watermills by
the Né or the Collinaud. The church’s bell-tower is classified as a
Historical Monument.
• Angeac-Champagne : with its roman bridge “aux Trois Pierres”,
and the pretty village of Roissac with its manor house and the
Francis I fountain.
• Criteuil-la-Magdeleine with its beautiful manors: Logis de la
Motte, L’Epine, Barbe, Luchet, L’Ecurat scattered throughout the
countryside. The entrance door of the church, which has an
octagonal bell-tower, bears an inscription which led it to be
known as the Temple of Reason.
• Gensac-la-Pallue : from Palus; marshland. This is a very particular
type of landscape. Behind the church with its elaborate façade the
deep resurgence chasm is a pleasant fresh spot.
• Genté with its fountain and aqueduct which supplied the
watering troughs. Overlooking the village is the Panoramic Table
(101m altitude) which gives a 360° view of the surrounding
countryside.
• Juillac-le Coq where the church and the crenellated door of the
former canon’s residence form an elegant ensemble. The Logis
du Frêne has an entrance porch carved with beehives and the
Logis de Beauregard is a beautiful XVIIth century construction
which is classified.
• Lignières-Sonneville has a charming centre and the walk to the
church is bordered by flowers. Once there, you can admire the
triptych dedicated to the Three Kings Worshipping. There is also
a XVIIth century castle whose moat and washhouses are signs of
rural life.
• Salles-d’Angles has a Museum of Art and Popular Traditions
which houses a number of tools used by our grandparents
showing what life was like at that time. In Angles, you have to go
over the bridge with its Florentine coat of arms before you catch
sight of the Templar Chapel.
www.tourisme-grande-champagne.com
Left-hand page:
• Centre
re International
des Eaux-de-Vie et Boissons spiritueuses
• Saint-Preuil church
• Detail from the church in Lignières-Sonneville
Right-hand page:
• Protestant stele in Saint-Preuil
• Walking through the vines
• Threshing corn in the traditional way during
the "Nuits blanches en Pays Jaune d’Or"
• Dolmen at Saint-Fort-sur-le-Né
18/19
• Saint-Fort-sur-le-Né. The Né
is a tributary of the Charente
and it brings freshness to the
valley. The most majestic of
the dolmens in the region is
to be found here, standing
proudly in the middle of the
vines, its 400 ton table the
guardian of its secrets.
• Saint-Preuil : surrounded by
hills with woodlands on their
summits. Numerous
pathways make it a ramblers’
delight. Hidden at the heart
of a woodland valley, a stele
marks the site of a “desert” – a
clandestine place of worship
for Protestants, prosecuted
at that time for their religion.
• Verrières : just below the
church with its ancient cross
lies a pretty washhouse
which conjures up an image
of the washerwomen,
beaters and tongues hard at
work…
CULTURAL EVENTS
“Les nuits blanches en pays d’or”
every Friday evening in summer;
local history and traditions acted
out by local inhabitants.
Things to discover:
Stone
– cut, formerly taken from
the quarries at Saint-Même,
cut stone is omnipresent in
this region and has led to the
construction of many a
beautiful domain.
– chalk – extracted directly
from the soil, it was used in
the construction of
agricultural buildings, with the
stones in perfect alignment
Ostrich farm at Salles
d’Angles : visits of the farm
and its range of produce by
appointment (meat,
conserves, decorated eggs etc.)
Tel: 05 45 83 70 27
06 08 86 24 69.
For reference:
“Chez Dupont”, “Chez Durand” … There is a historical explanation
for this particular way of naming a village….During the Wars of
Religion, this was a frontier between the two camps, French and
English. Count John of Angoulême, Francis I’s grandfather, called
upon people from all parts of France to come to the area to reclaim
.
the land. The first inhabitant of each village gave it his name
Cognac and
Pineau
“Le Pays de Cognac” refers in particular
to a geographical area, but it is nevertheless
the heart of cognac country.
COGNAC
• Some geography:
the growth areas.
The geographical area
of production was set out in a
law dated 1st May 1909.
This zone, mainly confined
to the Charente and CharenteMaritime, is divided into six
growth areas spread out in a
circle around Cognac:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Borderies
Fins Bois
Bons Bois
Bois Ordinaires
• The vines:
80,000 hectares of vineyards,
unique climatic conditions,
the proximity of the sea,
a particular type of geology,
specific varieties of white
grapes (Ugni blanc,
Folle blanche, Colombard) – it all
contributes to the birth
of a unique product.
• Double distillation:
A miracle, a flash of genius, or
just pure luck? How can we
define this invention which
consists of distilling the wine
twice, once fermentation
is completed, in order to obtain
the “eau-de-vie? And what is
there to say about the
Charentais still, with its boiler,
the head, the swan’s neck pipe
and the snake-like cooling
pipe? So many questions… and
the vine-growers of the “Pays de
Cognac” will be only too happy
to answer them when you call
in to visit!
• Ageing:
Cognac can only be aged in oak
barrels which come from
the forests of the Limousin or
the Tronçais district of
the Allier region. In fact, the
“eau-de-vie” only becomes
cognac after slowly maturing in
this oak selected for its natural
properties and its capacity to
transfer these once in contact
with the alcohol, thus giving it
its colour and bouquet.
• Blending:
Cognac is the result
of a marriage of eaux-de-vie of
different ages and from
different growth areas.
It is the cellar master, a real
magician, who produces
the blend which is often based
on expertise and know-how ,
handed down in great secret
through the generations.
Left-hand page :
• Charentais vineyard
• Exit-point from a still
Right-hand page:
• Placing the circles round the barrels
• Cognac ageing warehouses
• Map of the cognac growth areas
• Some basic notions:
The main qualities of cognac
which result from this blend of
www.tourism-cognac.com
20/21
some degree of alcohol through
evaporation. Poetically known
as “ the angels’ share ”, this
evaporation represents
approximately 20 million
bottles per year… and gives a
pleasant aroma to the “Pays de
Cognac”, whilst also causing a
slight blackening of the roofs of
the ageing warehouses.
eaux-de-vie of
different ages and
different growth
areas are:
- V.S. or
stars; in which the
youngest “eau-devie” is four and a half
years old.
- V.S.O.P. (Very
Special Old Pale)
Reserve; in which the
PINEAU DES CHARENTES
(White or rosé)
youngest “eau-de-vie” is between
four and a half and six and a
half years old.
There is a legend which says
that Pineau des Charentes is
not only the fruit of the vine
but a product of pure chance.
For the past four centuries, vine
growers have been careful to
preserve the same tradition,
handed down from one
generation to the next, with
only one idea in mind,
obtaining the perfect product.
Usually drunk fresh as a beforedinner drink, Pineau des
Charentes also has its place in
the realms of gastronomy.
- Napoleon, X.O. or Hors
d’Age, in which the youngest
“eau-de-vie” is more than at least
six and a half years old
For the specialists among you:
During the ageing process in
oak barrels, the cognac begins
to colour, extracting the
tannins found in the wood.
However, due to, or because of,
the porosity of the wood, the
cognac is in contact with the
air. Thus, it loses volume and
VERS BELLAC
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Charente
The
a main river route
With a total length of 361km, the Charente is
navigable from Angoulême to Rochefort (170km),
passing through a multitude of picturesque little
villages with a particularly rich historical heritage.
Used from the beginning of time as a communications
route (the oldest ports date back to Gallo-roman times),
from Medieval times the Charente became a major
commercial route linking the Atlantic coast to the
areas inland.
Laden with all sorts of goods, the “ gabarres ” sailed up
and down the river incessantly, transporting salt
produced on the coasts of Aunis or Saintonge, “eau-devie” from the vineyards around Cognac, canons from
the royal foundry and the famous stone from the
quarries at Saint-Même-les-Carrières.
BOAT HIRE
Who has not dreamed of being
the “captain of the holiday”? It is
possible at Cognac or Jarnac, on
little barges of various sizes
(accommodating from 6 to
12 people). Sailing them is child’s
play, going through the locks
offers the chance to chat with
others, life on board can be one
of laziness or fishing for supper.
Several companies offer barge
hire:
- in Cognac :
Locaboat Plaisance
Tel 03 86 91 72 72
or 05 45 36 63 66
- in Jarnac : Crown Blue Line
Tel : 05 45 36 59 98
Sailing a pleasure boat today
takes you through 13 locks
between Cognac and
Châteauneuf. Mentioned on the
river maps, the locks at Crouin,
Cognac, Garde-Moulin,
Bourg-Charente, Jarnac,
Gondeville, Saintonge, Juac,
Vibrac, Châteauneuf-surCharente, Malvy, Saint Simeux
and la Liège are all places just
waiting to be discovered.
HARBOUR POINTS
• Cognac port :
possibility to link up to water
and electricity, services
available all year round
• Contact : la Capitainerie
(harbour master’s office)
Tel : 05 45 36 63 66
• Riverside stopovers :
Cognac (opposite bank to the
port), Boutiers, Saint Trojan,
Saint Brice, Bourg Charente*,
Jarnac,* Gondeville, Bassac,
Graves-Saint-Amant,* SaintSimon*, Châteauneuf-surCharente,* Saint-Simeux
*stopovers where you can link up to
water and/or with sanitary facilities
Left-hand page:
• Small barge on the Charente
• Canoe or kayak sailing
Right-hand page
• Swimming at Bain des Dames at Châteauneuf
• The “gabarre” in Cognac
• A fisherman on the river
FISHING
The Charente and its
tributaries are excellent fishing
grounds. You can obtain a list of
www.tourism-cognac.com
22/23
The trips on the “gabarre” run
from April to October for
individuals or groups.
- Association Saint-Simon
Village Gabarrier
Tel : 05 45 97 33 40.
AQUATIC LEISURE
ACTIVITIES, SPORTING
ACTIVITIES
• Cognac
- Base Plein Air
Tel 05 45 82 46 24.
- Canoe-kayak club
places where you can buy a
permit from any of the Tourist
Offices.
BOAT TRIPS AND OUR
BOATING HERITAGE
• Cognac the “gabarre”
welcomes passengers on
board from May to
September (groups must
book), they then have the
pleasure of a cruise down the
river with an accompanying
commentary.
Cognac Tourist Office.
Tel : 05 45 82 10 71
• Jarnac. From April to
September, the Chabot
invites you to sail down the
river while listening to a
commentary which will tell
you all you want to know
about the fauna and flora,
not to mention the history of
the river itself and the
prestigious families who
made cognac famous.
Tel: 05 45 82 09 35.
Boarding under the bridge in
Jarnac
• Saint-Simon – the “gabarre”
village. “La Maison des
Gabarriers” has on show
tools and documents which
remind us of this village’s
past, a time when they built
and repaired the “gabarres”,
flat-bottomed boats, used to
transport goods.
There is a sign-posted route
which takes you as far as the
quayside where you board
the “Renaissance”, a
reconstruction of a XVIIIth
century “gabarre”.
Tel : 05 45 82 46 24.
- Rowing club
Tel: 05 45 82 02 66.
• Jarnac
- Ile Madame Leisure Area
Contact Tourist Office.
- Canoe-kayak club
Tel : 05 45 81 32 01. Apart
from courses and outings, the
club also proposes, every
Friday evening in summer,
night-time trips down the
Charente followed by a
barbecue (book in advance)
• Saint-Même-Les-Carrières
- Water Skiing
Tel : 06 86 81 66 33.
• Vibrac
- Canoe-kayak club
Tel : 05 45 97 34 50
06 15 75 67 00.
• Châteauneuf-sur-Charente
- Leisure area “Le Bain des
Dames“ swimming and games.
Contact Tourist Office
• Saint-Simeux
- Canoe hire at the “Gabarriers”
pub.
Tel: 05 45 66 23 11.
For reference
• The mention of Carantonus
to designate the Charente
appeared in Ausone in the
IVth century. The name of
Karante or Karentenos
appears on earlier
documents. In the
archaeological museum in
Saintes there is a sculpted
face personifying the rivergod Carantonus.
Romanesque
art and local
heritage
The famous “Théâtre des Bouchauds” can be found
north-west of the “Pays de Cognac”, in
Saint-Cybardeaux, near Rouillac. Close to the “Agrippa
way” which linked Saintes to Lyon, the “théâtre
des Bouchauds” being 105m in diameter, could
accommodate between 5,000 and 8,000 spectators,
in other words as many as the theatre in Orange.
At the heart of the “Pays de Cognac”, between
Jarnac, Châteauneuf-sur-Charente and Segonzac lies a
very impressive Romanesque heritage.
SOME EXAMPLES:
• In 1025, Hildegarde, the lady of the manor in Bouteville, had the
church and priory built. This edifice is certainly worth a visit, and
you could fall in love with it, even if all that remains are the
façade, the south wall and some sculptures at the base of the
bell-tower.
• During the same period, the beginning of the XIth century,
Wardrade the Rich, Lord of Jarnac, and his wife Rixendis founded
a monastery on the banks of the Charente: Bassac Abbey. This
abbey is one of the most beautiful Romanesque edifices of the
Saintonge area, a stopping place for pilgrims on the Saint James
of Compostella route.
(Visits every day from 3p.m. to 6p.m.)
Left-hand page:
• Bassac Abbey
• Bourg-Charente church
• Marcillac-Lanville Abbey
Right-hand page :
• Keystone in an entrance portal
in the Rouillac area
• Triac-Lautrait fountain
• Wash-house at Houlette
www.tourism-cognac.com
24/25
façade, into which an
enormous rose window was
fitted during the XVth
century, as well as its
entrance portal decorated
with sculptures representing
the signs of the zodiac, make
this one of the highlights of
any visit of the town itself.
NOT TO BE MISSED:
• A few kilometres away, in
Bourg-Charente, at the place
known as “le Prieuré”,
we come across the parish
church, dating back to the
second half of the XIIth
century. It is home to a
particularly beautiful gothic
fresco representing the Three
Kings Worshipping..
the smaller elements of
historical heritage in rural
areas which form part of our
villages’ charm.
• Around Rouillac, the
fountains circuit (Font
Franchaud, Font de Bonneuil,
Font Pélérine)
• Around Segonzac,
(Open every day from 10a.m. to 6p.m.)
• Known as Christello in the
Middle Ages, the commune
of Criteuil is endowed with a
in Saint-Fort-sur-le-Né, the
Moulin des Plantes, and in
Genté, the fountain.
• Around Jarnac, the
washhouse in Fleurac, on the
banks of the Guirlande which
is the limit between the
Saintonge and Angoulême
areas; in Mérignac, the
washhouse and covered well.
XIIth century church whose
octagonal bell-tower is very
rare. Dating from the time of
the Revolution, it has
retained the inscription
“Temple of Reason. The
French people recognize the
existence of the Supreme
Being and the Immortality of
the Soul”.
• Finally, Saint-Leger church
and priory is the most
important and most
beautiful church in Cognac.
Its XIIth century Romanesque
must, as well as the bread
ovens of Petit Bouglioux in
Châteauneuf-sur-Charente
and Eraville.
• Around Cognac, the
recently-renovated oven in
Saint-Trojan as well as the
washhouse fed by a watersource. In Saint-Sulpice-deCognac, next to the church,
visit the spot where the
horses were shod.
• Around Châteauneuf-surCharente, the washhouses at
Birac and Bouteville are a
“Les Etapes
du Cognac”
Vineyards discovery
all year round
To bring you deep into the heart of the Charente
countryside, the association is bringing together a
network of wine/cognac producers to offer a warm
and friendly welcome. Their reputation depends on it.
“Les Etapes du Cognac” circuit is based on the fame of
the product, the nature of the local soil, the know-how
of the producers and the wealth of historical heritage.
From the vinestock to the still, from the barrel to the
“gabarre”, from the hillsides to the ageing warehouses,
cognac will tell you its story during the numerous visits
or walks and with the help of the people you will meet.
A winning trio:
a logo, a charter of
quality and a lively
network.
You will recognize
the members of “Les Etapes du
Cognac” thanks to the sign at
the entrance to those places
where you should visit.
You will receive the warmest of
welcomes from your host , who
will do his utmost to offer you a
visit of the highest standards.
No matter where you begin with
your first visit, the « Etapes de
Cognac » route is constructed in
such a way that each person who
forms part of the network, be
they charter of quality, the
members of the network, be
they vine growers, merchants,
craftsmen, hotel or restaurant
owners, or people hiring out gîtes
or furnished accommodation...
they are all closely linked in the
chain which forms the
“Cognac country”.
« Les Mardis du Cognac »
From June to September, there is a weekly chance
to meet the producers and share their world and
know-how in a vineyard. A wide selection of subjects
to ensure variety and a convivial atmosphere at
a wine tasting in a cooperage or a river barge.
www.cognacetapes.com
26/27
« Les Bonnes Chauffes »
Oddities and surprises for visitors at each
stage of the alchemy that is distillation. A
varied programme of events and
entertainments lets visitors see the
distilleries in the way they prefer.
In December and January : conviviality,
meetings, special events, gourmet delights,
festivities and unusual features bring fun
to participating distilleries.
Week-end « Bonnes Chauffes »
Further information :
www.tourism-cognac.com
office@tourism-cognac.com
Bilingual guidebook (French-English) with almost two hundred
carefully-selected members either specialising in grape-growing
for cognac production or working as hoteliers and restaurateurs.
Winegrowers welcome you to their vineyards and reveal the
secrets of cognac production.
Five special-interest trails have been designed to suit all tastes
and ensure enjoyment for all.
Museums
THE HEADDRESS MUSEUM
In Fleurac : a collection of traditional
headdresses, a fine example of these
fragile creations in tulle and lace, worn
by local women until the beginning of
the XXth century. A flower headdress,
a bird headdress, a child’s headdress,
headdresses worn for celebrations or
in mourning. This is a superb collection
of feminine attire worn in Charentais
rural areas.
Information: Tel: 05 45 35 82 38
“MUSÉE RÊVE
AUTO JEUNESSE”
In Mosnac, this unusual
museum has a unique
collection of over 200
models of pedal cars
and motor-driven cars
dating from between
1900 and 1960 – a delight for
both old and young !
“LE MUSÉE DES ARTS DU COGNAC”
• The cultural identity of cognac :
Information : Tel : 05 45 96 02 25
THE 60S’ MOTORBIKE MUSEUM
In Gensac-la-Pallue, come and see a collection of approximately
200 models. Only open on booking.
Information : Tel : 05 45 35 91 83
MUSEUM OF CRAFTS AND RURAL LIFE
In Ars, travel back in time and discover a variety of rural crafts
all housed under one roof: the potter, the cobbler, the clog maker,
the spinner, the butcher, the baker, the cooper, the carpenter,
the vine-grower… Information: Tel : 05 45 82 34 33
COGNAC ART AND HISTORY MUSEUM
In a beautiful town house giving onto the public park, the museum
has a range of different collections : paintings, sculptures,
decorative arts and archaeology.
Many of the objects on display are donations from families who
have a connection with the cognac trade or its related industries.
Of particular interest is a remarkable collection of paintings from
the Northern School, which bear witness to the historical links
between the Charente and the Netherlands; there is also a
wonderful collection of Art Nouveau glassware by Emile Gallé,
Daum or Lalique.
Regional ceramics are seen in the examples of pottery and
earthenware dating from Neolithic times to the XXth century, and
furniture, headdresses and other items representing local
traditions are displayed in a reconstruction of the interior of a
typical rural Charentais home.
Since the XIXth century, a number of
industrial practices have grown up around
the “eau-de-vie” which has made cognac
famous throughout the world. Linked to
traditional know-how, we see a respect for
tradition working hand-in-hand with the
latest technological innovations.
• At the heart of the alchemy : Thanks to a
very modern set-up which makes use of
multi-media, sound and smell, all
experienced as you visit the different
collections, visitors are invited to uncover
the mysteries of how cognac is made, but
also to understand the industrial history of
the town as well as discovering the
technological adventure associated with
cognac production today.
Information: Tel: 05 45 32 21 10
www.musees-cognac.fr
Musée de la Gare (Railway museum)
At Gourville, discover the world of the 19th
century railway and its associated professions.
Vintage locomotive.
Open every Sunday afternoon from July to the
end of September and by special request.
Futher information – townhall: 05 45 21 78 48
Left-hand page:
• The “Rêve Auto-Jeunesse” Museum
• Charentais headdress
Right-hand page:
• Veal chops “jarnacaise” (Pineau sauce)
• Charentais melons with rosé Pineau
Information : Tel : 05 45 32 07 25
www.tourism-cognac.com
28/29
MUSEUM AND HOUSE WHERE
FRANÇOIS MITTERRAND WAS BORN
FRANÇOIS MITTERRAND MUSEUM
10 Quai de l’Orangerie
Two exhibitions to visit :
- a collection of the objects, sculptures and
drawings offered to the President by
personalities from all over the world.
- an exhibition with the scale models of
the architectural schemes and schemes for
urbanisation instigated by François
Mitterrand from 1981 to 1995 and carried
out by famous international architects,
including a video and information points.
HOUSE WHERE HE WAS BORN
22 Rue Abel Guy
François Mitterrand was born here on 26th
October 1916 and spent his childhood in this
house. Visitors can walk through the rooms
on the ground floor and soak up the
atmosphere, helping them to understand
the lifestyle which influenced François
Mitterrand. The exhibition of hitherto
unseen photographs and documents, set up
by the François Mitterrand Institute, gives
visitors a greater insight into the President’s
family and early days.
Information : Tel : 05 45 81 38 88.
“ESPACE DÉCOUVERTE EN PAYS DU COGNAC”
This exhibition tells the story of the history and heritage of the
«Cognac country ».
Tourists are transported through space and time.
Through space, by means of an aerial view of the region and a
variety of photographs.
Through time, by a variety of means which illustrate the history
of the river and its role in the economic development of the
Cognac area.
Children can play with an interactive scale model offering a
thematic approach to “Cognac country” and read “magic books”.
The visit is free and it is the ideal opportunity to get to know
the area better.
Information : Tel : 05 45 36 03 65
www.espace-decouverte.fr
THE LITTLE LINEN HOUSE
In Lignières-Sonneville, come and find out about linen growing
and the uses of linen, you will be able to imagine what the work
and daily life of a weaver were like during the Second Empire;
(visits all year round, by appointment).
Information : Tel : 05 45 80 51 20.
MUSEUM OF ART AND POPULAR TRADITIONS
In Salles-d’Angles, a collection of tools used by our grandparents,
a way of showing us how they lived.
Information : Tel : 05 45 83 71 13.
GASTRONOMY
Charentais gastronomy is very well-represented in
Cognac and “Cognac country”.
Today’s chefs rival each other in ingenuity and talent in a bid to
help you to appreciate all the best local produce. The “amusebalots” are an essential accompaniment to a Pineau des Charentes
or a cognac with tonic, drunk as an aperitif, really the only way to
begin a good meal.
Next come the “gorailles”, a type of potted meat, less fatty than
some but just as tasty, to be eaten on their own or as an
accompaniment to oysters, “to change the taste”. Not forgetting
that the Charentais melon, with a drop of Pineau des Charentes, is
an excellent starter in the summer season. As a main dish “les
cagouilles” (small grey snails) cooked in the Charentais way, will
rival any beef stew. Finally, the wonderful Vin de Pays Charentais,
be it red, white or rosé, goes perfectly with any meal.
Things to discover
• The truffle market, truffles from the area can be found in
the market on Tuesday mornings from December to February
in Jarnac. Unique in the Charente.
370 kilometres of Atlantic coast, among the most
beautiful in France, where you will find long beaches of
white sand interspersed with coastal roads, pine forests
and marshland.
Go back in time following the military fortifications
along the coastline, from La Rochelle to Fort Boyard and
Brouage , all pointing the way to the New World.
Take a leisurely stroll, wandering aimlessly, let yourself be
carried along by the salty sea winds on a wonderful oceanic
adventure.
As for local crafts and traditions, you will be spoiled for
choice: from the salt producers to the “carelets” ( square
fishing nets), you can admire the gestures of the fishermen,
mussel farmers and oyster farmers, these are the talents
which make our coastal restaurants the most varied and
renowned in all of France.
G
G
G
The Atlantic adventure…
Adventure to be found in the hollows
of our valleys……
G
It is a land of water, history and legends. The valleys of the
Poitou-Charentes abound with surprising scenery, following the
rivers which run through them : Boutonne,Thouet, Gartempe,
Vienne, Charente, Tardoire, Seugne, Marais Poitevin…
Let yourself be carried along on the many waterways, dotted
here and there with fords, washhouses, hamlets and charming
villages – there are hidden surprises in all of them.
Man’s presence has shaped our valleys for millions of years.
Poitou-Charentes is a land where all are welcome.
Walking along the 820 kilometres of pathways of Saint James
of Compostella, you will cross lovely bridges and visit some of
the most beautiful Romanesque churches. There are 800 in all,
and there is no doubt that your imagination will be fired by their
numerous porches and columns. You will be able to associate
History with the scenery and the wide variety of ßora and fauna
around you as you stroll along in the sort of calm we associate with
times gone by.Take the time to taste some of our local produce or
stop over in some of the unusual accommodation on offer.
“ADVENTURE” – how to go about it
Adventure is all around you here. Firstly, it is “nature”.
On water or on land, roam our pathways and discover
our secrets. On foot, on horseback or by bicycle, the
Poitou-Charentes belongs to those who know how to
unfold its secrets.
This guide will help you.
8 rue Riffault - BP 56 - 86002 POITIERS CEDEX
Tél. : 05 49 50 10 50 - Fax : 05 49 41 37 28
Courriel : crt@poitou-charentes-vacances.com
www.poitou-charentes-vacances.com
G
Comité Régional du Tourisme
CRTPC/VP © Photos CRTaPC/ P. Bonneau - P. Boulesteix - J. Villégier.
A Romanesque adventure on the pathways
of Saint James of Compostella…
Reaching Cognac
country
By road :
Motorway A10 from Paris or
Bordeaux. Coming from Paris
take the Saint-Jean-d’Angély
exit. Coming from Bordeaux,
take the Pons or Saintes exit.
By train :
TGV from Paris to Angoulême.
Cognac is 40 minutes away.
By plane :
• Brie-Champniers airport
(Angoulême) ;
daily connections.
• Bordeaux-Mérignac airport :
national and international
connections.
Paris
RUFFEC
CONFOLENS
Chabanais
La Rochelle
Limoges
Chasseneuil
Rouillac
La Rochefoucauld
Royan
R.
N.
1
Blanzac
Barbezieux
Montbron
ANGOULEME
. 674
C.D
COGNAC
Segonzac
Châteauneuf
sur Charente
Hiersac
0
JARNAC
Villebois
Lavalette
Pé
rig
ue
ux
Montmoreau
Brossac
La Charente
Bo
rd
ea
ux
Baignes
Chalais
Aubeterre
Libourne
Crédit photos : COGNAC : J-L Clavel - OT Cognac, CHATEAUNEUF-SUR-CHARENTE :
B. Maguier - OT Châteauneuf, JARNAC : OT Jarnac, - S. Apert - J-L Cormier - P. Clochard A. Pelluchon - Mairie de Fleurac, ROUILLAC : L. Boucard - J.-P. Bouron - CG 16 Centre de
documentation Multimédia potographe M. Meunier - Mme M-F Dumout - J-M Mathe - M. de
Prévost - M. Rioval - C. Rodriguez - G. Sauvage, SEGONZAC : OT de Grande Champagne Suire-Cormier, pour les autres pages : P. Bertrand, CDT 16 - Ch. Sardin - Tourisme Evasion Sud
Charente - Restaurant du Château à Jarnac - Jean-Pierre Bouron - Jean-Claude Bapt
Marie-France Dumout - Mise en page : A. Aubert. Photogravure: Anphocolor.
Impression : Moreau Imprimeur.
Carte IGN R 20 - © IGN - Paris 2009 - Autorisation n°2009041 - 1/25000.
For further information,
please contact tourist offices of the Cognac Country in Charente
Châteauneuf
2, rue du Général Leclerc
16120 Châteauneuf sur Charente
tél. : +33 (0)5 45 97 13 32
Cognac
16, rue du 14 Juillet
16100 Cognac
tél. : +33 (0)5 45 82 10 71
Jarnac
place du Château
16200 Jarnac
tél. : 05 45 81 09 30
e-mail: otchateauneuf16@orange.fr
www.tourisme-chateauneufsurcharente.com
e-mail:office@tourism-cognac.com
www.tourism-cognac.com
e-mail: office-tourisme-pays-de-jarnac@wanadoo.fr
www.jarnac-tourisme.com
Rouillac
place Gambetta
16170 Rouillac
tél. : 05 45 21 80 05
Segonzac
1, rue Pierre Viala
16130 Segonzac
tél. : 05 45 83 37 77
e-mail: otdurouillacais@wanadoo.fr
www.rouillac-tourisme.fr
e-mail: ot.grandechampagne@wanadoo.fr
www.tourisme-grande-champagne.com
Cognac Country in Charente