Cognac

COGNAC - SAINTES
Departure: Quai de la Salle Verte in Cognac
Arrival: Rue de la Gare in Châteauneuf
Time : 2h31 - Distance: 37.83 km
On the way to the Roman and Romanesque Saintonge
From Cognac, follow first the Charente before you move a little further and reach the town of Merpins, where the remains of an abbey and a castle that controlled the passage to Cognac remain.

Without really realizing it (except with the signage maybe), because the Charente River remains your common thread, you will soon arrive in Charente-Maritime and will not be able to do otherwise than stop at the Port Du Lys in Salignac-sur-Charente to admire the breathtaking view of the Charente and the boats.

Continue the route and cross the countryside with villages and hamlets. A few kilometres after Saint-Sever-de-saintonge, you will find the Charente at your side, difficult to get closer!
Pay attention, before turning 90° to ride back to La Charente, it is possible to borrow a chain ferry (open in season) to cross the Charente and make a stop in the village of Chaniers. The opportunity to see the site of the «Moulin de la Baine» with its restaurant and river cruises.

A quick round trip and it’s back again, towards the finish this time! And here you are: Saintes, a city of human size, rocked by the Charente and where life is good. Proud of its past of more than 2000 years of history, it knows how to value the remains of the Gallo-Roman era: Germanicus arch, amphitheatre, archaeological museum... The Abbaye-aux-Dames promises an unusual moment of discovery around music with the carousel Basilik.

And if you have the chance to go there as soon as the sunny days arrive, you will see that we like to stroll along the banks of the Charente. Sunday walk around the public garden, lunch or dinner aboard the houseboat, the river Charente cradles the daily life of Saintais.

In the heart of Cognac, near the quays of Charente and the city center, charming apartment of 50 m2 located in a building dating from 1850, historic seat of the former trading house of Cognac Jules Robin.
You enter a closed interior paved courtyard that gives access to the staircase leading to the apartment by entering through the old veranda.
Apartment composed of a large bedroom with double bed 160 on parquet, a living room with a double sofa bed 140 and office area, a kitchen, a bathroom, a dressing room.
An old veranda and a terrace complete the exterior. Wifi, washing machine and free parking.

The "Musée des arts du cognac" tells a story of the Cognac countryside through the ages to lead to the adventure of cognac hilighting a major part of the local history and manifacturing techniques related to this emblematic product.
Combining old stones and contemporary architecture, on the sites of several historical places, the "musée des arts du cognac" covers 2000m² of exhibition space that promotes Cognac countryside, its heritage and the great human, industrial and trading adventure of the cognac. Heritage world is a reminder of the historical wealth of the Pays du cognac thanks to many interactive displays (models, scenographic show, some dioramas). An excellent starting point for any journey in the region or the town of Cognac. Technological world of the cognac is all about the diffrent jobs, skills and trades that revolve around the cognac (vineyards, distillation, barrel-making, packaging, marketing). An excellent introduction to visit the cellars and distilleries. The visitor is invited to discover these different spaces evoking the "liqueur of the gods" and its secrets.

To extend or end this visit, to offer or treat yourself, a shop offers a wide range of regional products.

Marie-Christine Coates welcomes you in "Les Tilleuls", a 19th century town house, completely renovated and tastefully decorated, 300 metres from the city centre.
Two bedrooms situated on the 1st and 2nd floor with view on the garden, and for the second floor a panoramic view of the roof tops of Cognac town. There are a living room, a bookcase, a walk-in dressing room, a double bed (160cm) and digital flat screen television with cable channels.

The 1st room "Petite Champagne" is equiped with a bathroom and separate wc.

The 2nd room "Grande Champagne" is equiped with a bathroom (bath and shower) and separate WC.

Sofa-bed for 2 persons in the living-room.
Tourist tax

Founded in 1715 by Jean Martell, a native of Jersey, Martell is the oldest of the great Cognac houses.
For three centuries, Martell has been producing, exporting and marketing cognacs whose quality is recognised worldwide. The identity of the House of Martell is based on three key notions: elegance, complexity and balance.

Enter into a unique story. Maison Martell offers you 3 different experiences.
The oldest of France's great cognac houses opens the doors of its historic site and invites you to embark on a journey through its history, terroir and savoir-faire. In a contemporary scenography, the Maison Martell offers a choice of three tours depending on how far you want to explore.

Martell Discovery is a fascinating guided tour spanning 300 years from Jean Martell to the present day.

Martell Savoir-Faire takes you further into the world of the Maison Martell with a workshop allowing you to fill your own cognac sampling bottle in a cellar that is generally closed to the public.

Become a cognac expert with the Martell Héritage tour, during which you help to blend a cognac in our Cellar Master's Atelier. A unique experience in an exceptional location.

A valid health pass will be required on arrival before the guided tours or tastings begin. It will also be required to access the Indigo by Martell rooftop bar.
For more information, please send us an email.

Please drink responsibly.