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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.
Bed and Breakfast, located in a family house, spacious and bright dating from 1830, in "quartier Saint Jacques".
We welcome you in our family home, a spacious and bright house dating from 1830, located at 2 steps from the quays and the heart of the city (restaurant at 2 min walk, cycling route at 200m). You can enjoy our beautiful walled garden (1400m²) with a large terrace of 45m², as well as our swimming pool area (heated and covered).
Possibility of parking (bike, car) inside the property.
Immerse yourself in Hennessy's unique history and craftsmanship, and discover how X.O evolved from a Hennessy family secret into an iconic cognac of Maison Hennessy.
A premium experience for cognac lovers, the Hennessy tour is inspired by the subtle, multifaceted blend Maurice Hennessy first created in 1870 to share with his innermost circle.
Start your visit with a brief crossing of the Charente River — which played an essential part in the development of Cognac and of Maison Hennessy.
As of May 2023, our guided tours include a mesmerizing virtual reality experience: MOBILIS, a 19-mn odyssey where heritage and craftsmanship merge seamlessly with cutting-edge technology and poetry. Inspired by sketches doodled by founder Richard Hennessy back in 1765, the brilliant French artists Olivier Kuntzel & Florence Deygas have woven a one-of-a-kind voyage that unveils the history and the DNA of Maison Hennessy.
The creation of this harmonious blend of visuals, sounds, and sensations required 2 years of work and the talent of 50 creative contributors.
As part of your Hennessy X.O tour, you will also delve into the craft of cooperage, the essential role oak casks play in ageing eaux-de-vie, and the phenomenon known as the "angels' share".
You will also have the privilege of visiting the historic "Paradis" cellar — a repository for some of Maison Hennessy's oldest eaux-de-vie.
To conclude your experience, you will be invited to a guided tasting of our iconic Hennessy X.O served neat, on the rocks and in a cocktail, accompanied by X.O chocolates or gourmet petits fours. An epicurean adventure for spirit lovers.
The "Musée des savoir-faire du cognac" tells the 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.
The musée des savoir-faire du cognac (M'CO) presents both the history and heritage of the region, but also the great human, industrial and commercial adventure of cognac. From the vines to packaging and advertising posters, the M'CO offers a better understanding of the different know-how and trades that make it possible to obtain this internationally renowned eau-de-vie: cognac.
To extend or end this visit, a shop located on the ground floor offers a wide range of regional products.
With family or friends, the Cognac canoe club team welcomes you, at the foot of the Château Royal de Cognac, to offer you the widest choice of walks and water rides in the department.
The passionate members of the Cognac Canoe Club welcome you, to offer you walks and hikes on the Charente and the little arms of the Charente. After an explanation of the route, you will embark with a map of the river and recent equipment that complies with safety standards (paddles, life jackets and waterproof canisters are provided).
You will choose your own boat:
Canoes
Kayaks
Stand Up Paddle
Electric boats without a licence
The Maison des Vins Charentais highlights the diversity and cultural richness of the region. It's a unique place where all the Vins IGP Charentais producers are represented. Come and visit us!
The Maison des Vins Charentais highlights the diversity and cultural richness of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region. The Maison des Vins Charentais brings together all the key players in the wine industry in a unique place where they can meet, exchange ideas and share experiences.
Discover the very first Maison des Vins Charentais in Cognac! There are a number of areas inside:
An area where you can find out more about the PGI Charentais wine sector, its challenges and its expertise.
A boutique offering only bottles of PGI Charentais wines from all the producers in a majestic wine library.
A wine bar for tasting the PGI Charentais wines on sale in the shop. A producer will be featured every month.
A tasting area to discover, inform, advise and participate in the education of taste in a slow-food atmosphere.
A professional tasting and meeting room for private events.
All these areas can be booked for hire: call 05 17 22 00 00 and hire the Maison des Vins Charentais for your events!
Opening April 27th 2024 from Tuesday to Saturday.
Project financed by LEADER funds, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the Charente & Charente-Maritime Departmental Council and Grand-Cognac.
Located in the heart of the cognac appellation, Luciole is a cocktail bar specializing in Cognac cocktails but also much more.
Opened since June 2017, Luciole is a unique cocktail bar on the banks of the Charente.
With more than 200 cognac references, the cognac temple will know how to recommend you for your favourite digestive!
There’s plenty for everyone and all seasons at the Luciole.
22 places
30 minute regulated parking
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.
107 spaces + 2 spaces for person with restricted mobility
Guest rooms located in a house with character not far from the Charente, near cognac houses and foot paths.
Located by the canal not far from the Charente river, this character house offers three guest rooms, less than 800 meters from the historic center of Cognac.
Tranquility assured. Sylvie and Thierry will welcome you all year round.
47 spaces + 2 spaces for person with restricted mobility
Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa, offers a spacious, modern and festive rooftop.
Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa, offers a spacious, modern and festive rooftop. Meet Bartenders’ team, and discover her exclusive and tailor-made cocktails, while enjoying a breathtaking view of Cognac and its surroundings in a festive atmosphere.
One of the most illustrious kings of France, François 1st, was born at Château de Cognac in 1494.
Turned into a cognac house in 1795, discover the making of its exceptional cognacs: BARON OTARD & D'USSÉ, through the fascinating history of the Château de Cognac.
Our experiences:
IN THE HEART OF THE CHÂTEAU
1H15 - Guided tour of the historic part of the Château, the dry and wet cellars with the tasting of a VSOP D'USSÉ, a XO D'USSÉ and a D'USSÉ PEACH cocktail.
SUNSET
0h40- Our new SUNSET tour combines the history of the Château with a cocktail at Le Lys bar for an unforgettable sunset.
SECRETS OF THE CELLARS
1h30 - Guided tour of the Château, the dry and wet cellars and the King's Apartments, normally closed to the public, with a VSOP, XO and EXTRA BARON OTARD tasting.
ROYAL FLAVOURS
2h00 - The experience begins with a discovery of the history of the Château and the know-how involved in making BARON OTARD cognacs. The Chef offers participants a combination of gastronomy and our cognacs in the heart of the King's sumptuous private flats.
Gourmet snacks, specially created to enhance the aromatic palette of the four qualities of cognac and made using local, seasonal produce.
Find out more about the experiences online.
*Tasting reserved for adults only.
Alcohol is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.
Witness to the History of France and the House of Cognac
The Château de Cognac overlooking the river Charente was first a 10th century fortress intended to stop the Norman invasions, then in the 15th century a seigneurial residence where one of the most illustrious kings of France, François I, was born.
Baron Otard, who had founded his House of Cognac in 1795, quickly understood how the thickness of the walls provided exceptional and unique conditions for the ageing of his eaux-de-vie. He then acquired the Ch��teau, thus saving it from total destruction.
The Château de Cognac, which has become a historical monument, is thus a witness to the History of France and the House of Cognac.
Discover our dry and wet cellars and taste the different qualities of VSOP, XO and EXTRA BARON OTARD cognacs extracted directly before your eyes !
Le Château de Cognac has the distinction of being a Historic Monument: a former royal residence, the birthplace of François I, and it is now the home of BARON OTARD and D’USSÉ Cognacs. A true testimony to the
history of France, the Château is a mustsee. Explore the vestiges of the past, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Discover the Château’s unique natural ageing conditions and taste the different cognacs in the dry
and wet cellars (low vaults). Different qualities of VSOP, XO and EXTRA BARON OTARD cognacs will be extracted directly before your eyes! Accompanied by your ambassador, follow in the footsteps of the Cellar Master and explore the renaissance rooms and the King’s apartments*, which are usually closed to the public.
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.
Located in the historic district of the city of Cognac, the Logis des Tourelles is a guest house in a 19th century private mansion hidden behind its large wooded and shaded park.
The guest house will be the starting point for visiting the Maisons de Cognac on foot or strolling along the Charente... In the immediate vicinity, you will find the Royal Castle of Cognac, the public garden, as well as the park François 1er (classified site, 48 hectares of unspoiled and protected nature)… but also the restaurants and bars! You can also enjoy the swimming pool in the heart of this beautiful environment (in season).
As soon as you enter the Logis, you will discover the historical elements, in particular the period floor, the columns and the old staircase. Le Logis des Tourelles offers 5 large and very comfortable guest rooms to accommodate a total of 11 people. Breakfast is offered depending on the season in the garden or in the house.
Available on the ground floor: courtesy lounge, large dining room with magnificent moldings (kettle with tea and coffee available, microwave grill, fridge), library with books and documentation, large wooded park with view on the turrets, terrace, several tables and chairs, garden furniture, swimming pool 5m x 10m (from 01/06 to 30/09), parking (free), 3 garages (on reservation, with supplement).
Free secure wifi throughout the guest house.
It is possible to privatize reception rooms or park for different family or corporate events (contact us for any request). In addition, it is also possible to book an apartment for 4 people with living room/kitchen, 2 large bedrooms and a bathroom (with wc).
Tourist tax extra.
Arrival from 4 p.m.