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.

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.

Room in a private home in a townhouse.
Private room in a townhouse.
Close to shops, cosy atmosphere, interior garden, ideal for a couple, a professional, ...
Breakfast is included.

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

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!
And finally Luciole is also "Luciole coffee shop and tea room", we offer coffee in partnership.
There’s plenty for everyone and all seasons at the Luciole.

3 spacious rooms all equipped, comfortable.
18th century house with a lot of charm: enclosed courtyard, breakfast included French

Old house in the heart of the city ideally located to visit the famous cognac houses and attend the Blues Passion, Coup de Chauffe, the Polar...
3 bedrooms including 2 with private bathrooms in a house of character of the 19th century with green courtyard and located in the heart of the city. Possibility to park bicycles, motorcycles...
On the 1st floor, a large bedroom with two beds of 90cm with a large bathroom and a bedroom with 2 beds of 90cm and a small bathroom.
On the 2nd floor, 1 Room ideal for children (2 x 90).
Possibility of garage on request.
Everything in the vicinity.

Witness to the History of France and the House of Cognac.
We offer different Experiences, all at the heart of two stories: the History of France and the history of Baron Otard Cognac up to the present day.
Our experiences:

IN THE HEART OF THE CASTLE
1H15 - Discovery tour of the Castle: Guided tour & tasting*
3 tasting formulas

CELLAR SECRETS
1h30 - Prestige Tour: Guided tour & tasting* VSOP, XO, Extra Baron Otard piped directly into the cellars)

COGNAC PRINCES
30 minutes - Private and unique experience around the Cognac Princes de Cognac which is bottled by yourself

Find out more about the experiences online.

*Tasting reserved for adults only.

Alcohol is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.

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.

An unforgettable experience !
Discover the secrets of the Cognac region!
"La quête de l'Elixo" takes you on an incredible adventure in the footsteps of the oldest of the Charente legends. Immerse yourself in the universe of a territory rich in a thrilling history, drawn around the vineyard and the "most beautiful stream of the kingdom": The Charente. Professor Arsène Coquand will guide you in the adventure and will do everything to put you on the trail of the legendary drink of angels, the Elixo.

To play, install the free app Legendr available on the App Store and the Play Store on your smartphone or tablet and go in search of the famous nectar of angels!

Evelyne & Pascal welcome you to the pretty town of Cognac in the heart of an old rehabilitated cellar.
Getting around on foot is easy: 6 minutes from the SNCF train station and 15 minutes from the town centre and the little traffic in the street ensures your nights are peaceful.


The 2 rooms have independent entrances.

The 2 rooms are comfortable and have private bathrooms (one with shower and the other with bath). Courtesy tray, television and wifi access.


You benefit from access to the sunny terrace overlooking the rooftops. Enjoy the deckchairs and garden furniture!


A kitchenette is at your disposal (microwave, fridge, dishwasher...) and you can enjoy your meals under the heated greenhouse!

Terra Aventura is a treasure hunt inspired by geocaching.
To play, you must download the application on your smartphone (androïd or apple) or bring you a GPS, thinking to print beforehand the list of clues on the website. Then you will leave a starting point referenced by GPS coordinates. Throughout the way, characters named "Poï'z" will accompany you in search of clues. These clues will allow you to complete the GPS coordinates of the location of the cache.

On the territory, you can enjoy a 2 km walk in the historic center of Cognac to discover the history of the city.
The poï'z "Zabeth" will guide you along the way and once the cache found, you will leave with a surprise!

Good luck !!

Need a plan? Want to go out? Accommodation for tonight?
You have THE right reflex: the Tourist Office!

Behind the smiles and the warm welcome to you, Destination Cognac experts welcome you to deliver their enlightened and committed advice.
Who better than the Tourist Office criss-crossing the area on the lookout for the latest news to share their passion and knowledge of Destination Cognac with you?
It is also a shop space for you to discover the specialties and local products.