The Region
We are ideally situated for easy access to all the major attractions of our region.
Cognac (45 mins)
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Cognac is a town known world wide for its high quality brandy and as you stroll around the medieval lanes of the river quarter, you can't help but notice the telltale signs of black lichen on the stone work. It feeds on the cognac vapour from the oak barrels it is stored in, called the "Angels share". Each year 20,000 bottles disappear this way (or another!)
There are three main cognac houses in the town, they are Hennessy, Martell and Otard. Hennessy and Otard are located by the river and Martell is up towards the town centre. All three offer tours of their chais or warehouses.
Saint Emilion (45 mins)
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To most people St Emilion is the appellation of a fine red wine, but behind the name, there is a charming village. Medieval houses line the streets and there are still traces of the village ramparts dating back to the 13th century. There are 3 famous wine chateaux in the area, they are Figeac, Ausone and Cheval Blanc. All 3 produce premier cru wines.
Jonzac (20 mins)
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Jonzac is the capital town of the Haute Saintonage and has a great deal to offer. A thermal spa, discovered in 1990 and now very popular as a treatment for rheumatism, a fishing lake near the spa, a covered market (with an excellent selection of fresh fish), open Tuesdays & Fridays, an archaeology museum, a large indoor waterpark and a host of restaurants, shops and bars. There is a really good Leclerc supermarket here too.
Other places of interest
Montendre (15 mins)
Montendre is only 15 minutes away and has many things to offer, it has a lake with a sandy beach, where you can just relax in the sun, go fishing or take advantage of the watersports on offer. It has a chateau dating from the 12th Century with excellent views of the surrounding scenery. There is a market (every Thursday) which we think is one of the best around here for the sheer variety of things on offer.
La Rochelle (2 hours)
If you wish to head a little further a field, you can visit La Rochelle, a beautiful town, built around its old port. There are numerous places to eat and to visit including the new La Rochelle Aquarium with its main attraction, a huge tank full of sharks, it will keep the children occupied for hours.
Angouleme (1 hour)
This is the capital of the Charente region, with the Charente river running through its heart. Angouleme is famed for its paper production and you can visit a nearby paper museum. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants.
In summer, exhibitions are held at the towns' museums and on Thursdays, you may find yourself taking part in one of the many street shows, entertainment and games (called jeudis - jeux de rue). These are fun for all ages and audience participation is actively encouraged !
Bordeaux (1 hour)
With a population of over half a million, making it the 5th biggest city in France, Bordeaux offers all the things you would expect like museums, shops, theatres and of course red wine !
There are three star sights that you must see if you visit. They are the Place de la Bourse, a large elegant square flanked by two large 18thC buildings, the Esplanade des Quinconces, a vast tree lined esplanade with fountains and statues, and finally the Grand Theatre, one of the finest Classical constructions of its type in France, renowned for its extraordinary acoustics.
Royan (1 hour)
Royan is a modern city known throughout Europe for its beautiful clean fine sandy beaches of which there are five. If its not just sea, sun and sand you are looking for, there is the Eglise Notre-Dame which is both dramatic and striking, the La Palmyre Zoo, one of the best zoos in France and not forgetting of course, the numerous places to eat and drink, as you expect from a popular seaside resort.
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