Travel Guide to Cognac
Cognac is a famous city for its outstanding brandy. It is located on the banks of the River Charente in the south west of France; it is a wonderful place to visit all year round. The momentous town has a variety of medieval stone and half-timbered buildings, which can be seen on rue Saulnier and rue de lisle-d’Or.
Places to Go and Visit in Cognac
This medieval town is a very attractive with narrow cobbled streets and elegant Renaissance façades. The first sight you are sure to see is the castle where King Francois I was born in 1494. The guided tour of the St-Gobain Glassworks, 2 kms from the south of town is the most impressive place. Cognac has been formed here since the 17 th Century and the air in Cognac has been infused by the heavy scent of spirits evaporating from oak casks. World famous companies such as World famous companies such as Camus, Hennessy, Niartell, Otard, Prince Hubert de Polignac, Rémy-Martin, Courvoisier, and Renault-Bisquit are situated here. An interesting guided tour will take you through the double-distilling process that goes on in copper stills.
Thing to Do in Cognac
The wonderful romantic canal boat rides will take you upstream through the scenic locks then to Jarnac. This is the final resting place of the late President Mitterrand. Nearby Segonzac is the capital of the Grande Champagne Cru and is therefore a brilliant place to buy Grande Champagne. This welcoming town is also renowned for the festivals including: Open Doors/Portes Ouvertes (January); Grande Champagne fair and exhibition (April); tourism rally (May); medieval fair (July); and the local fair (August).
Relaxation Options in Cognac
In Cognac there are many different places to eat and drink to suit different budgets. The impressive atmosphere in La Bonne Goule gives brilliant Charentais specialities. As well as this you won’t have any problems finding places to sample the delicious cognac the town is so famous for.
Getting there and away to Cognac
Merignac is the nearest airport to Cognac; it is 20 kms away from Bordeaux.
By car from Bordeaux you can take the freeway to exit 36 in Pons to Cognac.
On the other hand you can catch a high-speed TGV train to Angouleme and then you can change to a local train to Cognac which is 20 minutes away. From Paris, you can take the TGV train to Angouleme and then change to a local train to Cognac which takes 20 minutes.
Hotels in Cognac
Domaine de Breuil is a charming 19 th Century castle in a Louis Philippe style which was the cradle of a great Cognac brandy cellar and now toady it has been transformed into a beautiful Hostellerie. The hotel itself is located in the middle of 17 acres of landscape parkland which over looks the Charente valley.
Safety in Cognac
When travelling to an unfamiliar environment, remain aware for potential hazards. Holidaymakers are more vulnerable to pick pocketing, theft or loss of personal effects. Outdoor activities and driving can place you at greater risk of having an accident. Language barriers and strange routines can also result in missed travel arrangements or problematic bookings. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.
Weather in Cognac
Travelling to Cognac for a sunny break is ideal through the months of June to September, with temperatures reaching mid - high 20sc. October through to May are the cooler months of the year with temperatures mild at 18c but lowering to 3c. The rainiest periods of the year are between October and January.