A trip to the Cognac region of the Charente in France often means a visit and stay in the town of Cognac. The town of Cognac is set along the Charente River and is home to about 20,000 inhabitants and to august Cognac Houses such as Hennessy and Rémy Martin. Cognac also boasts grand sites like the Château du Cognac the Saint-Léger church and the Château des Valois.
The town of Cognac also hosts the Cognac Blues Passions, Coup de Chauffe and the Cognac summer festivals. With the aforementioned attractions, it’s no wonder that the town of Cognac is the focus point for the thousands that visit the Charente region each year.
Jarnac, France
Further east, away from the salt flats of the Atlantic Ocean, ten miles east of Cognac and further towards to source of the Charente lies Jarnac, France, a small town of about 4,000 inhabitants. After spending some time in Cognac, a trip to the river town of Jarnac is worthwhile. Jarnac, like Cognac, is also home to a few prestigious and long standing Cognac Houses.
Courvoisier
The House of Courvoisier was founded in 1835 in Jarnac France. Courvoisier is one of the top four cognac producers (the others are Hennessy, Rémy Martin and Martell). Courvoisier offers a variety of tours at the Courvoisier Chateau. All tours allow the opportunity for Courvoisier cognac tastings.
For more information on Courvoisier tours and to book a visit http://courvoisier.com/us/experience/tour
The Cognac Houses of Courvoisier Hine, Braastad and Delamain are also located in Jarnac.
About miles forty miles east of Jarnac lies the Limousin Forest, home to the mighty oak trees that provide most of wood for the barrels in which cognac is aged. After visiting the urbane Cognac Houses of Cognac and Jarnac, the Limousin forests offer a welcome nature retreat. The Limousin Forest has hiking trails where one can hike amid the mighty oak trees that are the source of many Cognacs barrels.
