Explore and create memories
Poitou-Charentes, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and located in South West France boasts the sunniest, warmest climate outside of the côte d’azur. Perfect for Summer or for that early or late getaway.
In addition to the beautiful countryside, the area is bursting with history, culture and things to do, making it the ideal destination for all the family. Prior to your visit, we are here to give suggestions on what to do during your stay and more than happy to make reservations on your behalf. You will also find two folders in your gîte, packed with ideas on activities and things to do and see during your stay.
Of course, visitors to France look forward to indulging in the cuisine and Poitou-Charentes is no exception. The region renowned for the production of Cognac is also home to the production of pineau. Pineau is the local Cognac aperitif (fortified wine) and delicious whether drunk neat or with sparkling mineral water. For those of you who prefer wine, the local Charentais wines are fantastic too.
Being close to the sea, which is less than an hour away, fish and seafood are specialties with oysters, mussels and seafood stew, cod and snapper a highlight. Choose from an amazing selection of local produce too many to all list here but include all meats especially duck, vegetables, fruit (Charentais melon - yum!) and honey. Visiting the local markets is a must. Jarnac and Cognac have great covered markets open 6 mornings per week. An extra treat is just 10 minutes from 1854 Chassors and called the “Domaine de Tambourinour”. A producer of Cognac and Pineau, it is also home to a daily fruit and vegetable market and a fantastic Farmers market on Friday afternoons. (Sept - June it is open Fridays and Saturdays).
You are completely spoilt for choice in terms of restaurants in the region and we have an extensive list of recommended restaurants to give to you. Infact, it is our hobby to try and test as many restaurants as we can to keep updating our list.
Below are just some of the highlights of this region so we have also included some links to help you explore the region further:
www.visit-poitou-charentes.com
www.poitoucharentesinphotos.wordpress.com
The beauty of this area is that you have the choice of exploring both inland and the Atlantic coast, including the “la côte sauvage” and the “la côte de beauté” reaching up to La Rochelle. We have found many great places and also recommended restaurants.
Inland
1854 Chassors is just minutes by car from Jarnac (4km) and Cognac (10km). Set on the banks of the river Charente, these historic market towns are home to many of the Cognac houses and offer a great start to your holiday.
Jarnac
Jarnac is slightly smaller than Cognac and we love it - maybe we are biased!
Originally built at the end of the 8th century, entry to the town is dominated by the beautiful Courvoisier chateau on the banks of the Charente river. This was the favourite cognac of Napoleon Bonaparte and a visit is highly recommended. Hine, Braastad, Louis Royer and Delamain are also based in Jarnac.
President Francois Mitterand was born in Jarnac and was also buried here after his death in 1996. The Francois Mitterand museum celebrates his life and gives insights into France during this era. Well worth a visit.
Another highlight is to walk through the cobbled old town and visit the Church of Saint-Pierre and its crypt. This is an early roman style church dating in part from the 11th century. The facade of the church is quite unusual with its rows of blind arches and columns.
Much of the town - and the pleasure of a visit - centres along the river banks, park and the quais along the Charente river. If you are eager there is the hiking trail or bike ride to Cognac (15km) along the recently finished Flow Vélo..
You can also hire canoes, peddalos or paddle boards from one side of the bridge, paddle up to the weir and you’ll be able to try the rapids, or you could take a paddle up river to the village of Bourg-Charente and take a picnic. Or simply enjoy the day at the swimming beach or public swimming pool.
France is famous for its national celebrations and Jarnac is the place to be for National Music Day (21st June) and the 14th July celebrations. The firework display set to music on the banks of the Charente is an evening to remember! Jarnac, along with Cognac is also home to the annual “Cognac Blues Passion” music festival. Highlights this year were Chris Isaak and Placebo amongst others. For 2024, some artists have already been announced - Deep Purple and The Pretenders. The ‘fête de Cognac” also happens during the last weekend of July and is culinary festival of all things local again with music.
Jarnac is not just a Summer destination. Every second Sunday of the month, enjoy the vintage car display in the main square. Immerse yourself in the Angoulême cartoon festival at the end of January; view lots of films at the Angoulême film festival in August; watch the local horse races in Jarnac during the first three Sundays of September; marvel at the annual “Circuit des Ramparts” Angoulême in September or take part in the Cognac Marathon in November (including a 12km, semi and the full marathon - fancy dress optional!) which starts and finishes in Jarnac .
There is a covered market every day apart from Monday as well as supermarkets, boulangeries, pharmacies, cafes and restaurants. A new highlight this year is the riverside bar ‘Quai 30’ which serves local artisan beer and wine. Enjoy their tasting platters and treat yourself to oysters and seafood on a Sunday.
Cognac
Cognac can be seen as having two distinct areas:
The bustling 'modern' town where you will find most of the shops, boulevards and street-side cafes;
The old town which is much quieter and includes the castle and other historic monuments, most of the famous distilleries, and the Charente river. There are some great riverside restaurants such as La Courtine and Comptoir 17. Don’t miss going for drinks in the many bars. New highlights between May and end October are the open air bars such as the cocktail bar Le Lys in the Château de Cognac or the rooftop bars at Martell and the 5 star Chais Monnet.
Cognac has preserved a number of historic houses, buildings and monuments, such as the Valois castle, the Saint-Jacques gateway flanked by twin round towers, and the Saint-Léger church built in the 12th century, evidence of its rich past.
The Château of Cognac, in which François I was born in 1494, has been home to the company Otard Cognac since 1795. The Château is open to the public and offers such treasures as a Governor's Lodge, several Renaissance rooms, a Helmet Room and of course cellars full of Cognac. The grounds also offer open air DJs through the Summer evenings in ddition to the afore mentioned cocktail bar.
The Museum of Art and History, in an attractive 19th century building in the public gardens, has sections dedicated to archaeological finds in the region, ceramics and paintings.
The Museum of the Arts of Cognac will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about making and marketing the famous local version of brandy. Cognac enthusiasts will also want to visit the Saint Gobain glassworks, where the bottles are made to contain all that Cognac.
A third area of Cognac to explore is the extensive “Parc Francois 1er” to the north of the town centre and surrounded by the Charente river. There are lots of walks and trails through the forested park. You can also explore the public gardens in the centre of Cognac and have extensive plantings, a rose garden, water features, trees and flower borders along with a little animal park and wooden climbing equipment for children .
Saintes
Because of its gallo-roman, medieval and classical heritage, Saintes is officially listed as a 'Ville d'Art et d’Histoire’. It’s less than 30 mins drive from 1854 Chassors.
This is a beautiful town and a must see is its amphitheatre Gallo romain. Built in the 1st century AD, the amphitheatre originally seated 15000 people and was used for gladiator fights and other ‘games’. Located in the middle of the town, it is breathtaking.
Follow on to The Arch of Germanicus which is a triumphal arch that was originally built at the entrance to a bridge crossing the Charente river.
Meander through the 'old town' centre which has an extensive pedestrian area with houses in the local white stone dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It is in this area of Saintes that you will find the most shops and restaurants, and the one half-timbered house that remains in the town (at Place du Synod). Finally , stop off and eat at one of the great cafes.
Angouleme
Capital of the region and a hilltop city, Angouleme sits high above the Charente river and is surrounded by ramparts.
Angouleme is home to the biggest annual comic festival in the world, the ‘Festival international de la Bande Dessinée’ and welcomes nearly 6000 people in the comic book industry and many thousands of visitors each year. The festival takes place each January. You’ll find cartoon characters depicted in over 20 giant wall paintings on the sides of buildings all over town - pick up an annotated map from the Tourist Office. Even the street names are contained within speech bubbles! It’s great fun to look out for all the cartoons!
September sees the weekend celebration of the Circuits des remparts - a weekend of classic car races around the city with so many things to do during this weekend.
For the shopholics, this is the place to visit for great boutiques.
Saint Simeux/ Châteauneuf sur Charente
No visit in France would be complete without wandering around beautiful villages which is why we have to include Saint Simeux and Châteauneuf sur Charente. Located only 20 mins away, its a great day out. First, drive to Châteauneuf and walk around this lovely little town and market. Then head to Saint Simeux nearby. With one of the most fantastic views, walk along the Charente and enjoy river life. Stop for an apéritif by the river at Le Gabarier and then go up the hill and savour an amazing meal at Le Mas Charentais, unbeatable with its panoramic terrace.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, is a port city that lies on the Garonne River and about 90 minutes drive from 1854 Chassors. The city is the wine industry capital of the world and is known to host some of the most popular wine fairs. After Paris, Bordeaux is known to have the highest number of historical landmarks.
Bordeaux has been vastly renovated over the last few years – restoring noble façades, installing trams and reclaiming from dereliction the vast swathe of riverbank. It is amazing and take a day to walk through and explore this revived and trendy city.
In 2016 the cite du vin wine museum was opened which is amazing not only as a building but also inside and a great tour to do.
The Coast
Stretching from the mouth of the Gironde estuary along the ‘cote de beauté’ up to La Rochelle , you are spoilt for choice on where to visit.
Royan and its neighbours
Less than one hour from 1854 Chassors by car, you will find a beautiful stretch of coast with towns, villages and activities to explore. The largest town, Royan has been attracting holidaymakers since the late 19th century. It has a beautiful promenade with many cafes and has five golden beaches ranging from secluded coves to broad arcs of golden sand, all in the heart of the town. There is also a marina that can accommodate more than 1,000 boats and an active fishing port.
A short drive away from Royan and you will find some more of our favouritie destinations - the tourist village of Talmont, the stunning seaside town of Saint Palais sur mer and the “côte sauvage’ - a 30km stretch of sandy beach, dense forest leading up to to the beachside resort of Ronce-les-bains and La Tremblade, the latter being famous for Oysters and seafood. There are so many restaurants here but favourites include La Grève, La Table de la Cèpe, Le Beach Bistro
Wander through the cobbled streets of Talmont - visit the majestic church Sainte-Radegonde, built in the 12th Century and browse the boutiques then head to Saint Palais. This coastal oasis is great for families with a stunning child friendly beach and lots of trendy cafés. Chez Lolo and Chez Bob are our favourites and are right on the beach.If you like Mussels, this is the place!
Lastly, nearby is the Zoo de Palmyre - a great day out in itself as you can feed the animals!
Ile D’oleron
Close to Royan is the beautiful island and home to the famous Marennes-Oléron oyster beds. Relax on the amazing beaches which offer family-friendly waters on the east coast and rolling breakers on the west, plus some seriously good seafood or buy some oysters to enjoy back at 1854 Chassors!.
La Rochelle and Ile De Re
With their rich history and fascinating heritage sites, picturesque coastline and varied family attractions, La Rochelle and Ile de Re rank amongst our highlights for a great day out under 90 minutes from 1854 Chassors.
A fishing village in the Middle Ages, La Rochelle is famous today for its beautiful Vieux Port, guarded by medieval twin towers. Relax at a restaurant on the quayside, or walk through the historic shopping streets fringed with arcades, many museums. We love the Maritime Museum and visit the Aquarium – one of Europe’s largest.
The city has a vibrant contemporary scene too with music festivals, sports events and shows throughout the year, including Le Grand Pavois, Europe’s biggest floating boat show.
The UNESCO listed Ile de Re is also not to be missed. Known as The White Island for the quality of its light and whitewashed houses it is separated from La Rochelle by a toll bridge which is an experience in itself!. Explore some of the island’s ten villages then relax at the Port over some mussels or scrumptious seafood.