Cognac Attractions

120km/75mi north of Bordeaux is Cognac (pop. 19,525), in which Jean Martell, a native of Jersey, settled in 1715. He was followed by an Irish soldier named Hennessy, Baron Otard and others. The main features of interest in Cognac itself are the picturesque old town, which preserves a number of 17th and 18th C. mansions, the Château des Valois (13th-14th and 16th C.) and the Romanesque/Gothic church of St-Léger. Another attractive possibility is a drive around for example to Merpins, with remains of the Roman town of Condate, Châteauneuf sur Charente with its beautiful Romanesque church or the former river port of Port-Hublé.

Information on visits can be obtained from the Office de Tourisme, Place J.-Monnet in the town of Cognac.