Cognac



Cognac is a city in Charente one département in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France. The inhabitants of the town are known as Cognaçais. Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angoulême and Saintes. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, with the smaller right bank area known as the Saint Jacques district. The town is situated on one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostella.
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HISTORY OF COGNAC
Unknown prior to the 9th century, the town was subsequently fortified. During the Hundred Years' War, the town changed sides on several occasions as the result of fighting and treaties in the region. Francis I granted the town the right to trade salt along the river, guaranteeing strong commercial success, which in turn led to the town's development as a centre of wine and later brandy.

The world's best-known brandy comes from the peaceful countryside surrounding the Charente River one hundred miles north of Bordeaux. This slow moving river, which King François I called the loveliest river in his kingdom, passes through a placid landscape of vineyards bathed by a clear and radiant light. A twenty-mile area called the 'golden circle" of cognac production encompasses Cognac and the second distilling town of Jarnac.

Cognac, the medieval town which bears the name of the region, is attractive with its narrow medieval cobbled streets and elegant Renaissance facades. It is here that the fabled nectar has been created since the 17th century and that the very air one breathes is permeated by the heavy scent of spirits evaporating from oak casks held in storage: this aroma is referred to as the "angels's share'. World famous firms such as Camus, Hennessy, Martell, Otard, Prince Hubert de Polignac, Rémy-Martin, Courvoisier, and Renault-Bisquit are located here; each distillery has its own secret and unique process for mixing the various blends of its eaux-de-vie. Join a guided tour to learn about the double-distilling process that goes on in copper stills before the ageing in oak barrels where the precious liquor will improve, taking on its final bouquet and famous golden glow. Take a barge or a small train and discover the history of cognac, its vineyards, distilleries and museums which show you not only how it is made but proudly display the oldest reserve of cognacs dating back to 1830. Then how about a taste!

More informations about the History of Cognac on the Cognac ! or Further informations

WHAT TO VISIT ?
More informations about the places to visit in Cognac on the Cognac and/or visit the Official Website of the Office of Tourism!


 * Surroundings and City Map of COGNAC

Free Internet/Wifi Access
Here are some places where you can get some Internet and/or Wifi Access:


 * Info 16 - BIJ - Adress: 53 rue d'Angoulême - Tel: 05 45 82 62 00
 * PIJ-ASERC - Adress: Cité de Crouin - Bât.S - Tel: 05 45 36 87 50


 * Bibliothèque Municipale - Adress: 10 rue Minage - Tel: 05 45 36 19 50

Nice & Cheap Places to Eat

 * 'Mc Donald's -  Adresse : 95 av Victor Hugo -  Tel : 05 45 32 47 00''
 * Rest. Le Duguesclin - Adress: 9, rue du 14 Juillet, -Tel- 06 10 20 30 19 <'100 m from place François 1er '>
 * Rest. La Courtine - Adress: Parc François 1er-Tel- 05 45 82 34 78 <'very close, along river Charente in verdure '>

COUCHSURFERS
There are about 40 Couchsurfers who live in Cognac and some others in the area. Feel free to contact them by finding them on the Page CouchSearch or by letting a post or a message on the CS Group of Cognac or on the Poitou-Charentes CS Group (state group).

Meetings
There is some CS meetings in Cognac, check the Groupe CS de Cognac or on the Poitou-Charentes Groupe CS (state group) to see and be kept informed about what happen in the area.

Meetings Organisers
Elodie

How to get to Cognac

 * By Car:

Comin from the A10 Nord - E05 Exit Saint-Jean d'Angély (37 km), à Saintes (29 km-N141)

Comin from the A10 Sud - E05 Exit Pons (23 km)


 * By Train:

Cognac train station (1 km), station in Saintes (26 km), TGV station in Angoulême (45 km)

Aéroport de:
 * By Airplane:


 * La Rochelle-Laleu (106 km) - Tél. 33 (0) 5 46 42 30 26


 * Bordeaux-Mérignac (131 km] - Tel. 33 (0) 5 56 34 50 50


 * Angoulême-Champniers (52 km) - Tél. 33 (0) 5 45 69 88 09


 * Poitiers-Biard (138 km) - Tél. 33 (0) 5 49 30 04 40

BUS</FONT>
BUS_LINES_of_COGNAC

Bicycles</FONT>
Louveloss ---   Adress :‎ 9, Rue du Puits Cautrin  17770 Saint Césaire  Tel : 05 46 97 90 53

COGNAC Blues Passions (From 5 to 9 on July 2011)</FONT>
Since 1994, renowned artists and talent of tomorrow meet on the legendary scenic areas "Cognac Blues Passions." At each corner, 6 days and 6 nights, the city of Cognac lives to the rhythm of the magic of Afro-American. "Cognac Blues Passions" ... so many rhythms to a big party with music and haunting powerful vibrations. With a tray exceptional artistic concepts often unique "Cognac Blues Passions" offers six days of pure emotion, discovery in an ever more eclectic and numerous each year. "Cognac Blues Passions" is a journey from where the "Blue Note" by a strange alchemy blends to create a world without borders, without age to blow a message of love and joy dedicated to all music lovers the devil.

Coup de Chauffe (from 2 Sept. to 4 Sept. 2011)</FONT>
Each year at the start of September a festive mood sweeps through Cognac. Street and circus performers, actors, dancers and musicians take to the streets of Cognac.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY</FONT>



 * Police Station: 17 et / ou 112


 * Urgence Santé: 15 et / ou 11


 * Hôpital:


 * Clinique de Cognac (Arc en Ciel) Adresse: 71 av''Angoulême 16100 Châteaubernard


 * Tel: .0 826 20 70 61


 * Fax: .05 45 36 45 26


 * Fireman Station: 18 et / ou 112


 * Ambassade:


 * Services d'urgence Médecin: 15 et / ou 112

LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS</FONT>
Cognac

INTERESTED LINKS</FONT>
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
 * Regional Group: Poitou-Charentes
 * Local CS Group: Cognac


 * Cognac on Wikivoyage
 * Cognac on Hitchwiki
 * Cognac on Wikipedia