tekwriter
New Member
Dessine-moi un mouton
Posts: 4
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Post by tekwriter on May 13, 2008 15:28:11 GMT -5
We have one day/night in between checking out of our house near Bergerac and our return to Paris in mid-July. We decided to stay in Cognac - my husband was quite delighted at the suggestion given his deep admiration for their famous namesake product!
If anyone has any favorite cognac houses or other sights in the area to recommend, please let us know, particularly if you're fond of any less famous cognac brands that we might not be able to get back home. Merci!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on May 13, 2008 17:20:36 GMT -5
Cognac is a small and delightful city, based on about a three hours visit last May. We didn't go to many of the cognac makers but did check out Martel (found some types for sale there that aren't offered in the US although much of their product line of course is). The center of the town is quite old (but compact) and was fun to walk around.
We also enjoy Angouleme (location of the TGV stop we generally use when visiting the area). It's also quite old (Isabel of Angouleme ws the wife of King John of England, which will give you some idea). The city center is small but rather interesting and there actually was some pretty good shopping that wasn't outrageous (probably because not aimed at a market consisting of Parisians and tourists!), including a branch of Galeries Lafayette of all things.
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Post by Sarastro on May 15, 2008 16:06:28 GMT -5
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Post by MaisonMetz on May 16, 2008 0:22:30 GMT -5
Tekwriter -
I think you'll enjoy Cognac. It's charming. We spent a day there two years ago when we were staying in Saintes.
You might consider starting with a visit to the Centre d’Accueil du Visiteur on the Place de la Salle Verte for an introduction to Cognac and the general area. There's an interactive topographic model pointing out Cognac’s historic elements, architectural treasures, churches, and cognac houses. There's also a multimedia presentation on the history of Cognac augmented by various props, a waterway, music, and innovative lighting. This alone was worth the price of admission. Upstairs is a resource gallery with books, magazines and several computers loaded with interactive software also providing information about the town, its heritage and cognac.
From the welcome center, you can walk directly into the Musée des Arts de Cognac next door. The museum integrates modern interior architecture with an historic structure to tell the story of the cognac industry. There are audio phones to provide English translations and a great collection of cognac labels and colorful posters dating from the 19th century.
If you want to combine a cognac tasting with a bit of history, you might consider a tour of Otard because of its location in the château where François Ier was born. A pleasant lunch can be had at Le Bistro du Quai, and the place Francois Ier up the hill is a good place for some café culture.
We'd return in a flash if we were in the area.
Jo
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Post by Laidback on May 16, 2008 0:52:27 GMT -5
We spent a day/night a few years back in Cognac and enjoyed it so much that we made a return visit. There is a charming old relais, the Hostellerie Pigeons Blanc on the edge of town with a very good restaurant. We discovered a brand of Cognac there at the recommendation of the Maitre d' called Raymond Ragueneau.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on May 16, 2008 1:49:51 GMT -5
Jo, thanks for this information. We are going to be back in Aubeterre in about ten days, and enjoyed Cognac last year so armed with this additional information we may well return. Thanks again!
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tekwriter
New Member
Dessine-moi un mouton
Posts: 4
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Post by tekwriter on May 16, 2008 9:22:36 GMT -5
;D This will be one of the few stops during our trip that I haven't been to before, and the suggestions are brilliant and very welcome. Merci a tous!
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Post by MaisonMetz on May 16, 2008 9:29:44 GMT -5
Becky, enjoy your time in Aubeterre. We were there only once, but found the monolithic church fascinating. Hope you get to Cognac again!
Laidback, thanks for the recommendation re the Hostellerie Pigeon Blanc. Have made a note in the hopes that we'll be able to return to the area.
Jo
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