Immobilier Carte Professionnelle de la Charente N° 109

Charente countryside where the Golden Liqueur comes from

HISTORY Thousands of years ago man inhabited the sun caressed hills which undulate between the Charente valley and the bed of the river Né, and the dolmens they created are still to be found today. Later, the Gauls invented the barrel and the Romans planted the first vines around their villas. By the Middle Ages, the bell towers of the Romanesque churches reached to the sky from the heart of the vine growing villages. The casks were taken up river along the Charente to the sea from whence they were shipped to Holland and England. Subtler than "burned wine" the reputation of the eau-de-vie from the Charente region was to spread across the oceans.

TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL TOURISM
Discover the traditional or more contemporary crafts and industries of the region.The Paper Mills In the region of Angoulême, the tradition of making paper goes back to the Middle Ages and two mills (Fleurac and Verger), still produce paper sheet by sheet, according to ancient techniques. The Transporter Bridge This monument has spanned the River Charente in Rochefort since 1900. Museum of Brandy La Maison Tesseron at Migron is now a museum which presents the history and methods of making cognac. Other visits worth the effort are The Letuffe Chocolate Factory in Trois-Palis, Angoulême. The Saint Gobain Glassworks in Cognac, the largest glass factory in Europe. Vicard Cooperage Near Cognac renowned for cask and barrel production for generations.

As the principles of distillation became more refined, Cognac in all its splendour was born out of the mysteries of double distillation and the wisdom of men who knew how to play with time in order to improve the exquisite nectar. Today, the legendary vines still plunge their roots into the tender, chalky soil and the sun turns the grape golden in the expectation of a fine harvest. However, this chosen land of the exquisite nectar is also a priveleged land where men nurture an "art de vivre" in harmony with the gentle contours of the landscape and climate. One can simply take pleasure in breathing the clean air whilst strolling through the vineyards and over the gentle hillsides. Whether on foot, horseback, bicycle or mountain bike, the cross-country paths offer many opportunities to modern day adventurers, and travelling from one village to the next is a voyage of discovery into the splendours of Charentaise architecture that instinctively blends with its surroundings, houses built of stone quarried from the region with attractive curved arches give an air of splendour in this marvellous warm and sunny climate.		Architecture that blends with its surroundings

Fishing Trout, pike, perch, big carp and whitefish are among the first class catches that the fishing enthusiast can pull out of the waters of the River Charente and its tributaries. Local Specialities Besides the world famous Cognac, other specialities of the Charente include oysters, mussels, cagouilles, mojhettes and jonchée cheese.

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS The River Charente is a coastal river that winds along 360 kms from East to West. It is navigable for some 170 kms and has been a channel of communication from the very first moment that man settled along its banks. The First Inhabitants Bones of Neanderthal man, found in the Vallée des Eaux Claires near Angoulême, attest to an ancient human occupation of the region. Gallo-Roman Prosperity The Romans made Saintes or "Mediolanum Santonum" the capital of Aquitania. Invasions and Turmoils The River Charente first served as an invasion route for the Vikings when the region was pillaged and destroyed in the 9th. Century. A few centuries later, the Franco-British rivalries and then the wars of religion also laid waste to the region. Naval Dockyard and Trade An important water-way for trade, the River Charente permitted rapid economic growth and the port at Rochefort was created in the 17th. Century. Situated near the estuary protected by the Ile d'Aix and the Ile Madame, the maritime defenses such as Fort Boyard watch over the naval dockyard. Today, river tourism and pleasure boating have become the new strong points and assets of the region.

Vieux Cognac on the banks of the River Charente

PRINCIPAL TOWNS ANGOULEME    Founded on a headland overlooking the River Charente, Angoulême has the charm of an authentic historical site while at the same time living very much in the present. The Comic Book Capital In January each year, the Angoulême Festival is the rendez-vous for comic strip enthusiats. The National Centre for Comics and the Image, houses the comics museum where original drawings are exhibited. Remarkable Architectural Heritage The Romanesque style Saint Peter's Cathedral which was built in the 12th. Century and restored in the 19th. Century, presents a richly sculptured façade and a vaulting with a row of domes. The historical town centre includes several museums and some handsome residences dating from the 16th to the 19th. Centuries. The public gardens of the Parc du François I, in Cognac      COGNAC    The birthplace of François I and a first rate tourist centre, with the church of Saint. Léger offering an outstanding example of Roman and Gothic architecture. However, the fame and prosperity of this town is due to the centuries old production of the brandy that bears its name. Cognac is famous all over the World. The "Maisons" of Cognac Numerous prestigious cognac "Maisons" open their doors to the public for guided tours and a visit to the spirit warehouses (or "chais"), where the cognac is aged in casks, followed by tasting sessions, is an excellent way of getting to know Cognac. The Old Town Time seems to have stopped in the narrow cobbled streets of "Vieux Cognac", the perfectly preserved historical heart of the town surrounding the château of François I. A Visit to Cognac should include the spendours of the Parc du François I and a boat trip along the River Charente.

ROCHEFORT    The naval dockyard which was created by Louis XIV and Colbert, gave Rochefort, the "new city" of the 17th. Century, its propserity. Between marshlands and ocean, this town preserves an exceptional architectural heritage. The Museums The Naval Museum relates the history of the naval dockyard, ship building and the penal colony. The Museum of Art and History evokes the memory of Rochefort and its adventures with overseas trade and colonies. Other notable places of interest include the Royal Rope Factory, a majestic 374 metres long building and the house of Pierre Loti, the famed naval officer and writer who accumulated thousands of souvenirs and objects from his travels which now decorate the house where he was born. SAINTES    The first capital of Aquitania during the Gallo-Roman age, "Mediolanum Santonum" has preserved numerous vestiges of this histprical period. Saintes is also a town rich in monuments from medieval times. Famous Monuments include The Roman Amphitheatre, constructed in about 40 AD, The Arch of Germanicus, erected in 18-19 AD, The Archeological Museum which houses the rich collections of architectural elements and sculptures from the 1st to 3rd Centuries. the Abbaye aux Dames, Saint Peter's Cathedral and the Saint Eutrope Basilica, give remarkable testimony of the renewal of the importance of Saintes during the Middle Ages. CHATEAUX The Val de Charente is marked by numerous châteaux, some of which are open to the public. Of notable interest are Crazannes Originally the residence of the bishops of Saintes, the present château dates from the 14th. Century when it was constructed out of an edifice from the 11th. Century. The manor-house has a magnificently sculpted Gothic façade. La Roche Courbon Called "Sleeping Beauty's Castle" by Pierre Loti, was built in the 15th. Century and embellished in the 17th. Century. Panloy A lovely example of Louis XV style architecture. The park to the château borders the River Charente. Fleurac The château of Fleurac bears the mark of the Italian Renaissance. Le Douhet A good example of classical style architecture with a double staircase with carved stone banisters leading down to the gardens.      Château Louis XV era COGNAC AND PINEAU Charente wines were first distilled in the 14th. Century. Rich in all virtues, properties and powers, cognac has acquired worldwide recognition throughout the ages. 90,000 Hectares of Vines produce the "cognac" for the entire World, Here are the unique conditions of a micro-climate, a special soil and exceptional daylight which give the Charente, by a happy accident. of Nature, the perfect.conditions for the production of cognac. There are six "crus" of the cognac, each with its own specific character.

The grape that produces the Golden Liqueur

The "cougna" as the Charentais say, is produced from the largest white wine vineyards in France. As did their ancestors before them, the wine growers of the Charente prune their vines, harvest their grapes, distill their wine and then patiently wait for their eaux-de vie to reach maturity. Similar to treasure troves, the cellars cast their shadows over the precious oak casks. Time works its silent miracle over the subtle alchemy that transforms the labour of man into a golden liqueur. The six "crus" areas of production (in order of quality), are Grande Champagne 13,000 Hectares, Petite Champagne 16,000 Hectares, Borderies 4,000 Hectares, Fins Bois 37,000 Hectares, Bons Bois 16,000 Hectares, Bois Ordinaires 3,000 Hectares. An Original Production The two-stage distilling process of cognac takes place in copper stills. The first distillation gives the "brouillis", the heart of the second distillation, the "bonne chauffe" which is conserved and aged over many years in oak casks. Pineau des Charentes The result of a lucky accident, this aperitif comes from the mixture of grape juice whose fermentation process has been stopped by adding "eau-de vie".

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