Top Things to do in Charente
Top 10 Things to do in Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Discover the best top things to do in Charente, France including Hine Cognac, Le Tresor de la Cathedrale d'Angouleme, Chateau Royal de Cognac, Martell Cognac's Visitors Center, Cognac Meukow, Musee d'Angouleme, Cathedrale Saint-Pierre, Hotel de Ville d’Angouleme / le Chateau Comtal, Musee du Papier, Le Musee de la Bande Dessinee.
Restaurants in Charente
1. Hine Cognac
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
Sur les bords de la Charente se dessine Jarnac, où en 1763 débute l'aventure de la Maison Hine. Deux siècles et demi après le voyage fondateur de Thomas Hine depuis le Dorset, les chais historiques du 16 quai de l'Orangerie vous sont ouverts. Traversant le Paradis et le Chai des Millésimes, vous découvrirez les singularités de la Maison Hine, seul fournisseur officiel de cognac de la Cour d'Angleterre.
Reviewed By 310steviem - Glasgow, United Kingdom
We just visited the wonderful House of Hine for a tour with Rudolphe. My husband discovered Hine about 20 years ago in Oddbins at home in Glasgow and will not buy anything else now. The tour did not disappoint! Rudolphe was a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who made the tour interesting and fun. The free tour allows you to taste 2 Hines - amazing! And for 10€ my husband got to taste the XO also - very worth the money. Thank you to Rudolphe and Hine! What a wonderful cognac and tour! Don’t hesitate to book!
2. Le Tresor de la Cathedrale d'Angouleme
3. Chateau Royal de Cognac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 407 reviews
The Royal Château of Cognac overlooking the Charente river was initially a 10th-century fortress designed to stop Norman invasions, and then in the 15th century became a stately home which was the birthplace of one of France’s most illustrious kings, Francis I. Baron Otard, who had founded its Cognac House in 1795, quickly understands that the thick walls provide exceptional aging conditions for his eaux-de-vie. He purchases the Château, saving it from total destruction The Royal Château of Cognac, which became a historic monument, is now a witness to French history and a Cognac House. We are offering a variety of tours combining two aspects of history: the history of France and the history of Baron Otard cognac up to the present day. Welcome to the Royal Château of Cognac!
Reviewed By vivelafrance1962 - Libourne, France
I took the 1-hour, 12 euro tour (the tour length is the same for everyone, the price varies only according to the quality of cognacs tasted at the end in the tasting room). I received a very warm welcome from the lovely Cecile, who speaks perfect English and was a very professional and informative guide when showing us through the chateau and the various cognac storage facilities. It's easy to find the entrance, right by the little roundabout before the bridge, loads of parking and close to other cognac houses, the river and the old town of Charente. I really recommend this tour to locals and tourists alike and they run all year round.
4. Martell Cognac's Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
Crossing the threshold of the Martell House, in Cognac, means entering into a unique story. It is the story of a man, Jean Martell who founded his cognac house, in 1715 under the reign of Louis XIV. It is the story of a house which, from one generation to the next, has kept alive the age-old knowhow of vine- growers, distillers, barrel-makers and cellar masters. It is the story of a beautiful region, whose crus bear poetic names: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois. It is the story of a French art of living made up of refinement and elegance, whose spirit gives Martell cognacs their clearly recognizable style. It is a story to be discovered, explored… and savoured.
Reviewed By Omer_Gazit_Shalev - Tel Aviv, Israel
We were a group of 4 and chose the more extensive Borderies tour, and were accompanied by a wonderful private guide. I have been in Cognac five times, in dozens of tours and distillery, and by far one of our best guides ever. That tour included a visit to the vineyards and the Guyenne Distillery which were very interesting. The tour concluded with a tasting of Reserve Borderies and a personalized bottle each - nice touch. Highly recommended!
5. Cognac Meukow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Our historic house AC Meukow, created in 1862 and settled in the heart of Cognac, invites you to a tasty and initiatory unique tour in Cognac. You can extend your visit with lunch in our CHAI MEUKOW and discover tailor-maderecipes around Cognac by our Chef Sabine.
Reviewed By clares574
We were unable to attend a tour due to other commitments but I just had a good feeling about this place and wanted to visit. We tried 3 samples and the liqueur/flavoured versions were divine - especially the vanilla. Returned later in the day to buy more purchases.
6. Musee d'Angouleme
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By andrewsimages - Torquay, United Kingdom
This is a lovely old museum, covering the pre-history of the area, African art and a gallery of beautiful (if you like that sort of thing) paintings above. I enjoyed all floors, the beautiful architecture (famous Parisian architect), and went back a second time. A very large sum was recently spent on its refurbishment (c. 2010?). Well worth a visit when in this lovely town.
7. Cathedrale Saint-Pierre
8. Hotel de Ville d’Angouleme / le Chateau Comtal
9. Musee du Papier
10. Le Musee de la Bande Dessinee
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By archiesanchez - Oakham, United Kingdom
Did the main museum, and the Trondheim exhibit. Really informative, although would have been nice to see a British comic within the collection (Beano, 2000AD for instance. A lovely installation.
TAGS
