DESTINATIONS © F ROCH -
DESTINATIONS © F ROCH - CRT NA COGNAC COUNTRY, TO ENJOY THE LIQUOR OF GODS It all began along the river Charente, in Cognac, the birthplace of king François 1 er : the town’s fabulous history is closely linked to the history of its “brown gold”, the “liquor of Gods” as Victor Hugo used to call Cognac. From its riverbed in the Limousin area, past the lakes of Haute-Charente, on to Rochefort and the ocean, the Charente valley is just waiting to be explored, by car, or by boat/bicycle. COGNAC: A FAMOUS NAME, A FAMOUS DRINK During the 15 th Century, the region produced wine. However, it wasn’t until the 17 th Century that double distillation was invented, and Cognac created. Today, all the great Cognac houses offer guided visits and tasting sessions, including immersive experiences between history and modernity, as with Martell House, Rémy Martin or Hennessy. EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS How does one reach the gates to paradise in Cognac country? Simply by KEY ASSETS • With its 75 000 ha, the Cognac vineyard is Europe’s largest white grape vineyard • Cycling in the Charentes: nearly 750 km of national and European routes • View from the river Charente, navigable from Angoulême to Rochefort Tasting Cognac: pleasure for the senses visiting a Cognac house - each has its own saga and surprising layout: magical places, themed exhibitions, and even a mini-cruise on the Charente, and last but not least, Cognac tasting. Be sure to visit the Cognac Arts museum, in the centre of the town’s old quarters. Located in the centre of Cognac, the Chais Monnet Hotel (5*) combines architectural heritage with contemporary creations and design. Michelin-starred chef Sébastien Broda invites diners to enjoy a gastronomic experience and the bar offers the widest cognac selection in the world. THE RIVER PORT AND BOAT HIRE Once a lively, commercial port, Cognac now boasts a welcoming, functional leisure port. Close to the centre of the town, the port meets all the needs of the river traveller. With a total length of 361km, the peaceful river Charente, named the Loveliest Stream in the Kingdom by Henry IV, is navigable from Angoulême to Rochefort (170 km). TRANSPORTS La Rochelle-Île-de-Ré (LRH) Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) Cognac Paris: 3hrs 15mins Bordeaux: 1hr 30mins MORE INFORMATION www.atlantic-cognac.com www.destination-cognac.com cognac.fr/cognac/_en/2_cognac/index.aspx ANGOULÊME, THE COMIC STRIP CAPITAL In 1969, three friends created a festival in Angoulême to celebrate the Comic Strip or Bande Dessinée (BD) in French. Year by year, the event gathered momentum until in January 1974, the International Comic Strip Festival was born. The streets of Angoulême, capital of the “ninth art”, reserve a large place for all kinds of bubbles and cartoons that you will see on the façades. Overlooking the Charente, posed like a ship on its rocky outcrop, Angoulême invites you to stroll. Don’t miss a guided tour in the little Valois train, which will reveal a wealth of information about the historical centre of Angoulême and its Roman heritage. KEY ASSETS • A city devoted to comics • Architectural heritage • A maze of cobbled, pedestrian streets with painted walls and panoramas TRANSPORTS La Rochelle-Île-de-Ré (LRH) Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) Angoulême TGV Paris: 2hrs Bordeaux: 35mins MORE INFORMATION www.angouleme-tourisme.co.uk 14 SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
DESTINATIONS Cirque de Lescun PAU - PYRENEES (BEARN): AN EPICUREAN DESTINATION From the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean sea, this region is focused on celebrating nature, food and tradition. In Béarn Pyrénées, young people lourish with their ideas, while nature is superbly preserved. In the background, the Pyrenees hypnotise, protect and unite this territory. A TERRITORY TO EXPLORE Homeland of Gaston Fébus, the “Pyrenean sun king”, the Pyrénées has a long history. Over the centuries, many castles were built at Pau, Morlanne and Montaner, the Moncade Tower, the manor house of Laàs, the Legend Bridge in Sauveterre de Béarn or the Portalet Fort! The region features three valleys of character and castles, dubbed “Cities and Countries of Art and History”. The richness and the decoration of the landscapes is unequivocal. KNOW-HOW AND CREATIONS For centuries, weavers settled at the edge of the roads to make their famous creations that have always inspired talent with innovative ideas. A GENEROUS TERRITORY The Emblem of Béarn, the breed of béarnaise cows is recognisable by its magnificent lyreshaped horns and the elegance of its plain wheat-coloured dress. Robust and with a strong character, she narrowly escaped extinction thanks to passionate breeders. Every year, from June to September, shepherds and herds live and celebrate transhumance in the valleys of the Bearn Pyrénées. The variety of the territory combined with such a wealth of local produce attracts renowned chefs. In the country of well-being at the Béarnaise, many good tables from the simple “Assiette de Pays” to the starry table passing through the inns of villages and the tables of “Masters restaurateurs”. SNOW BUSINESS When it comes to skiing in the Pyrénées, Gourette is the trendiest, Artouste offers an exceptional panorama in the Ossau valley and seduces snowboarders and freestyle enthusiasts. Pierre Saint Martin in Barétous valley, is a superb environment, ideal for families, beginners and adapted skiing. Not to mention the nearby ski resorts of Val d’Azun, Cauterets, Hautacam, or Luz-Ardiden. EXPERIENCES Fun route, riddles and unusual accommodation in the trees of the park at Domaine and Château de Laas. “Escape Castle”: in the park and its theme gardens (bamboo rose garden), the manor lends itself to a hectic adventure – 60 minutes and two scenarios to escape from two mysterious rooms by solving puzzles. An “Art and lights” urban stroll in the Hédas district of Pau: a walk in the heart of the historic city through scented gardens. In Gan, the winery of Jurançon allows you to discover the backstage of winemaking with a guide who talks with passion about the course of the grape, from the press room to the cellar, aging through the fermentation tanks. Take part in a wine tasting in Jurançon and Béarn. RELIGIOUS TOURISM On the Way of St James, hikers and pilgrims converge towards the Pays Basque and the Béarn before crossing the Pyrénées, from St- Jean-Pied-de-Port, by the mythical Bentarte and Somport passes before embarking on the “Camino Frances”. A passage by Lourdes, less than an hour’s drive from Pau, is also conceivable. © CDT64 - P Gaillard MUST-SEE Pau “city of art and history” With its castle that was the birthplace of Henri IV, its beautiful 19 th Century holiday homes, with “remarkable trees and species” and its panorama of the Pyrénées, Pau deserves its title. Smartphone apps, audio-guided tours, treasure hunts and interactive terminals allow you to discover this heritage. KEY ASSETS • Pyrénées Regional Nature Park, 3 nature sites (the Parc’Ours, the Asson zoo, the vulture cliff) and fascinating wildlife (bears, marmots, vultures, izards, ibex ...). • 3 “cities and countries of art and history” (Bearn Pyrénées, Béarn des Gaves and Pau) and 2 sites classified by UNESCO (Oloron Cathedral and the Way of St James). • Gastronomy: 1 st French area for producing sheep cheese and second for foie gras. TRANSPORTS Air’py - Pau Pyrénées (PUF) Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) Berlin: 2hrs 30 mins Brussels: 1hr 45 mins London: 1hr 45 mins Paris: 1hr 30 mins Biarritz Pays Basque (BIQ) Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) Pau TGV Paris: 4hrs 10mins MORE INFORMATION www.bearn-basquecountry.com http://en.lespyrenees.net www.n-py.com/en www.pau-pyrenees.com © Alban Gilbert - CRT NA www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine 15
