Visit Charente

1 - Les Tours ou tours Saint-Jacques - XVe

These vestiges of the ancient ramparts were the entry point
to the town and opened onto a medieval bridge which has
now disappeared.

2 - Hôtel Brunet du Boccage - XIIe - XVIIe

Private mansion of a cognac negociant.

3 - Hôtel Perrin de Boussac - Fin XVIe - XVIIe

Salt and later eaux-de-vie business.

4 - Mur-vestige - XIIe et XIIIe

Wall remains behind the Hôtel Babin de Belendroit.

5 - Maison de cardeur de laine - XVe

Wool carding firm.

6 - Eglise Saint Léger - XVe

The facade and the walls of the nave remain from
its Romanesque origins. A flamboyant Gothic rose
window was added in the 15th century. The portal
- 12th century - is decorated with the signs of the
zodiac.

7 - Porte de l'Echevinage - XVIe - XVIIe

Formertown hall in century 18th.

8 - Hôtel d'Allenet

Renaissance alcove.

9 - Hôtel Renault Forney de Saint Louvent

Century 19th mansion.

10 - Couvent des Cordeliers

Louise of Savoy and King Francois 1 were affiliated to this
Franciscan fraternity.

11 - Hôtel Bernard de Javrezac

Gargoyle on the head of Bacchus.

12 - Maison de la Salamandre Renaissance

Mansion of "Rabayne". A 16th century town house decorated
with the Salamander, the emblematic animal of François 1st.

13 - Maison de la Lieutenance - XVe

The rue Grande was, from the Middle Ages to the
19th century, the main thoroughfare of the town. It
is lined with fine Renaissance residences. Of note,
the maison de la Lieutenance with its half-timbering,
corbelling and 15th century carved wooden embellishments.

14 - Hôtel du Plessis XVIe

15 - Villa François 1er

Century 19th negociant's private mansion.

16 - Rue Traversière - XVe

Old tavern.

17 - Ancienne échoppe de perruquier XVe - XVIIe

Former wigmaker's workshop.

18 - Fontaine dite de François 1er et Tour du Comte Jean - Début XIXe

Remains of the first Lusignan logis.

19 - Prieuré de Saint Léger

Century 13th lay brothers' entrance. Remains of the century 15th cloister.

20 - Cloître du Prieuré

21 - Couvent des Récollets

The Couvent des Récollets - 17th century - was
founded during the counter-Reformation. The
ribbed vault gallery, the covered well and the fine
decorative ironwork of the staircase are worth a visit.

22 - Espace Découverte

Place de la Salle Verte.

23 - Musée des Arts du Cognac

Cognac's Arts Museum.
Place de la Salle Verte.

24 - Château de Cognac

François1st was born here in 1494. He transformed
the castle of his birth, whose foundations date from
the 10th century, into a place of radiance of the
Renaissance.
See the salle au Casque - 13th century - the salle
des Gardes, the tower of Count Jean - 15th century -
and, outside, the François 1st fountain.
The château has been the property of the Otard
cognac house since the French Revolution.