Take a relaxing cruise on the Charente, perhaps on the "Chabot" where the guide will share his knowledge of local history and the wildlife on and around the river. If you are feeling more adventurous, hire a canoe or kayak from the French National School, both are on the river in the centre of Jarnac. There is even a night trip by canoe, culminating in a late night barbeque on the riverbank. Next to the river at L'ile Madame there is a swimming pool, a skateboard park, volleyball and basketball facilities and a petanque area for the young (or the young at heart). The river is an angler's paradise with an impressive variety of fish to be caught. We can arrange for a fishing permit to be ready for you on your arrival and we are only a short step from some of the best fishing locations. A guidebook is available from the tourist office for those interested in fishing on the Charente.
Visit the distilleries of some of the most prestigious brands, Courvoisier, Hine and Louis Royer in Jarnac as well as the major Cognac houses of Cognac town or the many interesting independent Cognac houses with their alambics. As you walk around the town you are sure to catch a little of the 'angels share', some of the many thousands of litres of fine cognac that evaporate in the Charentais air every year. If you want to venture further, you can explore the famous vineyards of the "Grande Champagne Cognac" and visit its "capital", the charming town of Segonzac.
For our more active guests we have cycles so that you can explore the river towpaths, or follow one of the longer cycle routes and visit nearby places of interest. Jarnac, Bourg Charente and Gondeville all have tennis courts. If you are looking for something more daring you could try microlite flying at St Même Les Carrières, karting at Cognac and Nercillac or horse riding at the equestrian centre at Fousignac. Of course you could take the opportunity to do nothing at all, other than enjoy a relaxing time in the Charente. The garden at La Belle Demeure is not overlooked and is very peaceful. You can sit and soak up the sun or shelter in the shade of the acacia trees.
If you wish to simply relax with a book we have a wide selection to choose from and if you really can't leave your work behind, you can make use of our wifi connection.
LES BONNES CHAUFFES
1st December 2009 – 28th February 2010
Throughout the winter months cognac is distilled at vineyards throughout the region. The chauffe is the firing of the boiler of a still December. The traditional double distillation of cognac involves two "chauffes" and many local distillers invite you to share the experience.
FESTIVAL DE LA BANDE DESSINEE – ANGOULÊME
28 29 30 & 31 January 2010
Europe's Cartoon Festival
Also exhibitions at the Gallery of Contemporary Art in Angoulême
http://www.bdangouleme.com
BROCANTE – JARNAC
15th and 16th May 2010
L’Isle Madame
FESTIVAL MUSIQUE METISSES – ANGOULÊME
21st – 23rd May 2010
Angoulême’s Festival of World Music
Performers from around the world making music in and around Angouleme
www.musiques-metisses.com
FISHING DEMONSTRATIONS
June 2010
The experts help you to discover (and catch) the fish in the river Charente
FETE DU COGNAC – COGNAC
8th – 11th July 2010
Celebration of local produce / tastings, concerts and events on the quays of the Charente
LE QUATORZE JUILLIET - BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATIONS – JARNAC
14th July 2010
Excellent firework celebrations set to music in Jarnac on the banks of the river Charente
Stalls and street music and a popular ball at midnight
Only a few minutes stroll from La Belle Demeure
BLUES PASSION – COGNAC
27 28 29 30 31 July & 01 August 2010
6 days and 6 nights of live music with the opening night here in Jarnac
Many open air blues, soul music and jazz daytime concerts and street music
www.bluespassions.com
COUPE DE CHAUFFE - COGNAC
4th & 5th September 2010
Each year the streets of Cognac are filled with circus performers, street theatre, dancers and musicians for two days, day and night!
http://www.avantscene.com
HIPPODROME DE QUINT – HORSERACING - JARNAC
29th August & 5th and 12th September 2010
Flat racing, trotting and steeple chasing next to the river Charente
GASTRONOMADES – ANGOULÊME
26th – 28th November 2010
A celebration of local produce and gastronomy from local producers
www.gastronomades.fr
FOIRE AU PUCES – JARNAC
September 2010
Fleamarket in the streets of Jarnac
CIRCUIT DES REMPARTS - CLASSIC CAR RACE – ANGOULÊME
17th, 18th and 19th September 2010
Concours d’Elegance: Vintage cars and vintage costumes
Concours d’Etat: Historic cars maintained and restored in style
Race day – the amazing Circuit des Remparts track, unchanged since the first race here in 1939
Classic car races within the town & the world’s only bugatti race
www.circuit-des-remparts.com
BROCANTE – BOURG CHARENTE
August 2010
NATIONAL HERITAGE DAY
Saturday 18th – 19th September 2010
Visit sites of historic interest open to the public especially for this annual event
MARATHON DU COGNAC AT JARNAC
Friday 11th November – Sunday 13th November 2010
Starts and finishes at the Place du Chateau, Jarnac. Marathon runners in their thousands
www.marathonducognac.net
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
GOLF DU COGNAC – ST BRICE
Open all year. Visitors are welcome
La Maurie, 16100 Saint-Brice - 5k west of Jarnac
18 holes / 4 practice holes
Par 14 Yardage Men: 6142 m / Ladies: 5266 m SSS 73.3
http://www.golfducognac.asso.fr
FISHING ON THE CHARENTE – JARNAC
Fishing permits for holidays (Carte de Pêche “Vacances”) are available from several shops in Jarnac.
With over 1,600 km of rivers and 20 species of fish including trout, pike, carp and perch
Ask us for local fishing information booklet
http://www.visitcharente.com/activities/freshwaterfishing
NAUTILIS – ANGOULÊME
Open all year
Indoor / Outdoor Water Park
http://www.agglo-angouleme.fr
LES ANTILLES – JONZAC
Open all year
Indoor Water Park
http://www.mairie-jonzac.fr/les_antilles_de_jonzac.htm
AIRE DE LOISIRS DE L’ILE MADAME - JARNAC
Open every day from the 1st July – 31st August
Open air swimming pool, (swimming shorts not permitted), volley ball, skate park, boules and children’s’ playground
GABARE BOAT TRIPS
River excursions on a gabare, (reconstructions of the old boats which transported cognac, paper and stone from the region) at Cognac and Saint Simon
BOULES
There is a boules pitch nearby, down by the river in Jarnac and we have our own boules set here
MICROLIGHT FLIGHTS
For the really adventurous there are microlight flights from the Pierre Levee aerodrome near St Même Les Carrières.
WATER SPORTS
La Grande Prairie Angoulême
Sailing, windsurfing, rowing and motor boating are available at this plan d’eau in Angoulême.
TENNIS
You can arrange for summer membership at Jarnac Tennis Club or you can pay by the hour on one of their many courts.
WALKING
There are beautiful riverside walks. We have some rambler’s maps here and others are available from the tourist office.
CYCLING
Use our bikes or hire locally and explore the surrounding rural roads and river towpaths
CANOES & KAYAKS
Hire by the hour, day or half day from the canoe centre on the river
WATER SKIING
You might want to try your hand at water skiing. It’s only a few kilometres away at Planet Ski in St Même. Lessons are available for the truly ccurageous!
If you have any energy left, there are also centres nearby for climbing, quad biking and paintballing.
COGNAC & PINEAU
Many producers of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes sell direct to the public and offer visits to their distilleries and "chais". These range from the big Cognac house like Courvoisier, Hine, Martell, Hennessey and Remy Martin to owners of smaller family run estates who also welcome visitors.
BARREL MAKERS
Moines Frères produce barrels as well as pineau and cognac. This is a very popular visit for our guests
