Cognac
Your base for 5 nights, the river port of Cognac is synonymous with the famous spirit that bears its name and the town is packed with producers offering tours and tasings. It has an attractive cobbled old town with delightful town square, a museum devoted to the art of cognac production and a host of restaurants to explore during your stay, all within a short walk of your hotel. No visit here is complete without a cognac-tasting which is included as part of the tour.
Bordeaux
Rich from its long and prosperous wine trade, wealthy Bordeaux is an elegant city - the 5th largest in France - with a host of sights for a fascinating day visit. A highlight is the sweep of elegant classical buildings along the waterfront, including the harmonious Place de la Bourse and Esplanade des Quinconces, at the top of which lies the Monument aux Girondins. Other sights here include the beautiful Grand Theatre dating from 1773, Maison du Vin, which gives information on the wine tours available throughout the city, several important churches and a host of museums including the Musee des Beaux Arts housed in two wings of the Hotel de Ville, that houses an impressive collection of paintings with works by Titian, Veronese and Rubens.
La Rochelle
The glory of the busy port of La Rochelle is its old harbour, surrounded by stately buildings and now the largest yachting centre on the French Atlantic coach. Sights here include the twin towers that guard the harbour - the Tour de la Chaine and Tour St-Nicolas - the 16th century Hotel de Ville, 15th century Tour de la Lanterne tower that offers wonderful views from its summit and several interesting museums of natural hisory and emigration. Also worth a visit is the huge aquarium as is the delightful collection of perfume bottles at the Musee du Flacon a Parfum on Rue du Temple.
Rochefort & Saintes
The historic rival to La Rochelle, Rochefort was purpose built by Colbert in the 17th century to be the greatest shipyard in France, producing over 300 sailing vessels each year. Its maritime heritage can be seen in the beautiful Corderie Royal that houses an exhibition on reopemaking and the Musee de la Marine that displays models of the ships built here. The town is also famed as the birthplace of flamboyant French writer Pierre Lotti whose extravagant house is open to the public.
Saintes
Saintes has a rich architectural heritage, thanks to its position on the pilgrimage route to Santiago. Sights here include the Roman Arch of Germanicus, Roman amphitheatre, Abbaye aux Dames and 15th century Eglise St-Eutrope.