A marvellous mini-break
The only spirit I really enjoy as a treat – especially when it’s nippy outside or I’m feeling a bit under the weather – is a drop of Cognac. So where better to head for a short break than Poitou-Charentes for a look at the region’s world-famous producers? This is the sunniest part of western France, and there’s plenty to see and do even if you’re not a brandy fan.
The area is especially renowned for Futuroscope, not far from Poitiers, a brilliant theme park that’s the second most popular in France, after the one near Paris featuring a mouse called Mickey. But if it’s an adults-only few days away, you’re never far from yummy food and drink.
The drink Cognac is named after the town of Cognac and is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town. To bear the name Cognac, production methods must meet certain requirements, not least that it has to be made mostly from Ugni Blanc grapes, must be distilled twice in copper-pot stills and aged for at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais – according to connoisseurs’ website www.cognac.com
Fans of the tipple – apart from moi – have included Charles Dickens and Napoleon Bonaparte, who ordered it to be given to his troops in the morning. Now there’s even a Fête Du Cognac, this year from 25 to 27 July, with tastings of Cognac, Pineau des Charentes (a Cognac-based aperitif), wine and regional cuisine, with concerts on the banks of the River Charente in the evening.
If you can’t make it on those dates, many Cognac houses open their doors to the public. These include my favourite, Courvoisier in Jarnac – www.courvoisier.com – Martell in Cognac – www.martell.com – and Brard Blanchard – www.brardblanchard.fr/eng/home – organic producers of Cognac and Pineau since 1972, in Boutiers-Saint-Trojan.
The second best thing to do in the area is eat, and this being France, there are plenty of good restaurants around. Try lunch at Le P’tit Yeuse in Rue de Bellevue and dinner at Bistro de Claude, in Rue Grande, both located in Cognac.
The covered market in Cognac is always a great place to ogle local products and pick up some goodies to take home – it’s open every day except Monday. If you want to know more about the so-called ‘liquor of the gods’, visit Musée des Arts du Cognac in Les Remparts.
And, of course, if you’ve not already liberated a bottle of your preferred Cognac to take home, pop into La Cognathèque, in Place Jean- Monnet, Cognac, which sells more than 270 varieties. A la vôtre!
Stay at the four-star François Premier hotel in Cognac, from ¤155 per night: +33 (0)5 45 80 80 80, www.hotelfrancoispremier.fr/
easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Flybe all offer flights from various UK airports to either La Rochelle or Poitiers. You can also fly to Paris or take the Eurostar, then board a TGV to Poitiers and other cities in the region: 0844- 848 4078, www.raileurope.co.uk
For more information on the region: www.visit-poitou-charentes.com
Go Gatsby
The Milestone Hotel, Kensington, London, has a one-night Roaring 20s Break inspired by the new film The Great Gatsby. Included is: a copy of the book, a chauffeur driven Bentley to Floris in Sloane Square to choose £50-worth of scent, two tickets to the film, cocktails, and English breakfast. From £576 per double room.
020-7917 1000, www.milestonehotel.com
Wild and wonderful
The Wild Guide: Devon, Cornwall And The South West (Wild Things Publishing, £14.99), features the best secret beaches and wild-swimming locations, top picnic spots and great places to stay, from treehouses and gypsy caravans to hidden hideaways and secluded campsites.
Capital walks
Walk London offers 35 free guided walks in the capital this weekend (25 and 26 May), from Shakespeare’s and Dickens’s London to the legacy of the Olympic Games.
0870-240 6094, www.walklondon.org.uk
Flower show
The first Blenheim Palace Flower Show takes place on 21 to 23 June, with 10 garden landscapes, 150 exhibitors, family activities and gardening experts. Stay at a Four Pillars Hotel from £44 per person per night, including dinner.
0800-849 6500, www.blenheimpalace.com
0800-374692, www.four-pillars.co.uk
The area is especially renowned for Futuroscope, not far from Poitiers, a brilliant theme park that’s the second most popular in France, after the one near Paris featuring a mouse called Mickey. But if it’s an adults-only few days away, you’re never far from yummy food and drink.
The drink Cognac is named after the town of Cognac and is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town. To bear the name Cognac, production methods must meet certain requirements, not least that it has to be made mostly from Ugni Blanc grapes, must be distilled twice in copper-pot stills and aged for at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais – according to connoisseurs’ website www.cognac.com
Fans of the tipple – apart from moi – have included Charles Dickens and Napoleon Bonaparte, who ordered it to be given to his troops in the morning. Now there’s even a Fête Du Cognac, this year from 25 to 27 July, with tastings of Cognac, Pineau des Charentes (a Cognac-based aperitif), wine and regional cuisine, with concerts on the banks of the River Charente in the evening.
If you can’t make it on those dates, many Cognac houses open their doors to the public. These include my favourite, Courvoisier in Jarnac – www.courvoisier.com – Martell in Cognac – www.martell.com – and Brard Blanchard – www.brardblanchard.fr/eng/home – organic producers of Cognac and Pineau since 1972, in Boutiers-Saint-Trojan.
The second best thing to do in the area is eat, and this being France, there are plenty of good restaurants around. Try lunch at Le P’tit Yeuse in Rue de Bellevue and dinner at Bistro de Claude, in Rue Grande, both located in Cognac.
The covered market in Cognac is always a great place to ogle local products and pick up some goodies to take home – it’s open every day except Monday. If you want to know more about the so-called ‘liquor of the gods’, visit Musée des Arts du Cognac in Les Remparts.
And, of course, if you’ve not already liberated a bottle of your preferred Cognac to take home, pop into La Cognathèque, in Place Jean- Monnet, Cognac, which sells more than 270 varieties. A la vôtre!
Stay at the four-star François Premier hotel in Cognac, from ¤155 per night: +33 (0)5 45 80 80 80, www.hotelfrancoispremier.fr/
easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Flybe all offer flights from various UK airports to either La Rochelle or Poitiers. You can also fly to Paris or take the Eurostar, then board a TGV to Poitiers and other cities in the region: 0844- 848 4078, www.raileurope.co.uk
For more information on the region: www.visit-poitou-charentes.com
Travel News
Go Gatsby The Milestone Hotel, Kensington, London, has a one-night Roaring 20s Break inspired by the new film The Great Gatsby. Included is: a copy of the book, a chauffeur driven Bentley to Floris in Sloane Square to choose £50-worth of scent, two tickets to the film, cocktails, and English breakfast. From £576 per double room.
020-7917 1000, www.milestonehotel.com
Wild and wonderful
The Wild Guide: Devon, Cornwall And The South West (Wild Things Publishing, £14.99), features the best secret beaches and wild-swimming locations, top picnic spots and great places to stay, from treehouses and gypsy caravans to hidden hideaways and secluded campsites.
Capital walks
Walk London offers 35 free guided walks in the capital this weekend (25 and 26 May), from Shakespeare’s and Dickens’s London to the legacy of the Olympic Games.
0870-240 6094, www.walklondon.org.uk
Flower show
The first Blenheim Palace Flower Show takes place on 21 to 23 June, with 10 garden landscapes, 150 exhibitors, family activities and gardening experts. Stay at a Four Pillars Hotel from £44 per person per night, including dinner.
0800-849 6500, www.blenheimpalace.com
0800-374692, www.four-pillars.co.uk