Camping de L'Île Madame

Tour the home of maybe the most famous cognac of them all at the Courvoisier SAS museum (by appointment only, book online) a five-minute walk from the site. Other activities to embrace without jumping in the car include floating along the Charente river from Jarnac, 10 minutes away, where boats and canoes are available to hire. Also in town is the François Mitterrand Cultural Space, an art gallery dedicated to the former French president who lived in the settlement back yonder – his old house is also open to visitors who want to learn more about the leader. You’ll need your wheels for trips to the Dolmen de Garde-Épée neolithic monument and Château de Triac, the latter a castle with wine tasting available, both 10 minutes’ drive away. The abbeys of Saint Etienne of Bassac and Châtres, two grand old buildings, are the same distance away for more quick outings. Stately structures are also to be seen in Cognac (20 minutes), including the royal castle and the old town's handsome houses. And if you haven’t had enough of the city’s famed liquor just yet? The Musée des Arts du Cognac is dedicated to the history and production of the esteemed drink.