Sud-Ouest France: Culture, Vins Et Campagne

Bonjour! Comment ça va? France is a country that is ripe for the picking and that's just the vineyards! I've been to France numerous times, but its always to the country's Southwest to the Charente-Maritime region that's close to the city of Bordeaux. During my last visit I saw three new places, getting to grips with the countryside, wine and culture during my week long French holiday. Getting to France is quick and inexpensive from England, my flight from Birmingham to Bordeaux took only one hour and twenty minutes, now that's a nippy little flight! 

Bordeaux's located on the banks of 'La Garonne' river that is distantly connected to the famous 'Dordogne' river. I spent the day in Bordeaux where I was amazed by vast amount of historic buildings such as the 'Place de la Bourse' a point of interest that I was really hoping to see, so it's a good job I did! Bordeaux is beautiful, this city surprised me for it had many different personalities that I didn't expect to see, but all were good I promise! I've been to many cities in many different European countries but I found that 'Je ne sais pas' feeling for Bordeaux had a cutesy but sophisticated feeling about its darling city-scape. I loved the 'Rue Sainte-Catherine' for I learnt that its the longest pedistrianised street in the whole of France, now it figures why there was so many shops in a never ending line. 

For many Bordeaux is simply a gateway city, its airport is modest but nothing to shout about so I was very happy to be seeing more than just the airport, because who wants that? I don't! I've not been to Paris but can only imagine that Bordeaux could be classed a little sister for I imagine Paris is just a huge version of this endearing French city. From the quaint side streets to the grand squares, I loved the 'Place de la Comédie' for this regal setting is a great place to people watch as the holidaying Parisians can be spotted a mile off! Like many other provincial French city's Bordeaux is speeding ahead with its developments of high-speed rail but I reached Bordeaux by a standard yet efficient local SNCF train from Montendre to Bordeaux St. Jean Station, a station that has a whole personality of its own. Like I've said before Bordeaux est Belle! 

Whilst in France it's always a key thing to enjoy the finer things in life, but until my most current visit I never realised one small French town held so many world famous brands of Cognac! I made my way to the medieval town of Cognac to find the 'Maison du Hennessy' translated to English means, House of Hennessy. There are many fashion houses in cities like Paris, New York and London but Cognac is home to Courvoisier, Remy Martin and Martell as they all have their 'Maisons' of Brandy. I simply had to try a small measure of the good stuff! It's not just the Cognac spirit that brings people to this charming French town, there are many winding street corners that amazed me. Captured to the right is the 'Maison du Hennessy' that sits on the banks of the 'Charente' river, I'm sure every town within this region has its own river flowing through it? It's fair to say that the only 'Haute Couture' in Cognac is the Brandy!   

Cognac is part of the Poitou Charentes region within South-West France, its part of the many towns that inhibit a fairy-tale feel about themselves. I loved Cognac's small market square which resembled a classy version of a British open air market, it just looked a little bit more French. Back to the Brandy vibe, I found a lovely cafe that faced a regal looking hotel for at that time it was undergoing renovation work for the up-coming summer season. I ordered a small measure of Remy Martin Cognac, well I think it was that variety but non-the-less I savoured the taste and enjoyed every drop, for I do love a good alcoholic beverage! If you're looking for a vintage bottle of the good stuff then take a stroll along the main center streets as there are many shops that specialise in preserved Brandy's that are of many varieties. I say 'Ooh La La!'

During my French holiday I spent most of my time in the hamlet of Chatenet, a serene and peaceful part of the Charente Maritime commune that's mostly made up of countryside and vineyards. I spent one afternoon away from everything to walk down the country lanes that are relatively quiet, with the odd tractor or passing car for its only form of traffic. I loved the pure and organic feeling of the fields and the vineyards that make up most of this area. Holidaying in Chatenet has to be planned with meticulous precision for there is no public transport for miles and hotels are sparsely located in this region, choose a Gîte, which is a holiday cottage that are managed and some owners offer transfers from the nearby Bordeaux airport, but its advisable to hire a care to get around because Chatenet feels like its in a world of its own! 

Captured to above to the left is one of the many vineyards that produce one of France's most famous exports of Wine. Red and white Wine is produced from the grape in this region amongst other grape based beverages that are used within the local community. There's obviously Wine that is the most recognisable product, but there's 'Pineau des Charantes' which is fortified wine and Brandy that's famously known as Cognac, along with the nearby town that's been previously mentioned. Chatenet's best kept secret is 'Eau de Vie' meaning 'Water of Life' its the strongest grape based beverage which acts as a cooking spirit but can also be savoured as a liquor to drink with caution due to its 90% volume. I live in the center of Birmingham's city center so when I had my French holiday I loved the serenity that Chatenet offered me, a welcome change from the hubbub of city life to the quite and laid back pace of French country life. To live the 'Good Life' is what we all look for and I got a taste for one week, I'm such a lucky soul. 

South-West France .... Culture, Wines and Countryside

Joseph Harrison