Cognac is a small French town located slightly inland off the south western French coast. Cognac lies in peaceful countryside, not too far from the coast. Because of its inland location conditions are not as mild as its coastal counterparts but Cognac is still near enough to the coast to be influenced by the oceanic influences. The Cognac climate is best summed up by calling it Mediterranean. The summers are long (particularly when compared with northern France) and the winters are mild. The Cognac region lies at a point where rich soil meets a microclimate. The microclimate results from the combination of influences from inland France and the nearby sea.
Rainfall in the area is sufficient and the region as a whole sees an average annual temperature of about 13°C (55 ºF) June and September each see daily averages of about 17°C - 18 °C , and July and August are the warmest months with daily averages of 19°C to 20 °C. Summer brings longer days which enables you more hours of sunlight to explore to picturesque cobbled streets of Cognac. The town is close enough to the coast to experience the cooling evening winds which bring relief from summer heat.
Spring is a fantastic time to visit anywhere in France, as you not only avoid the hoards of tourists that flock to the country in the summer months but you also avoid the higher temperatures that July and August play host to. Spring also sees the flowers sprouting in colour and the trees blooming. The grass is greener after the rainfall front the winter months and the vibe is electric as people are making the most of the longer days in the sun. Cognac is no exception to this, and as it lies in lush countryside it is particularly beautiful in the spring months. May is especially enjoyable, with a daily average of 14°C.
Daily temperatures begin to really cool down come November, which sees a daily average of about 9 °C , before falling to 5°C to 6 °C throughout December to February.
Other Information
The quaint town lies between the towns of Angouleme and Saintes, and sits upon the bank of the River Charentes. The majority of the town is built upon the left bank of the river, so this is where most of the action is. On the right hand bank of the river you will find the area known as the Saint Jacques district. Obviously if youâre visiting Cognac youâll have a good idea of what youâre in for, drinking the driving force of this town's economy- the double-distilled spirit that is named after the town and the surrounding region.
Cognacis the name of the region and also the town. The town of Cognac is situated in a lower lying part of the region, so donât visit the area expecting to find the famous wineries that are abundant in nearby Bordeaux, Bergerac or other parts of the Cognac region. The farmland around Cognac town is unsuitable for winemaking, so is used predominantly for growing cereals. However what Cognac does produce with the worldâs best known brandy, the aptly named Cognac brandy. The town of Cognac is one of only three officially demarcated brandy regions in Europe.
The countryside around Cognac is spectacular and is topped off by the slow moving Charente river which King Fran§ois I called the loveliest river in his kingdom. Cognac lies one hundred miles north of Bordeaux and lies within a twenty-mile area called the 'golden circleâ of cognac production.
