The local area
Local information
Saint Genis de Saintonge is a small village about 5 minutes drive from the chateau. It has a small shop, a pharmacy, a café, hair salons and a couple of small restaurants. It also has two petrol stations at the edge of village, on the road to the chateau.
Pons (pronounced ‘pon’) is the nearest small town, at 10 minutes away. It is a very cute spot to go for a walk and have a coffee. It has plenty of restaurants, pharmacies, etc. and a few historic tourist attractions.
The nearest large towns are Saintes and Cognac, which have plenty to see and do. The small towns of Jonzac (which has thermal springs) and Gemozac are both 20 minutes away.
Local information
Saint Genis de Saintonge is a small village about 5 minutes drive from the chateau. It has a small shop, a pharmacy, a café, hair salons and a couple of small restaurants. It also has two petrol stations at the edge of village, on the road to the chateau.
Pons (pronounced ‘pon’) is the nearest small town, at 10 minutes away. It is a very cute spot to go for a walk and have a coffee. It has plenty of restaurants, pharmacies, etc. and a few historic tourist attractions.
The nearest large towns are Saintes and Cognac, which have plenty to see and do. The small towns of Jonzac and Gemozac are both 20 minutes away.
Groceries
If you are travelling from the airport, the shop in Saint Genis is a good place to stop if you want to pick up a few essentials. It also carries a very good gluten free range of products.
If you want to do a larger shop, there are three large supermarkets in Pons. Jonzac and Gemozac both have a Lidl, as well as other supermarkets.
Saint Genis de Saintonge:
Carrefour Express
Mon - Sat 08.00 - 20.00, Sun 09.00 - 13.00
Pons:
E. Leclerc
Mon - Sat 09.00 - 19.30
Leader Price
Mon - Sat 08.00-12.00, 14.00- 20.00, Sun 09.00 - 12.30
Intermarché Super
Mon - Sat 09.00 - 19.30, Sun 09.00 - 12.30
Lidls:
Jonzac and Gemozac
Mon - Sat 8.30 - 19.30
Farmers markets:
Pons:
Wednesday and Saturday 8.00 - 13.00,
Town square
Jonzac:
Tuesday and Friday 8.00 - 12.00,
Place du Marché
Congnac covered market:
Monday to Saturday 8.00 - 13.00,
Place d'Armes
Saintes:
Wednesday and Saturday 7.00 - 13.00,
Marché Saint-Pierre
Tuesday and Friday 7.00 - 13.00,
Place du 11 Novembre
Groceries
If you are travelling from the airport, the shop in Saint Genis is a good place to stop if you want to pick up a few essentials. It also carries a very good gluten free range of products.
If you want to do a larger shop, there are three large supermarkets in Pons. Jonzac and Gemozac both have a Lidl, as well as other supermarkets.
Saint Genis de Saintonge:
Carrefour Express
Mon - Sat 08.00 - 20.00, Sun 09.00 - 13.00
Pons:
E. Leclerc
Mon - Sat 09.00 - 19.30
Leader Price
Mon - Sat 08.00-12.00, 14.00- 20.00, Sun 09.00 - 12.30
Intermarché Super
Mon - Sat 09.00 - 19.30, Sun 09.00 - 12.30
Lidls:
Jonzac and Gemozac
Mon - Sat 8.30 - 19.30
Farmers markets:
Pons:
Wednesday and Saturday 8.00 - 13.00,
Town square
Jonzac:
Tuesday and Friday 8.00 - 12.00,
Place du Marché
Congnac covered market:
Monday to Saturday 8.00 - 13.00,
Place d'Armes
Saintes:
Wednesday and Saturday 7.00 - 13.00,
Marché Saint-Pierre
Tuesday and Friday 7.00 - 13.00,
Place du 11 Novembre
Pons
A short drive from the chateau, Pons is a quiet town with lots of character. It developed as a stop on the Medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, and medieval architecture is evident throughout the town.
Things to see
Le Donjon - Impressive medieval castle with a small museum and a lovely view from the top. Open 14.00 - 18.00
Hopital des Pelerins - Medieval hospital with a small museum and gardens (UNESCO site). Wednesday to Monday 14.00 - 17.30
Église St. Vivien - Small 12th century church
Night market - At the castle, Friday 18.00 - 23.30
Le Chateau des Enigmes - Large chateau with gardens, outside the town. It's mainly a theme park for young children, but you can still enjoy the house and grounds. Open 10.00 - 19.00
Tourist office - Monday to Friday 9.30 - 12.30, 14.00 - 17.30
Places to eat
You can find each of these restaurants in the maps of Pons below, labelled by number.
1. L'Arriere Cour - French restaurant
2. Hotel de Bordeaux Restaurant- French restaurant
3. Cafe du Donjon - French restaurant and cafe
4. Le Francais - French restaurant and bar, bit overpriced
5. Moulins de la vergne - French restaurant outside the town
6. Le Donjon a Pizz' - Pizza
7. Ava - Takeaway pizza
8. Chez Lou - Burgers and pizza
9. Pons Kebab - Greek and Turkish food
10. McDonald’s
11. Le Fournil du Marché - Bakery with very small cafe
Pons
A short drive from the chateau, Pons is a quiet town with lots of character. It developed as a stop on the Medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, and medieval architecture is evident throughout the town.
Things to see
Le Donjon - Impressive medieval castle with a small museum and a lovely view from the top. Open 14.00 - 18.00
Hopital des Pelerins - Medieval hospital with a small museum and gardens (UNESCO site). Wednesday to Monday 14.00 - 17.30
Église St. Vivien - Small 12th century church
Night market - At the castle, Friday 18.00 - 23.30
Le Chateau des Enigmes - Large chateau with gardens, outside the town. It's mainly a theme park for young children, but you can still enjoy the house and grounds. Open 10.00 - 19.00
Tourist office - Monday to Friday 9.30 - 12.30, 14.00 - 17.30
Places to eat
You can find each of these restaurants in the maps of Pons below, labelled by number.
1. L'Arriere Cour - French restaurant
2. Hotel de Bordeaux Restaurant- French restaurant
3. Cafe du Donjon - French restaurant and cafe
4. Le Francais - French restaurant and bar, bit overpriced
5. Moulins de la vergne - French restaurant outside the town
6. Le Donjon a Pizz' - Pizza
7. Ava - Takeaway pizza
8. Chez Lou - Burgers and pizza
9. Pons Kebab - Greek and Turkish food
10. McDonald’s
11. Le Fournil du Marché - Bakery with very small cafe
