Chassors: Oak, Wine and History
Accommodation in Chassors
Chassors brings together a distinctive oak tree and themes of wine, Cognac and barrel-making. It also features Romanesque details, the history of Saint-Romain Church and the Luchac Chapel. When choosing a destination, it is worth distinguishing between these highlights: they range from the story of a single tree to first-hand insights into production and medieval architectural history.
An oak tree with striking dimensions
The Chassors oak stands at the heart of the village. At 23 metres tall and with a circumference of 477 centimetres measured at a height of 1.50 metres, its size can be described using two different measurements. It is estimated to be 400 to 450 years old. Tradition associates it with the French Revolution and calls it a liberty tree.
Wine, Cognac and cooperage
The terroir of Chassors is considered comparable to the area around Segonzac, which is classified as Grande Champagne.
Le Circuit du ChĂŞne is a wine tourism experience that begins with a visit to a cooperage workshop and continues to the vineyards of Chassors. A cooper demonstrates the individual steps of barrel-making live. The experience introduces the production of Cognac, Pineau and wine, and highlights the skills of coopers, wood-splitters who prepare barrel staves, and distillers. It includes explanations of distillation in a Charentais still, Pineau production and Cognac ageing, as well as a tasting of Pineau, Cognac or wine. Before your trip, check the demonstration date, available format and booking details; contacting the organisers in advance is recommended.
Another highlight is the Cognac workshop at Frères Moine: over 30 minutes, Cognac eaux-de-vie from Fin Bois and Grande Champagne are compared in a tasting. Reservations are required for this workshop.
Church, chapel and exhibition
In 1107, the Bishop of Saintes transferred Saint-Romain Church to Saint-Cybard d’Angoulême Abbey, which founded a priory there. Romanesque capitals depict vine leaves and grapes. Remnants of frescoes survive on parts of the choir walls. The church’s history thus encompasses both the founding of the priory and surviving details of its decoration.
Luchac Chapel dates from the 19th century and is used occasionally. Preswar Expo, above the Frères Moine distillery, currently hosts an exhibition of screen prints, paintings, collages, metal sculptures and photographs. Individual exhibits may change.
Travel planning: bus route
Route JAR03 runs from Chassors via Julienne, Bourg-Charente and Gondeville to Jarnac. Check the timetable and route before travelling, as both should be checked again before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Souffrignac, Julienne, Balzac, Édon, Saint-Saturnin, Vouzan, Yvrac-Et-Malleyrand, Chille.
For the wider travel overview: Charente.
