Occupying two hills that descend to the banks of the Seugne River, Jonzac is a renowned spa town in the French department of Charente-Maritime. It was established on the site of an ancient Gallo-Roman villa, with a classic château and historic mills among its attractions.
Things to do in Jonzac
In the heart of town is the Château de Jonzac, which has been classified as a Monument Historique since 1913. In existence since the 11th century, the castle has been added to and modified over the years, with a Carmelite monastery established in 1505 and a cloister built in 1657. The north wing of the castle houses the Town Hall, while the beautifully restored cloister features a cultural centre and an archaeological museum.
On the eastern edge of Jonzac is the Moulin a vent du Cluzelet, a historic mill originally built in 1761. Join a guided tour to learn about the traditional manufacturing of flour, then grab a bag to take home with you. Aside from being an important historic landmark, the Moulin a vent du Cluzelet offers spectacular views across the Seugne Valley.
Combine your visit to the Moulin a vent du Cluzelet with a stop at the nearby Moulin a Eau de Chez Bret, which was constructed in 1706 to bring water from the Seugne River to the town’s residents. Watch the paddlewheel in action as the miller explains the driving force of water and how it is now used to produce high-quality walnut oil.
Getting around Jonzac
Jonzac is a 45-minute drive from Saintes and just over an hour from Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and North America. Regular trains connect to the Jonzac railway station, from where it’s just a 10-minute walk to the town centre.