Jonzac, Charente Maritime

Description:

Geography and Transport

Jonzac is a small town in the south of the Charente Maritime Department, in the heart of Cognac making country (altitude 26m to 87m).  The commune covers an area of 13.09m².  Both the N137 and the A10 pass to the west of the town, carrying traffic north and south.  The nearest airport is at Angouleme (Charente), where budget flights to the UK are available.  The town has a regional rail link (TER).   Jonzac is the capital of the Haute Saintonge territory, the Saintonge ‘region' being the historic centre of Protestantism in France.  Jonzac is within the designated Petite Champagne region of the Cognac appellation.  The River Seugne passes through the town.
See also:  Mirambeau

Climate

The maritime climate here keeps summers warm and winters temperate.  Average summer temperatures are between 24C to 27C (13C to 15C night), and in winter this drops to 9C to 11C (3C to 4C night).  September can be warm, with an average of 22C (12C night).  Wettest months are Oct and Nov (54mm to 57mm), and the driest months are July and Aug (32mm).   Jonzac is within an area that receives over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

Jonzac is a medieval town with a Romanesque Church and a 15^th century town gate and bridge.  Nearby at Meux (8km) is the Chateau de Meux, the early chateau being completed in 1250, but reconstructed after the 100 years war, it is a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture. Jonzac has its own chateau, originally constructed in the 11^th century, but also a victim of the 100 years war, and extensively re-built in the 15^th century.  The 15^th Century Cloitre des Carmes, is now a cultural centre and museum.

Facilities

The municipal base de loisirs at the Huertebise leisure lake offers swimming, a playground and picnic area, and there are sailing boats for hire.  Amongst other activities are archery, climbing and horse-riding.  The Thermal Spa (discovered in 1979) is also sited at this facility, with the hot spring said to have healing properties for treatment of rheumatism and respiratory problems.  A big tourist draw is the Antilles de Jonzac, a large covered aquatic centre (10,000m²) open all year round.  It includes a tropical wave pool, 60m water slide and a host of other health and beauty facilities.

Economy

Chief companies here are SEUDIS (Leclerc supermarkets), and Radoux (wine barrels/cooperage). 

Jonzac is part of the Sud Charente economic zone which has an unemployment rate of 8.8%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006). 

Education

The town has state education at Nursery (2), Primary (1), Secondary School (1) and College (Lycee) levels.

Key Stats

Most of the properties in Jonzac are main residences 76.5%, and 10% of properties are classed as second homes.  There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (29.9% vs 21.3%), and the number of retired people is also higher (25.5% vs 18.2%).  20.7% of the local population are under 19 years of age.  There are fewer males than females resident here (45.1% vs 54.9%).

Key Facilities and Services: