Cognac, the medieval town that bears the name of the region, is an attractive destination with narrow cobbled streets and elegant Renaissance façades. The town owes its size and historical wealth to King Francois I, who granted Cognac a licence to trade in salt. Today, many of the houses in the town bear the symbol of King Francois - a salamander - which is carved into the building façade.
The medieval Old Town is a narrow maze of cobbled streets, surrounded by beautiful 15th to 18th century buildings and a number of brandy-maturing warehouses. Many of the older houses hare half-timbered, while the more recent houses in the Old Town are made from local white stone.