Genté
A Celtic word from Genté (De Agento) meaning "Village at the foot of the heights".
Mayor
M. Christian Valtaud
Contact Details
Mairie
16130 Genté
Email : mairiedegente@wanadoo.fr
Tel : 05.45.83.73.97
Fax: 05.45.83.64.34
Opening hours :
Monday 08.30 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 16.30,
Wednesday 08.30 to 12.45 and 14.00 to 16.30,
Friday : 08.30 to 12.00
Permanence of Mayor and deputy :
Monday 11.00 to 12.15 : Mr Raud, deputy
Wednesday 11.00 to 12.45 : Mr Valtaud, Mayor
Friday 11.00 to 12.30 : Mr Valtaud, Mayor
Area: 1 159 Ha
Population: 877
Presentation
The commune of Genté is situated along the hillsides of the Grande Champagne region, 5 miles to the South of Cognac.
History
During the Middle Ages, Genté was part of the lands belonging to Cognac and Merpins and was ruled over by the Lords of Cognac - firstly Arnaud through to Guy de Lusignan who, failing to prosper in his role as the local lord, passed the titles and lands of Salles and Genté to his nephew, Guy de Mortemer, in 1281. The Mortemer family held the seat of Genté up until 1561 when Gaston de Rochefoucault succeeded to the title.
Patrimoine
Heritage
A must see is the Vauclusien fountain whose stone basins were once used to wash the villagers laundry. .
The Roman church dedicated to Saint Médard and which dates from the 12th and 14th Centuries is also well worth visiting.
From the panoramic table, you can get a wonderful 360° view over the Cognac producing vineyards of the Grand Champagne region..
