The town of Cognac and the capital of cognac production, has great historical significance with the Chateau des Valois (now the property of Maison Otard) being the birthplace of King François I. So visitors to Cognac can enjoy both a touch of history alongside a cognac journey when they visit, experiencing either the Kings Way (with a trail through the tiny streets of the old town) or the Belle Epoque route (highlighting the 19th century urban development). En route, visitors will encounter the Charente River, the gardens of the town hall, the museums, the Récollet Convent and the François I Square.
Cognac was an important trading port for salt and local wine distribution long before the discovery of the double distillation process that produced the famous drink however it is now synonymous with the eponymous spirit of course.
There is a local saying, all cognac is brandy but not all brandies are cognac. Cognac, termed “the liquor of the gods” by Victor Hugo, owes its character to the warm, humid climate in this part of Western France. Otard, Camus, Hennessy, Martell, Rémy- Martin, Meukow and Courvoisier can all be found here and each offers guided tours of their cellars and vineyards. The vineyards of Cognac constitute the 2nd largest area of production in France after Bordeaux and cover an area of 80,000 hectares. It would be heresy to leave Cognac without a visit to a cellar for a tasting!
Tours of Martell, the oldest Cognac House - Launched in 1715, Martell celebrated its 300th anniversary last year with various new experiences for the public including a celebration of the art and history of the brand. This theme is continued in 2016 with an exceptional opportunity to delve into the company archives as well as have a tasting of the exclusive tercentenary cognac. Alternatively, there’s the Martell Discovery Tour where visitors walk around their historic cellars followed by a tasting of Martell VSOP or the gourmet version, the Martell Prestige Tour with a Cordon Bleu tasting included.
New tours at Hennessy - In May 2016, Hennessy opened a new series of tours that are unique in Cognac. Following in the footsteps of eight generations of the Hennessy family and the Fillioux family of Master Blenders, visitors are immersed in an elegant, creative universe designed in stylish contemporary colours. Based on the stages of the cognac production process, this new journey plays with the senses, creating surprises and evoking emotions. Visitors go behind the scenes and learn all the secrets of this multi-faceted and firmly contemporary brand. All tours start with a solar-powered boat trip on the River Charente to understand its significance to the growth of the brand before returning to the Hennessy warehouse.
- The Signature tour includes the complete circuit of the Maison Hennessy followed by a tasting of the VS and VSOP varieties
- The X.O.Symbole tour adds a particular emphasis on the 1870 creation of XO, its different aromas and ways of tasting
- The Exception tour offers the basic circuit followed by a visit to the Paradise warehouse where the eau-de-vie that is used in certain varieties is aged. The tasting at the termination of the tour includes XO and Paradise cognacs accompanied by savouries created by David Fransoret himself, Chef of the Château de Bagnolet and owner of Maison Hennessy.
- Lastly there is the Hennessy à la carte programme that includes a vineyard trip, visit of the Peu Distillery, coopers (barrel makers) and a tasting designed to better understand the process of ageing and the art of assembling an eau-de-vie.
Where to rest your head:
Le François Premier enjoys a great location in the centre of town and is housed in a Napoleon III building. Completely renovated in 2012, Le Francois Premier has just 21 rooms and 4 suites, decorated with a contemporary feel inspired by the local colours of Cognac. Rooms start at €165 for a double, subject to change.
Le Ligaro in Jarnac is so named after the owners youngest three children - Liam (LI), Gabrielle (GA) and Rose Anna (RO). Located within an historic building, the rooms are renowned for their comfortable beds, restful interiors and luxurious touches. Rates, which are subject to change, start at around €139 per room per night rising to €169 for the unique Tower Room. Round in shape, this unique accommodation is built in a stone tower that is part of the old town walls of Jarnac and enjoys a garden view with a private entrance.
Quais des Pontis is located on the site of a former factory on the banks of the Charente. Offering a variety of accommodation options from gorgeously appointed Romany-styled caravans (€89), to a romantic cabin on the river (€95) to a suite in a gite (€120) there’s something here to suit every taste (rates subject to change).
Where to dine:
- L’Yeuse in Châteaubernard is a member of Chateau et Hotels Collection so good food and great hospitality are a given. Dine in style overlooking the Charente.
- The restaurant L’Arty Show in Cognac has a trendy vintage feel with food made from only the freshest of ingredients, very popular with the locals.
- Le restaurant du Château in Jarnac is the gastronomic hub of Le Ligaro hotel, just a few steps away. Flavoursome and delicious unpretentious food is served in convivial surroundings under the toque of young chef, Ludovic Merle who comes from a family of restaurateurs.
- La Ribaudière in Bourg-Charente near to Cognac on the banks of the Charente is a stunning contemporary-styled Michelin starred restaurant, run by chef Thierry Verrat with his son Julien. Chef Verrat sees himself as an ambassador through his recipes of the very best produce that the area and indeed France has to offer.
Time to shop:
- Conserverie Fleuriet in Rouillac is based in a restored house and gardens where Françoise has dedicated her life to her passion for gardening and cooking resulting in delicious vinegars, preserves and soups with copious useful recipes to boot. Try her vinegar with a baseline of Pineau des Charentes.
- La Cognathèque in Cognac has a tasting workshop which lasts about two and a half hours where you can learn about the history of cognac, how it is made, the grape varietes etc. The shop had the largest selection of cognacs in the world (400 cognacs and 50 Pineaux des Charentes).
- L’Epicerie de la Ribaudière in Bourg-Charente is conveniently situated opposite Thierry Verrat’s restaurant and sells a selection of local produce sourced by the chef.
- The ‘Musée des Arts du Cognac’ is the perfect place to understand the world of cognac with its history and humble beginnings through its development to one of the world’s most recognised alcoholic beverages.
- The Espace Découverte en Pays du Cognac Country is a very useful stopping point for visitors wishing to have an interactive look at the area and its attractions before actually physically visiting them. Emphasis is placed on the River Charente and its role in the development of the cognac business.
- Visiting a cognac house: Most houses have tours such as Hennessy, Martell, Otard, Courvoisier, Rémy Martin and Meukow…Camus even allows visitors to learn how to make cognac in a special workshop.
Photo-credits: Francoise Roch / Destination Poitou-Charentes / Martinelli / Sue Lowry / Region_ALPC / Julia Hasse / Stéphane CHARBEAU / Christophe Mariot / Quais des Pontis / Le restaurant du Château / Conserverie Fleuriet / Saison d’ Or & Co
Notes to Editors: With its equitable climate, Poitou-Charentes – the sunniest part of western France – is an area where you can enjoy many attractions. Visitors may enjoy for example the famous and unique Marais Poitevin, also known as Green Venice, which connects the Poitou and the Vendée; the historic port of La Rochelle with its fine restaurants and magnificent sites; Futuroscope – a theme park for the senses; Cognac and Poitiers, the city of spires. Poitou-Charentes is easily accessed by land, rail, air and sea for more information on getting to the region click here.
This is the perfect family holiday destination with a wealth of well-run campsites, B&B’s, hotels and gîtes to choose from together with wide open spaces to enjoy activities which range from golf to water-sports.