Cognac

Discover the town and countryside of Cognac with its Cognac houses, its centuries of history, and its river. Plunge into the heart of an exceptional wine-growing region just 90 minutes from La Rochelle. During your stay with us, visit the vineyards, meet producers, and step into the distilleries to discover how this world-renowned spirit is produced! From the vine to blending and onto cooperage, cognac (AOC) will no longer seem a mystery to you. Whether you’re a novice, a lover or a connoisseur when it comes to this spirit, the experience will be unforgettable.

The Cognac wine region is the largest in France after the Bordeaux region. It stretches across the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime and spills out into a couple of municipalities in the departments of Deux-Sèvres and the Dordogne. Cognac can only be sold on the market after having been aged for two years minimum in an oak cask. To find out more, head to the Musée des Arts du Cognac, located in a grand townhouse in the old town of Cognac. Covering a 1,600 m² space, it presents the world of this renowned spirit, including its production, as well as the technical, industrial and social history of cognac and the town that gave it its name.

Another must-try beverage of the region is Pineau des Charentes. Whether white, red or rosé, it offers a unique palette of subtle aromas depending on the grapes chosen for production. This unique wine is the result of the combination (called “mutage”) of grape juice and cognac, produced in the area of the appellation. Each Pineau des Charentes is unique, with each one being born out of the expertise of its winemaker and long ageing in an oak cask.