The 9 things to do in Cognac

Visit Cognac: what are the things to see and the experiences to live in this remarkable city of Charente?

The Charente city, at the origin of the famous water-of-life, owes its universal reputation to its superb terroir. He is a guest of the city, and he discovers himself through his streets, museums and workshops, stops to visit Cognac. But if the history of the city is related to that of its cognac, it is not limited to it.

Witness to History France , the city houses an important heritage, shows a beautiful cultural dynamism and has pleasant natural spaces. Would you like to go to discover this renowned destination? Here is our list of things to do in Cognac!

1. The Château de Cognac

The Château de Cognac dominates the Charente river. A former fortress of the 10th century and birthplace of Francis I (1494), the historic monument was saved from the destruction by Baron Otard in the 19th century. The cognac house manager had understood that the thickness of the walls of the building provided exceptional conditions for the aging of his life-shows.

Nowadays, the two lives of the castle are visible and contrated during organized visits, unusual routes to be made in Cognac. Thus, these visits follow an amazing circuit that begins in the historical part of the place and ends in the chais with a tasting of the production.

2. The house of the Placetenance

Visiting Cognac is also discovering centuries-old architectures. Thus, one of the emblems of the city is the house of La Lieutenance, which is also called the Old House. Built according to the architecture of the Middle Ages, its recent history is linked to that of the Prunier House.

It served as a point of sale to the cognac company during the interwar period. However, the building was purchased by the descendants of the Prunier family later in 1970. Since then, the house of La Lieutenance serves as a showcase for the products of the cognac house.

3. The Museum of Cognac Arts

What to visit in Cognac? Don't miss the Cognac Arts Museum! The property dedicates its 1,600 m2 to the history of the city, to its terroir and to the secrets of the manufacture of the famous water-of-life.

Thus, it forms a set with the Espace découverte en pays du cognac. Organised on nearly 400 m2 and two levels, the latter gives access to numerous information about viticulture, oenology, distillation, tonnellerie, trade... and everything that allows the cognac trade.

4. The cognac houses

With an international reputation, cognac became a Appellation of Origin Contrôlée (AOC) in 1936. Thus, this treasure of the terroir can be analysed under all seams during exciting visits to cognac houses. The city counts a number of them, they draw their pins through their ranges but also thanks to their more or less recent stories.

Thus we can quote: ABK6, Bache-Gabrielsen, Baron Otard, Maison Boinaud, Camus, Cognac Courvoisier, A. De Fussigny, Maison Frapin, Hennessy, Thomas Hine & C°, Martell, Meukow, Rémy Martin, Roullet-Fransac and Tiffon-Braastad. Emblematic cognac houses that allow the city to shine around the world. As a reminder, cognac production is exported to 98%!

On the way to visit, you can prefer the most rare houses such as Baron Otard in the castle of Cognac, Hennesy, whose circuit includes navigation, or Remi Martin, labeled Enterprise of the Living Heritage. A unique experience to do in Cognac.

5. The public garden of Cognac

The public garden of Cognac was born from the meeting of two properties: the Hotel Otard de la Grange, current Hotel de Ville, and the Hotel Dupuy d’Angeac, now the Municipal Museum.

Ranked since 1943, it has the characteristics of a garden in English. The seven hectares of green space are organized in lawns and bosquets, they form boring lines and emblematic perspectives of this style.

During your walk in the garden, you can see a pagoda, an orangery, a theatre of Nature, caves and waterfalls. There is even a pretty neo-Gothic tower that is listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historical Monuments. It is nicknamed "factory".

6. Street-art works by Wonderwall

Historical Monuments are not the only elements of the city that push to contemplation. In the heart of Cognac, the Dog Association collective created an open-air art gallery called Wonderwall.

This street-art course allows you to admire the colorful work of the city’s graffiti. Situated across the city, they are perfectly integrated into its streets. An unusual visit to Cognac.

7. Walks on the river Charente

Renowned "the most beautiful stream of the kingdom" by Henri IV, Charente was long the main commercial route between the Atlantic coast and the hinterland. At the time, it was covered by heavy gauges, flat-bottomed boats specially made to carry goods. Among them: the Cognac’s life-giving waters they carried to the sea!

Nowadays it is possible to borrow the river for a boat cruise. If it starts Saint-Simon , about 20 kilometers from the city, it is among the must-see activities to be done in Cognac and its surroundings.

8. The festivals

Throughout the year, Cognac vibrates at the rhythm of many events. Historical or cultural, connected or not to its territory, they testify to the cultural dynamism of the city.

One of the city's most impressive appointments is historic show which takes place in July, at the foot of the Château de Bourg-Charente. On the banks of the Charente, he tells the story of Cognac in eleven screened paintings.

His most prestigious festival is Cognac Blues Passions . He saw artists like Ray Charles, BB King and Joe Cocker on the scene of the City's Nature Theatre. City of letters, Cognac also welcomes a Polar festival since 1996 and the European Literature event.

Finally, since the city is attached to its terroir, cognac is celebrated in several events: Cognac Festival , Festi ‘Classic in Cognac Country , which combines music and cognacs, and Marathon of cognac a convivial, gourmet and sporting event.

9. Local specialties

Cognac has a very fragrant terroir. In addition to the grapes used in its cognacs, the city is a truffle land. Between 1870 and 1910, the department was even one of its major producers. Nowadays, on the market of Jarnac, on the outskirts of Cognac, it is possible to buy truffles controlled by the trade union of the Charente truffle farmers.

On site, merchants will give you well-inspired recipe ideas such as the truffle with cognac , a 100% Charente delight. Craftsmen will also enjoy The Baume de Bouteville , a soft balsamic aged in Cognac barrels. Its aromas allow to sublimate shells.

Another Charente gourmet: the horns . These triangular biscuits, initially taste during the Rameaux. Today, they found their place on the shelves of gourmets throughout the region.

How to get to Cognac?

By plane

Cognac has no airport. However, those of La Rochelle (100 km) and Bordeaux (120 km) allow air to come.

To complete the journey, take the train or rent a vehicle. To start the light mind, consider consulting a flight comparison such as Skyscanner , he will inform you of all the good plans of the moment.

By train

The city of Cognac is located on the path of several interesting train lines. They allow you to reach the Atlantic coast and the largest cities in the region without driving. Among the regular links there is Cognac – Angouleme, Cognac – Royan and Cognac – La Rochelle.

By road

If it is located in the heart of a vineyard, Cognac is not isolated. Indeed, you can reach it through the highway A10 , via Saintes or Pons, or the national N10 via Barbezieux or Angouleme.

The distance is about 460 km between Cognac and Paris , 130 km with Limoges 120 km with Bordeaux and 95 km with La Rochelle.

Where to stay in Cognac?

In Cognac you can enjoy an impressive range of accommodations: tipis, gites, guest rooms, hotels, Airbnb ... The options range from the most classic to the most unusual.

To choose the one that suits your expectations, the best is to consult one Compare hotels . The most suitable accommodations for a discovery-oriented stay are located on the banks of the Charente and around the castle of Cognac. On average, at night costs 85€ .