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What is there to see in Cognac?
An extraordinary garden
All generations like to meet, stroll and rest in the Cognac garden.
Philippe Quintard
Green lung of Cognac where all generations like to meet and stroll, the Cognac garden (7 hectares) is one of the rare listed French landscaped gardens open to the public. With two superb mansions at its heart, one housing the town hall and the other the museum, it bears witness to the development and wealth of the city in the 19th century. This superb green space is the work of Édouard André, creator of several gardens in France and around the world. It consists of a succession of landscapes: rose garden, open and wooded areas, cave and artificial stream. At the turn of the alleys, we discover an astonishing neo-Gothic tower, a superb orangery or even a small animal park.
Cognac Garden, 70, boulevard Denfert-Rochereau.
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The heritage of cognac
The Museum of Cognac Know-How: a lively evocation of the viticulture professions aimed at producing the “liquor of the gods”.
Philippe Quintard
The Museum of Cognac Know-How is ideal for understanding the history and socio-economic significance of the “liquor of the gods”. By evoking the professions of viticulture (oenology, distillation, cooperage, packaging, etc.), the exhibitions, built around films, objects, olfactory games, virtual reality headsets, enhance this living heritage. The temporary exhibition “EXEL Patrimoine, machines and men: a history of the wine industry” highlights the links between man, animal and the environment in the practice of viticulture.
Cognac Know-How Museum, Les Remparts, pl. of the Green Room. Temporary exhibition until September 3. Tel. 05 45 36 03 65.
Oak circuit, all the stages of cognac
The Circuit du Chêne, to understand the decisive role of this wood in the aging of alcohols.
Circuit of the Oak
The Monk Brothers, independent winegrowers and distillers, invite you on an original circuit around oak and cognac to explain the decisive role of this wood in the aging of alcohols. This route stops at the mérandier (barrel carpenter), at the cooper, where we see the wood bend and become barrel by the magic of fire and the know-how of the craftsman. At the family distillery, around the still, we learn about the alchemy and subtleties of Charente distillation. And in the cellars, the mysteries of cognac aging. The visit ends with a tasting of different cognacs.
Circuit of the oak, visit of 2 h 30 on reservation. Price: €18/adult, €10/child (free for children under 8). Such. 05 45 80 98 91.
Things to do in Cognac
Pineau workshop
The “pineau workshop” of the Guillon-Painturaud estate allows you to put yourself in the shoes of an assembler.
Domain Guillon-Painturaud
The Guillon-Painturaud estate, in Segonzac, restores its letters of nobility to pineau des Charentes, a subtle blend of grape juice and cognac eau-de-vie, in its “pineau workshop”. After a brief history of the appellation, we assemble your pineau from three samples of white or rosé pineau. By appealing to sight, smell and taste, we create the desired beverage: woody, fruity, acidic, vanilla… It’s up to you to find the right balance! After a tasting of old Pineaux, we leave with our bottle (50 cl) with a customizable label.
“Atelier pineau”, at the Guillon-Painturand estate, place called Biard, 1, rue de l’Ancien-Puits, 16130 Segonzac. Such. 05 45 83 41 95.
Paddle and canoe
The Cognac Canoe Club offers a whole range of circuits (from 3 to 13 km) to enjoy the freshness of the river.
Cognac Canoe Club
The Cognac Canoe Club offers several outing formulas to take advantage of the freshness of the river. From Cognac (place du Solençon), two peaceful circuits of 3 km (1 hour): one offers views of the trading houses and unmissable places of the city, the other of the islands of Galoche and Marquise , these magical corners of nature. An 8 km circuit (2 hours) invites you to navigate it on the Solençon, one of the branches of the Charente: a change of scenery guaranteed. Another option: rental with transport for a half-day circuit in the Charente valley, from Bourg-Charente to Cognac (13 km), or a day (17 km), from Jarnac to Cognac.
Cognac Canoe Club, 1, pl. du Solençon, price and reservation: 06 52 78 31 97.
Along the Charente aboard “La Demoiselle”
Accommodating up to 69 passengers, the barge “La Demoiselle” produces a reduced environmental impact, and with very little noise pollution.
Reproduction “South West”
” Lady “, A modern reinterpretation of the gabarres, these traditional flat-bottomed boats, has taken over the torch of cruises on the Charente since last year. With its hybrid engine, the boat accommodates 69 passengers, for a reduced environmental impact and noise pollution: navigation is done without noise, except that of the lapping of the water. The commented walk of more than an hour and a half allows you to let yourself be seduced by the majesty of this river and learn more about its history (Saint-Jacques gate, Royal, Bagnolet and Chatenay castles, trading houses, etc.) and its natural riches.
Caption: Accommodating up to 69 passengers, the “La Demoiselle” barge produces a reduced environmental impact, and with very little noise pollution
Where to eat in Cognac
Creative cuisine
A little away from the historic center, on the other side of the Charente, the Poulpette restaurant, with its workshop-style decor, offers delicate, creative and atypical cuisine. Antoine Vernouillet, a discreet young chef, who has worked for several stars in Paris and Brussels, works on a reduced menu and organic products of incomparable freshness (no stock or cold room). Flavors and textures are harmoniously associated, like the John Dory dish served with shiitake broth, lemongrass and herbs. All the dishes, as beautiful as they are good, served on artisanal dishes, are prepared under the eyes of the customers, in a friendly atmosphere.
Octopus, 46, av. of Lattre-de-Tassigny. €19 to €24 for a dish, from Tuesday to Friday. Such. 05 45 82 22 08 (reservation recommended).
In the shade of the wisteria
La Belle Époque: impeccable hospitality, a charming patio and bistro-style cuisine for the oldest restaurant in town.
Philippe Quintard
The good times is the oldest restaurant in town: it dates from the 17th century! From this period, remains the old staircase (listed as a Historic Monument), preserved during the reconstruction of the building in the 19th century. A very pleasant place, with an impeccable welcome, with a patio full of charm, adorned with a small pond and a superb wisteria: a very popular location. The tables under the arcades are ideal on hot days. The Italian chef offers bistronomic dishes influenced by his country of origin, with fresh and seasonal products.
La Belle Époque, lunch menu: €22 (two courses) and €27 (three courses). 25, rue d’Angouleme. Such. 05 45 82 01 26.
Where to have a drink in Cognac?
The rooftop of the 5-star Chais Monnet hotel: a good-natured atmosphere, a magnificent view and creative cocktails (with or without alcohol).
Philippe Quintard
Cocktails with a view
The art of mixology is unveiled high up on the rooftop of the 5-star hotel Chais Monnet. At sunset, the place offers a magnificent view of the city and the Charente valley. Chic and cozy atmosphere but also relaxed, good-natured. This year, the space has a pétanque court and music evenings are planned for Friday and Saturday evenings. As for cocktails (€9 without alcohol and €12 with alcohol), classics and creations, like the VIC – Glenlivet 15 years old, blond cigar syrup, homemade vanilla – or the Almost Mojito – Cognac VS, lemon green, sparkling water. To be enjoyed in moderation with homemade tapas.
Rooftop of the 5-star Chais Monnet hotel, from 5:50 p.m., av. Paul-Firino-Martell.
Where to sleep in Cognac?
Opt for the unusual
Le Quai des Pontis: unusual accommodation in a superb park.
Philippe Quintard
Hard not to spot the Quai des Pontis, with its impressive brick chimney: this hotel occupies a rehabilitated former industrial site on the banks of the Charente. Besides its 27 classic rooms, it offers unusual accommodation within a superb park. Lodges on stilts, caravans and, the must, two cabins overlooking the Charente (4 people maximum) with a relaxing view of the river. These accommodations have a small kitchenette and a terrace, where you can have breakfast, unless you prefer the terrace overlooking the park. The icing on the cake: the heated swimming pool.
Quai des Pontis, 16, rue des Pontis. From €88 for 2 people. Rates and reservation: 05 45 32 47 40.
The good life
Le Logis des Tourelles: a charming guest house in an exceptional location in the historic heart of Cognac.
Logis des Tourelles
Former 19th century private mansion, the Logis des Tourelles is a guest house full of charm in an exceptional location: a large wooded park with swimming pool and parking spaces in the historic heart of Cognac. It has five spacious and comfortable rooms (four for two people and one suite for three people) with refined decoration. Renovated three years ago, the place has preserved historical elements such as the floor, the columns and the staircase. Savory and sweet breakfast, offered in the garden or in the large dining room, with organic, farm and/or local products.
Le Logis des Tourelles, 40, rue du Charmant, from €235 (breakfast included). 06 84 30 80 28.
Sleep in art
The hotel-restaurant spa L’Yeuse has given carte blanche to graffiti artists to transform the rooms into works of art.
Hotel L’Yeuse
Overlooking the superb Charente valley, the hotel-restaurant spa L’Yeuse broke the aristocratic codes of his 19th century home by giving carte blanche to graffiti artists to transform the rooms into works of art. One instruction: draw inspiration from local roots and the relationship with nature. Unique rooms, bubbles of tranquility with a view of the respectful Garden (to visit), below, and of the valley. The hotel has 21 rooms and 3 suites, one of which can accommodate six adults. Art is omnipresent in the establishment, with in particular this astonishing sculpture in the dining room: a tree made of staves (planks) of cognac barrels.
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