| World Famous Cognac a great day out when staying at our Family Friendly gites in Charente Maritime, South West France |
Cognac is a prosperous town with medieval alleyways that fan out from a delightful riverside quarter. Here you'll
find the largest concentration of chais or wine cellars where fine brandy or Cognac is matured. It's not hard to spot
these world famous chais as their walls are covered with fungi that thrives on the alcohol fumes given off during the
maturing process. There are many Cognac houses to visit including Otard or Hennessy Cognac (above) which
keeps 180,000 barrels in stock. Here (and in most distilleries) you'll discover the fine art of Cognac making and the
secret of blending as all run regular tours throughout the year and all end with a tasting. There are also plenty of
additional sights including the Ancien Chateau - a 15th-16th-century chateau (now home to Cognac Otard) where
the Valois clan lived and where Francois I was born. The town has some lovely shops and great restaurants too. We
recommend a tour around one of the houses followed by lunch in the town and then a trip to the Andre Mermet park
which has loads of fun things for children including bouncy castles and a splash pool in peak season.
find the largest concentration of chais or wine cellars where fine brandy or Cognac is matured. It's not hard to spot
these world famous chais as their walls are covered with fungi that thrives on the alcohol fumes given off during the
maturing process. There are many Cognac houses to visit including Otard or Hennessy Cognac (above) which
keeps 180,000 barrels in stock. Here (and in most distilleries) you'll discover the fine art of Cognac making and the
secret of blending as all run regular tours throughout the year and all end with a tasting. There are also plenty of
additional sights including the Ancien Chateau - a 15th-16th-century chateau (now home to Cognac Otard) where
the Valois clan lived and where Francois I was born. The town has some lovely shops and great restaurants too. We
recommend a tour around one of the houses followed by lunch in the town and then a trip to the Andre Mermet park
which has loads of fun things for children including bouncy castles and a splash pool in peak season.
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The park nearby, a great place to treat the kids to after your visit around one of
the Cognac houses. Theres even a large paddling pool, so take the swimmers
too.
the Cognac houses. Theres even a large paddling pool, so take the swimmers
too.
Don't be put off going just because you have kids.
The Hennesey tour is 1hr15 but its fast moving
and starts with a boat trip. Once inside the Chai,
you never stop anywhere longer than 5 minutes.
Theres lots to see and keep even the littlest ones
looking around them. Take some snacks and a
buggy and keep reminding them about the park
afterwards ! If (as children can do) they have a
screaming fit, you can easily leave the tour and
rejoin once things have calmed down. Other tours
have a train or a dungeon to keep them interested.
Its well worth the risk we promise you !!
The Hennesey tour is 1hr15 but its fast moving
and starts with a boat trip. Once inside the Chai,
you never stop anywhere longer than 5 minutes.
Theres lots to see and keep even the littlest ones
looking around them. Take some snacks and a
buggy and keep reminding them about the park
afterwards ! If (as children can do) they have a
screaming fit, you can easily leave the tour and
rejoin once things have calmed down. Other tours
have a train or a dungeon to keep them interested.
Its well worth the risk we promise you !!
Cognac town is lovely, with cobbled streets and lots of shops and restaurants.
You could park your car for free by the river and right next to Hennesey,
Martell and Otard, book your tour and take a stroll into the town for a coffee
or lunch. After the tour, it is just a short drive to the park where you can get an
ice cream and the children can let off some steam.
You could park your car for free by the river and right next to Hennesey,
Martell and Otard, book your tour and take a stroll into the town for a coffee
or lunch. After the tour, it is just a short drive to the park where you can get an
ice cream and the children can let off some steam.