Cognac

Guide of Charente

Travel Guide > France > Poitou-Charentes > Charente > Cognac

Renowned for its brandy, the city of Cognac is situated on both sides of the Charente river and benefits from a pleasant setting. Besides its famous gastronomic speciality, Cognac has preserved a number of historic houses, buildings and monuments, such as the Valois castle, the Saint-Jacques gateway flanked by twin machiolated, round towers, and the Saint-Léger church built in the 12th century, evidence of its rich past.

The Château of Cognac, in which François I was born in 1494, has been home to the company Otard Cognacs since 1795. The Château is open to the public and offers such treasures as a Governor's Lodge, several Renaissance rooms, a Helmet Room and of course cellars full of Cognac.

Dedicated to the popular arts and traditions of the Cognac and the surrounding countryside, the Cognac museum, situated in the Dupuy d'Angeac town house, also exhibits collections of ceramic, archaeology, decorative arts and fine art, such as paintings and sculptures.

The Arts museum of Cognac, housed in the Perrin de Boussac town house, recounts the history of Cognac (the brandy) and explains its production process through an exhibition of objects and documents.

Several important Cognac houses are open to the public for brandy cellar visits and tastings.

A key event of the city is the prestigious Cognac Detective film festival, which takes place in June.