After an epic road trip through Champagne, I continued my road trip to the region of Cognac in the southwestern part of France. Cognac is a variety of brandy and made of white wine using specific types of grapes. We spent a total of three nights in Cognac and we were only scratching the surface. There is so much to see, do and so much to learn about all of the different types of Cognac. Luckily for you, I’ll be sharing all of the best things to do in Cognac:
1) Stay at l'Yeuse Hotel
L'Yeuse is beautiful and an experience I really enjoyed. The room was very charming, quaint with white and baby blue colors. The rooms offer stunning views of the countryside and the property also has its own terrace with panoramic views. The restaurant at the property is delicious! They source locally from their own garden and farm so everything was super fresh and tasty.
2) Visit Bourgoin Cognac
It was so much fun visiting Bourgoin Cognac's farm and learning about their process. I even bottled my own bottle from start to finish!
3) Tasting & Tour at Château Courvoisier
We had the opportunity to visit and tour Château Courvoisier. I loved learning about how it’s named “the Cognac of Napoleon”. We were able to visit the room of paradise where all the old Courvoisier bottles are currently located, some date back to the French Revolution!
4) Tasting & Tour at Rémy Martin
We spent half the day visiting Rémy Martin, exploring the property, made my own cocktail, enjoyed the VIP Club and had an amazing lunch. I highly recommend making reservations for their VIP Club Package.
5) Tasting & Tour at Hennessy
Tour the birthplace of Hennessy and experience a Cognac tasting. I did not get a chance to visit but I’m definitely going to the next time I’m back in Cognac! The property looks amazing.
We spent a total of three nights in Cognac and we were only scratching the surface. There is so much to see, do and so much to learn about all of the different types of Cognac.
6) Explore Cognac old town
Take a tour around the old town of Cognac. There’s so many cute corners and homes you will want to photograph. If time permits, visit the Royal Castle of Cognac.
7) Cruise on La Charente
Spend an afternoon cruising along the La Charente river with a picnic lunch. For more information on how to plan your day, contact XO Madame
8) Carriage Ride in the vineyards
This was the first time I’ve had a carriage ride through the vineyards and it was so much fun! If you’re looking for a romantic evening, this is a great experience during sunset. Contact XO Madame
9) Diner at La Courtine
Great restaurant with perfect outdoor seating with a view of the river. Get the escargot!
10) Diner at La Ribaudière
This restaurant is a must! It’s a classy restaurant looking over the Charante and has amazing food. Each dish is creative, fresh and one of the best restaurants in Cognac.
I had such a great time exploring Cognac, learning about the history and how Cognac is made. I hope I’ve convinced you to explore this beautiful region and other wine regions in France! I cannot wait to explore more of them myself!
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All credits go to Christine Tran from Tourdelust
