02 Jun 2023
Tags: France, Cognac, Spirit, National Day, Drinks, travel
Cognac, an exceptional spirit… and a tourist destination!
Cognac is a lively spirit in every sense of the word.
First and foremost, cognac is an alcoholic drink – an internationally renowned eau-de-vie that inspires joie de vivre near and far.
But Cognac is also a reminder of a long history and rich gastronomic and cultural heritage. There's the historic town of Cognac, birthplace of France's great Renaissance king, Francis I, and home to most of its major cognac houses. There is also a beautiful region proudly carrying the same name, buffeted by the Atlantic, draped in vineyards and devoted to exacting traditions that have been centuries in the making. Other iconic towns such as Angoulême, Jarnac, Saintes and La Rochelle round out the region's appeal, as do its famous maritime communities such as those on Oléron Island. The area boasts large numbers of experiences such as iconic Cognac houses tours, Cognac tasting, cruising along the Charente river, hot-air ballooning, cycling along the Flow Velo route as well as unique places to stay for all budgets. Read below for the tourism initiatives launched in 2023.
Finally, Cognac is a lively state of mind – a proud devotion to creative authenticity brought to life through evocative experiences and a commitment to excellence.
Fittingly, there's no one way to live Cognac. In fact, there are as many ways to live it as there are to visit it, a boast captured by the subtle, powerful and elegant complexity of its namesake elixir.
Now is always a great time to Explore Cognac and experience its spirit.
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National Cognac Day – 4th June
All Cognac lovers around the world are invited to raise their glass on 4th June for National Cognac Day. For the connoisseurs, it's an occasion to sip their favourite drink; for the novice, it's the perfect time to discover this iconic and versatile spirit – learn about its production, the Cognac region, and the difference between VS, VSOP and XO. While Cognac has heritage roots, this spirit continues to reinvent itself in the shaker. On 4th June, discover the diversity of Cognac with the Summer Days cocktail. Savour it while preparing your next trip to the region, which offers a thousand opportunities to explore an exceptional spirit and territory.
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New in 2023
Luxury 5* hotel – La Nauve
Opening in Cognac in spring 2023, this five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel has 12 luxurious, individually designed rooms, a gastronomic restaurant managed by a top Parisian chef, a cocktail bar and a brasserie, all set in a Belle-Epoque mansion and a transformed cognac distillery surrounded by a stunning 11-acre park and herb/vegetable garden.
Immersive, virtual reality experience – Hennessy
Launching in May 2023, Mobilis is inspired by the sketches that Richard Hennessy, founder of Hennessy, scribbled on his worktable blotters in 1765. The immersive experience, part of a reimagined tour of Hennessy, is an exploration of craftsmanship and pioneering spirit designed by artists Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Deygas.
A living cognac eco-museum – Domaine Tesseron
The Musée du Vigneron–Bouilleur de Crus is a cognac wine museum at the Domaine Tesseron. It appeals to all senses through the history and heritage of the Tesseron family since 1850, the arts and fragrances of Cognac and discovery of the aromas of Pineau des Charentes and cognac through 10 fragrance-releasing pipes.
www.domaine-tesseron.com/ecomusee-du-cognac
Cognac biodiversity trail – Boinaud
This 2.5-mile walking tour of the Boinaud vines brings to life a guiding ethos: “We respect the land where our vines grow and the healthier our soil, the more fertile it will be.” A mobile app connects to 12 interactive terminals along the itinerary, which finishes in a tasting cellar amongst 41 alembics (stills).
Eco-tour via electric Méhari – Rémy Martin
A Méhari is a discontinued, compact, off-road utility vehicle introduced by Citroën in 1968. A newly converted electric Méhari takes up to three visitors on a 2½-hour sensory tour of Rémy Martin vineyards near Cognac. The excursion specifically explores how this famous brand deals with environmental issues.
All-terrain electric scooter tour – Martell by Vitiscoot
Hop on a Vitiscoot – an all-terrain electric scooter – at Martell to discover its sustainable viticulture… and the beauty of Charente. When done, stop in their innovative boutique-workshop to fill a numbered and personally engraved (in gold or silver) bottle directly from the 610-litre cask of a special blend.
Horseback ride in the Oléron vineyards – Dream Pony
The Dream Pony horse farm is the departure point for a one-hour horseback ride (open to all experience levels) through the heart of the nearby Oléron vineyards.
Vineyard tour in a classic car – Cognac by 2CV
In a classic 2CV Citroën, Irène steers you through the glorious landscapes of Charente, pausing to taste the product of the region's great cognac estates and perhaps meet with a winemaker.
xomadame.com
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PRESS CONTACT IN THE UK – Explore Cognac
Marine Teste – Head of PR – Atout France UK & Ireland
