Combine a cruise on the Charente with a visit to the Houses of Cognac

Prepare your cruise on the Charente and your visits to the Houses of Cognac*

Why not take a houseboat cruise on the Charente to discover the Houses of Cognac and the secrets of their production? Discover their stories, experiences and addresses to help you prepare for your next cruise on the Charente!

A cruise on the Charente to discover the history of Cognac

Before embarking on a cruise on the Charente, it's essential to delve into the history of the creation of cognac. It all began in the 15th century, when the first distillations were carried out to preserve the wine. In the 18th century, this technique evolved, giving rise to cognac. In 1909, cognac became the first spirits region to obtain the status of Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), guaranteeing strict production standards. Today, cognac embodies luxury and quality, whether enjoyed on its own, in cocktails or used in cooking. It is made from specific grape varieties and aged in oak casks for at least two years, with classifications such as VS (very special = minimum 2 years), VSOP (very superior old pale = minimum 4 years) and XO (extra old = minimum 10 years) depending on its age. Did you know that cognac is exported to over 95% of the world's countries?

Cognac houses to visit on a Charente river cruise

If you're thinking of taking a cruise on the Charente and visiting some of the Maisons de Cognac, you've come to the right place! We have carefully selected the Maisons not to be missed, and here's an overview of their history and the unique experiences they offer to help you make the best choice.

The House of Hennessy

Would you like to taste Hennessy Cognac during your cruise on the Charente? La Maison offers you :

• HENNESSY INITIATION: Take a 1? hour tour to discover the history and expertise of the House. The tour ends with a tasting of Hennessy V.S sec and Hennessy V.S.O cognacs. The cost of the tour is €25/person.
• HENNESSY X.O EVOLUTION: Discover one of the House's most emblematic blends and take part in a themed tasting of Hennessy X.O. The tour lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs €55/person.

Address: Quai Richard Hennessy, 16100 Cognac.

The Camus House

Maison Camus is a famous cognac house founded in Cognac in 1863. It is one of the last great independent, family-run cognac houses, and is best known for its range of top-quality fine cognacs and its rigorous selection of terroirs.

Maison Camus offers a number of different experiences, so don't hesitate to stop off during your cruise on the Charente:

• Vertical Fine Island: this 1? hour tasting will take you on a discovery of single-origin cognacs with a maritime character for €25/person.
• Horizontal Intense Classique: This tasting will introduce you to the slow alchemy of ageing the House's cognacs. You will take part in a tasting of the classic cognacs (Very Special, VSOP and XO). The tour lasts around 90 minutes and costs €35 per person.

Address: 29 rue Marguerite de Navarre, 16100 Cognac. +33 (0)5 45 32 28 28

The Courvoisier House

Courvoisier is one of France's most famous and prestigious cognac houses, easily accessible on a Charente river cruise. It was founded in 1828 by Félix Courvoisier in Jarnac, Charente. Courvoisier is a renowned brand of cognac, appreciated for its fine eaux-de-vie and its history linked to Napoléon Bonaparte.

Would you like to find out more about the history of Courvoisier?

Take a tour and relive Félix Courvoisier's first steps. You'll discover the subtle art of distillation, ageing and blending unique to the House of Courvoisier. You'll have the chance to enter the Renard cellar, an emblematic place where you can enjoy a unique experience at the heart of the House's history and expertise! You'll taste Courvoisier VS, VSOP and XO cognacs. The visit costs €20/person.

Address: 2 Place du Château, 16200 Jarnac.

The House of Martell

Martell was founded in Cognac in 1715 by Jean Martell. This makes it one of the oldest Cognac houses. Over the centuries, it has become synonymous with quality and craftsmanship.

Fancy a break during your cruise on the Charente? We recommend a guided tour of the Maison Martell. You'll take part in the bottling of a watch in a secret room. And end your visit with a tasting of dry cognac and cocktails at the magnificent Indigo by Martell rooftop bar. The tour costs €75/person and is available for groups of 2 or more.

Address: 16 avenue Paul Firino Martell, 16100 Cognac. 05 45 36 34 98

The House of Meukow

Maison Meukow is a famous cognac distillery, founded in 1862 in Cognac by two brothers, Auguste-Christophe and Gustave Meukow. The distillery is particularly well known for its production of top-of-the-range cognacs, including VS, VSOP, XO and special cuvées. Stop off on your houseboat cruise on the Charente and take a guided tour of the Chai Paradis, which houses the company's treasures. You'll discover the history of the House and its expertise through a guided tour featuring a modern and innovative scenography. Finish with a tasting of three cognacs, including a Meukow XO. The tour lasts 1 hour and costs €10/person.

Address: 26 rue Pascal Combeau, 16100 Cognac. 05 45 82 32 10

The House of Baron Otard

Baron Otard is a historic cognac distillery established at Château de Cognac in 1795. It produces a range of top-quality cognacs, aged in French oak casks. Their commitment to tradition and quality has made them a benchmark in the world of cognac.

The House offers several tours to take you on a sensory journey!

• At the heart of the Château: On this tour, you'll discover the Château de Cognac, a historic monument and the birthplace of François I, its history and some of the secrets behind Cognac production. The tour ends with a tasting of your choice: VSOP BARON OTARD & VSOP D'USSÉ cocktails or VSOP & XO BARON OTARD. The tour lasts around 1h15 and costs from €18 to €24/person.
• Secret des Chaix: This tour will take you back in time, from the Middle Ages to the present day, as you discover the natural conditions of ageing. You will taste the different BARON OTARD VSOP, XO & EXTRA cognacs in the heart of the dry and wet cellars, with the extraction taking place before your very eyes! You can also explore the Renaissance rooms and the King's flats, which are usually closed to the public. The tour lasts around 1? hours and costs €75/person.

Address: 127 Boulevard Denfert Rochereau, 16100 Cognac

We hope we've inspired you to take a Charente river cruise and discover the various Cognac houses along the river!

*Tastings are reserved for adults over the age of 18. *ALCOHOL ABUSE IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR HEALTH, CONSUME IN MODERATION.