Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Museum · Cognac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Cognac Museum of Know-How
Municipal museum dedicated to the history of cognac, from the vineyard to distillation, aging and trade, housed in the Perrin de Boussac mansion and a contemporary building near the Charente.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cognac Museum of Know-How
The Cognac knowledge museum opened in 2004 under the name Museum of the Arts of Cognac. It occupies the Perrin de Boussac mansion, whose façade is protected as a historic monument, and a contemporary building attached to the old city walls, on Place de la Salle Verte.
The route, on two floors, follows the path of the eau-de-vie. It begins with the land and the vineyard, goes through distillation in the copper still and aging in oak barrels, and reaches trade, bottles, labels and advertising. Objects, tools, machines and posters show how a local drink became known worldwide.
The visit uses sounds, images and scented environments to show the stages of production. The museum treats the drink as regional heritage, without highlighting any particular producer.
The museum operates together with the museum of art and history under the common name Les Distillateurs culturels, and both hold the Musée de France label.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour and a half.
Best time
In the morning, to start the day by understanding the town’s history. Opening times vary by season, and the museum is closed on some weekdays; check before you go.
How to get there
It is on Place de la Salle Verte, in the old town, near the river and a few minutes’ walk from the Porte Saint-Jacques.
Tip
Visit it before walking the old town and the river: it explains the darkened façades of the warehouses and the role of the Charente in trade.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cognac Museum of Know-How
What do you learn at the Cognac knowledge museum?
How cognac is made: from the vineyard to distillation in the copper still, aging in oak barrels, and the history of the drink’s trade and advertising.
Does the Cognac knowledge museum belong to a brand?
No. It is a municipal museum, with the Musée de France label, that treats cognac as regional heritage.
Does the museum ticket cover the museum of art and history?
The two museums operate together and the ticket usually covers both. Check the conditions before you go.