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Privacy NoticeWe took a short hop to southwestern France for an altogether more sophisticated take on the typical boozy weekend break. No bar crawls and crazy cocktails here – when we experienced the beautiful town of Cognac it was all about its world-famous spirit, first-class wines and some of the best cuisine in the world. Where to stay in Cognac Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa was converted from a 19th-century trading house into a breathtaking five-star hotel that had us gasping “ooh la la” as we checked in after an easy 75-mile drive from Bordeaux airport. With a mix of heritage-protected and stunning modern architecture, it’s where famous Cognac aficionados such as Usher and Alicia Keys hole up to experience exquisite food, ultra-luxe suites and peerless hospitality. Rooms are vast and in the chicest of pale palettes, the original oak beams giving a sense of the building’s traditional origins. You’ll find every possible comfort, from giant bathtubs to snack- stuffed mini bars and the sumptuous beds are perfection to sink into after a nightcap. READ MORE: ‘I dived into Croatia’s all-in activity holiday head first – you don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy it’
The grand bar at Hotel Chais Monnet
(Image: Albane Photographe)
Where to eat in Cognac The hotel’s restaurant Les Foudres is a Michelin-starred dream, set in the old Cognac cellars. The tasting menu is a wonderful experience – a memorable explosion of flavours accompanied by a perfectly-paired wine selection. Hay-bathed chicken, blue cheese ‘cake’, tiny edible flowers… chef Mathis Debize will surprise and delight you with his innovative creations. We loved the casual dining in the property’s La Distillerie just as much, sampling a range of French classics and signature dishes such as the Perfect Egg – a silky mix with shards of crisp chorizo and Espelette pepper that truly deserves its name. Venture to the town’s covered food market Les Halles for delicious oysters, bread fresh from the boulangerie and the best truffled Brie you’ll ever eat.
One of the incredible dishes at Les Foudres, Chais Monnet’s Michelin-stared restaurant
(Image: © solenne loustalan)
The spa at Chais Monnet There are five treatment rooms at Chais Monnet’s beautiful spa, and after a morning circuit of its fitness room, sensory shower, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi and stunning indoor/ outdoor pool, we booked in for a Maison Olivier Claire facial that left us looking miraculously like we hadn’t been enjoying Cognac-based Dark Sunset cocktails in the spectacular Jazz Bar until the early hours. Massages and personalised treatments use locally-sourced plants and the Charente-Maritime region’s famous salt, which was its main export before the invention of the spirit in the 17th century.
Relax at Chais Monnet’s luxe spa
(Image: GUILLAUME DE LAUBIER)
What to do in Cognac Take a tour You can hire one of Chais Monnet’s cute Citroen 2CVs or an open-topped Triumph Spitfire to explore the surrounding countryside and lush vineyards. The hotel’s suggested route can be followed by scanning special QR codes. Since a tipple had been taken, we opted for wandering the cobbled streets with tour guide Silvio, who told us more about the history of its honey-stoned architecture and the secrets and scandals of King Francis I, who was born in the town.
Explore Cognac’s cobbled streets
(Image: © Stéphane Charbeau)
On the river We could have hired a bike to breeze along the Flow Vélo paths of the tranquil Charente in the heart of the town, but since we were feeling as lazy as the river itself, we boarded the narrowboat Béthanie, where generous captain Bruno presented dish after dish of amazing Charentais salads, charcuterie and fromages. As we silently cruised our way past the Grandes Maisons and willow- laced banks, it felt a million restful miles away from a frantic sightseeing weekend. A taste of Cognac The main attraction, of course, is Cognac, which differs from other brandies in that it can only be produced from specific grapes in this designated region. You can learn all about the drink’s fascinating history by touring and sampling at many of the area’s Cognac Houses. Courvoisier, Martell and Rémy Martin are all based here. We sipped from a bottle of Delamain worth more than £1,000 as we learned more about the oak-barrelled ageing, from grape to eau-de-vie to vintage tipple, at the company’s charming HQ in nearby Jarnac.
Sampling some Cognac is a must
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
For a far less traditional take, a short boat ride across the Charente brought us to the Hennessy distillery, where a truly jaw-dropping tour brought history to life through VR headsets. Santé, Cognac! How to book Nightly rates at Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa start from €265 per room. Flights are available from London to Bordeaux or La Rochelle. Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for freeStory SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnUsherAlicia KeysTravel
