Visit Château du Cognac

Château du Cognac, or Château Royal de Cognac is a 12th century castle that is owned by Barcardi and is home to cognac houses Baron Otard and D’USSE. The cognac house of Baron Otard is often called Château du Cognac interchangeably.

The Château du Cognac is on the banks of the Charente River and houses the humid cellars of Baron Otard and D’USSE.

King François 1st of France, who was born in Cognac, lived at the château in the early 16th century. By the 17th and 18th century the château, which had long been a national royal property, began to fall apart. The château was sold in 1795 to spirits merchants, Messieurs Otard and Dupuy where they began their cognac business and installed cellars. The Otard company did important restoration work in the 19th century and their occupancy has helped keep the château as a viable historic landmark.

The château itself is a popular tourist destination and Cognac tours by Baron Otard are offered.