King Francois I France

King Francis I of France, born in 1494 in Cognac’s Château de Cognac, played an indirect but significant role in the region’s namesake spirit. Reigning from 1515 to 1547, this Renaissance monarch was a patron of the arts and a lover of luxury, fostering a culture of refinement that later influenced cognac’s rise as a sophisticated drink. While cognac as we know it wasn’t distilled until the 16th century—after his death—Francis I’s reign saw the growth of viticulture in the Charente region, laying the groundwork for the industry. His birthplace, now part of the Otard Cognac estate, ties him symbolically to the spirit’s heritage, and his legacy of elegance aligns with cognac’s evolution into a royal favorite, famously enjoyed by later French courts.