Visiting Baron Otard in Cognac, France, is a journey into both the art of Cognac-making and the storied past of the Château de Cognac, a medieval fortress turned distillery at 127 Boulevard Denfert Rochereau. Founded in 1795 by Jean-Baptiste Otard, who rescued the château from ruin post-French Revolution, this house offers hour-long tours that weave through its historic halls—where King Francis I was born in 1494—and humid cellars, where eaux-de-vie age in Limousin oak barrels at a steady 90% humidity. Options range from the Discovery of the Château Tour, with VS and VSOP tastings, to the lavish Tribute to Baron Otard Tour, a private tasting of VSOP, XO, Extra 1795, and the exclusive Fortis & Fidelis blends, held in the Renaissance-era “Paradise” cellar. Open daily from April to October (and by appointment November to March), reservations via baronotard.com or calling are essential, especially in summer, to secure a spot amidst the castle’s thick stone walls and royal echoes. A visit here blends history, craftsmanship, and a sip of timeless elegance along the Charente River.
