It is at the Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa, a elegant 5-star with 92 rooms and suites that the monumental portal carved from stone opens, marking the entrance at 50 Paul-Firino-Martell Avenue in Cognac.
A member of the prestigious network The Leading Hotels of the World, this luxury hotel was the first – and, to date, still the only – in the heart of the “capital” of the famous cognac.
It has not always been this way. From 1838 to 1952, these premises housed a renowned cognac distillery. Several owners came and went, but one has gone down in history: Jean-Gabriel Monnet.
Undoubtedly this merchant was, in his time, prudent and highly prosperous thanks to the exceptional quality of his cognacs that had conquered every continent. However, his fame also stems, in part, from being the father of … his son, named Jean.
Born in Cognac in 1888 and entering the family business at a very young age—with success—Jean Monnet later began a career as a banker on Wall Street in the United States, then took the helm of the family business between the two world wars.
After 1945, Jean Monnet would embark on a brilliant political career, becoming one of the “fathers” of European construction, which earned him burial in the Panthéon.
A member of the prestigious network The Leading Hotels of the World, this luxury hotel was the first – and, to date, still the only – in the heart of the “capital” of the famous cognac.
It has not always been this way. From 1838 to 1952, these premises housed a renowned cognac distillery. Several owners came and went, but one has gone down in history: Jean-Gabriel Monnet.
Undoubtedly this merchant was, in his time, prudent and highly prosperous thanks to the exceptional quality of his cognacs that had conquered every continent. However, his fame also stems, in part, from being the father of … his son, named Jean.
Born in Cognac in 1888 and entering the family business at a very young age—with success—Jean Monnet later began a career as a banker on Wall Street in the United States, then took the helm of the family business between the two world wars.
After 1945, Jean Monnet would embark on a brilliant political career, becoming one of the “fathers” of European construction, which earned him burial in the Panthéon.
A “Monnet corner”, in homage to the family saga
Whatever the reason for the stay, anyone who checks into the Chais Monnet Hotel & Spa is confronted with this exceptional destiny.
Near the lobby, a “Monnet corner” evokes the family saga. And in the gardens stands the handsome townhouse of the Monnet family, now devoted to an art gallery and to the works of painter Emmanuel Pierre.
As prestigious as this family saga is, the history of these Chais now sits in another universe. Indeed, the Monnets kept their distillery until 1962.
Afterward, it passed from hand to hand: to the German firm Scharlachberg, then to Hennessy, which ceded it in 2004 to the Cognac municipality.
Since then, various projects, sometimes extravagant, for reconversion circulated until the Anglo-Iranian businessman Javad Marandi, owner of the Soho Farmhouse in England, agreed, in 2016, to invest 60 million euros to transform the site into a luxury hotel. Two years of work were required to reach the goal, in 2018.
Near the lobby, a “Monnet corner” evokes the family saga. And in the gardens stands the handsome townhouse of the Monnet family, now devoted to an art gallery and to the works of painter Emmanuel Pierre.
As prestigious as this family saga is, the history of these Chais now sits in another universe. Indeed, the Monnets kept their distillery until 1962.
Afterward, it passed from hand to hand: to the German firm Scharlachberg, then to Hennessy, which ceded it in 2004 to the Cognac municipality.
Since then, various projects, sometimes extravagant, for reconversion circulated until the Anglo-Iranian businessman Javad Marandi, owner of the Soho Farmhouse in England, agreed, in 2016, to invest 60 million euros to transform the site into a luxury hotel. Two years of work were required to reach the goal, in 2018.
A striking architectural gesture
The least one can say is that architect Didier Poignant, of the Parisian firm Ertim, who was entrusted with the transformation, pulled off a masterstroke.
Indeed, this architect boasted serious references: the Royal Monceau, the Grand Hôtel Intercontinental and The Hoxton in Paris, the Hôtel du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly, etc. He faced a formidable challenge, since it involved converting an industrial building (rare) from the first half of the 19th century, listed as French Industrial Heritage, into a hotel complex.
Rather than demolish, Bernard Poignant set about preserving and rehabilitating the site’s treasures — the Grand Chai des foudres and the two spacious aging cellars of 1500 m² — to valorize the robust framing, then to open up the perspectives and volumes.
The four existing cellars are now connected by a glass-and-steel passage, where today all the main hotel reception functions are gathered. A metal staircase leads to the upper floor.
Starting from there, a long journey under a glass roof, flanked on both sides by a vegetated basin where the sound of water can be heard, leads to a courtyard where the only contemporary building of the hotel complex proudly rises.
The glass façades of this building are covered with spectacular corten steel tendrils, evoking grapevines. It houses rooms, a conference hall as well as a vast wellness area including a spa awarded by the renowned Condé Nast Johansens guide.
Its massage rooms (three standard, one double) offer personalized treatments based on the organic products of Kos Paris.
Indeed, this architect boasted serious references: the Royal Monceau, the Grand Hôtel Intercontinental and The Hoxton in Paris, the Hôtel du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly, etc. He faced a formidable challenge, since it involved converting an industrial building (rare) from the first half of the 19th century, listed as French Industrial Heritage, into a hotel complex.
Rather than demolish, Bernard Poignant set about preserving and rehabilitating the site’s treasures — the Grand Chai des foudres and the two spacious aging cellars of 1500 m² — to valorize the robust framing, then to open up the perspectives and volumes.
The four existing cellars are now connected by a glass-and-steel passage, where today all the main hotel reception functions are gathered. A metal staircase leads to the upper floor.
Starting from there, a long journey under a glass roof, flanked on both sides by a vegetated basin where the sound of water can be heard, leads to a courtyard where the only contemporary building of the hotel complex proudly rises.
The glass façades of this building are covered with spectacular corten steel tendrils, evoking grapevines. It houses rooms, a conference hall as well as a vast wellness area including a spa awarded by the renowned Condé Nast Johansens guide.
Its massage rooms (three standard, one double) offer personalized treatments based on the organic products of Kos Paris.
Classic French chic
Spread across several buildings, all bright and pleasantly spacious, the 92 rooms and suites feature a décor in chic French classical style. Yet, the blend of noble materials and natural textures keeps alive the traditional Cognac charm.
The elegant spaces (28 to 38 m2) of the 50 Deluxe rooms (from around €280) are distributed between the contemporary building “Les Ceps” — on the first or second floor — and the historic building, “Les Chais,” either on the first floor or on the ground floor.
The 21 first-class rooms (39 to 47 m2), equipped with a bathtub and a shower, are also split between “Les Ceps” and “Les Chais.”
The 21 suites which can accommodate up to three adults, are likewise distributed between the two buildings.
If the 11 “Junior” rooms range from 49 to 62 m2 (from around €500), the 9 “Suites” are precious 68 to 87 m2 enclaves, featuring a private lounge that allows for both private meetings and business appointments.
As for the presidential suite named Jean-Gabriel Monnet, it aims to offer, over 170 m2, the essence of the Chais Monnet hotelier know-how, with privileged access to a private treatment cabin.
The elegant spaces (28 to 38 m2) of the 50 Deluxe rooms (from around €280) are distributed between the contemporary building “Les Ceps” — on the first or second floor — and the historic building, “Les Chais,” either on the first floor or on the ground floor.
The 21 first-class rooms (39 to 47 m2), equipped with a bathtub and a shower, are also split between “Les Ceps” and “Les Chais.”
The 21 suites which can accommodate up to three adults, are likewise distributed between the two buildings.
If the 11 “Junior” rooms range from 49 to 62 m2 (from around €500), the 9 “Suites” are precious 68 to 87 m2 enclaves, featuring a private lounge that allows for both private meetings and business appointments.
As for the presidential suite named Jean-Gabriel Monnet, it aims to offer, over 170 m2, the essence of the Chais Monnet hotelier know-how, with privileged access to a private treatment cabin.
Cognac’s only Michelin star
The Chais Monnet & Spa hotel also offers a varied array of spaces for indulgence and relaxation.
In “La Distillerie”, the atmosphere is half brasserie, half loft. It is a place where you gather beneath imposing beams for a refined breakfast buffet, then for lunch (from 12:00, 38 € package) and, later, for dinner (from 19:00, a 47 € menu) in a warm and convivial setting, enhanced by the vast glass roof and the cement tiles on the floor.
The cuisine, unfussy and bold, draws from the great French tradition; plates are generous, well crafted, and punctuated by delightful surprises—this amuse-bouche with crystal bread, salmon rillettes, and oyster gel decorated with a playful pink flower.
Gourmets, for their part, treat themselves to the restaurant “Les Foudres,” which since 2021 has earned Cognac’s sole Michelin star. Elegant attire is required. Expect around €80 for a three-course menu.
Housed in a building steeped in history, under centennial foudres, this gastronomic table invites, from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from 19:00 to 21:30, to meet the men who elevate the terroir and its traditions.
Chefs Mathis Debize and Alexandre Mornet distill a symphony of flavors in dishes that aim to be works of art.
In “La Distillerie”, the atmosphere is half brasserie, half loft. It is a place where you gather beneath imposing beams for a refined breakfast buffet, then for lunch (from 12:00, 38 € package) and, later, for dinner (from 19:00, a 47 € menu) in a warm and convivial setting, enhanced by the vast glass roof and the cement tiles on the floor.
The cuisine, unfussy and bold, draws from the great French tradition; plates are generous, well crafted, and punctuated by delightful surprises—this amuse-bouche with crystal bread, salmon rillettes, and oyster gel decorated with a playful pink flower.
Gourmets, for their part, treat themselves to the restaurant “Les Foudres,” which since 2021 has earned Cognac’s sole Michelin star. Elegant attire is required. Expect around €80 for a three-course menu.
Housed in a building steeped in history, under centennial foudres, this gastronomic table invites, from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from 19:00 to 21:30, to meet the men who elevate the terroir and its traditions.
Chefs Mathis Debize and Alexandre Mornet distill a symphony of flavors in dishes that aim to be works of art.
Undeniable strengths… but a delicate context
Publié par Paula Boyer Responsable rubrique LuxuryTravelMaG – TourMaG.com Voir tous les articles de Paula Boyer
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