Cruise Excursion from La Rochelle to Cognac FD (private)

Embark on an insider's tour of France's Cognac Region. Explore Hennessy, Otard, & more prestigious Houses. Enjoy diverse experiences, like Louis XIII tasting at Rémy Martin on our Cognac Tours.

• Visit Two Famed Houses of Cognac
• Stop for Lunch in the Historic City of Cognac
• Tour can be customized to suit your interests
• Local Tour Guide, Expert in Cognac

Pick up at Le Rochelle Cruise Port and meet your guide

Departing from La Rochelle Cruise Port, this Atlantic Coast full day private shore excursion will take you to the Cognac brandy producing region. First, we will come and pick you up at your cruise ship in La Rochelle Cruise Port.

Meet your English speaking driver guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then, board your air conditioned vehicle and depart for the Cognac vineyards in the Charente region.

Today’s day tour destination is the town of Cognac, which lies to the northeast of Bordeaux region and lends its name to the famous brandy that has been produced in the surrounding wine region for the last 300 years. 

Travel in a spacious premium minivan 

Your private La Rochelle Day Trip to Cognac will take place in one of our very spacious premium Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons, the vehicle will only be for you. All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system that allows you to hear the commentary of your driver/guide no matter where you are seated. Also, there is free Wi-Fi access in all vehicles. Bottled water is also available in all our vehicles.

Depart for a full day private tour to Cognac

Begin to make your way to the Cognac wine region. Your Cognac distillery tour will include a visit and tasting at two different distilleries: one with a name that is known all over the world like cognac france hennessy tour, Martell, Remy Martin, Otard Cognac tour or Camus, and one that is less known and is still family owned and operated.

The two visits will include a guided tour of the installations and then participate in a Cognac tasting to compare the differences between large and small-scale productions of Cognac. The visits also cover topics such as the grape varieties used, the fermentation and distillation methods, as well as the aging and blending process. After each visit, you will have the chance to taste several different kinds of brandy produced by the House of Cognac.

During the day, enjoy some free time for personal discovery and lunch in the historical town of Cognac. If you wish, we can organise a special lunch experience in one of the many Cognac Houses so as to enhance your experience. All tasting & dining options will be available during the booking process.

More information about Cognac 

The region authorized to produce cognac is divided into six zones, including five crus. The six zones are: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and finally Bois Ordinaire. A blend of Grande and Petite Champagne Cognacs, with at least half coming from Grande Champagne, is known as Fine Champagne.

The local wine is very dry, acidic, and thin, “virtually undrinkable”, but excellent for distillation and aging. It can be made only from a strict list of grape varieties. If it is to carry the name of one of the crus then it must be at least 90% Ugni Blanc (known in Italy as Trebbiano), Folle Blanche and Colombard, although 10% of the grapes used can be Folignan, Jurançon blanc, Meslier St-François (also called Blanc Ramé), Sélect, Montils or Sémillon.

• Les Visites Hennessy, Cognac, Quai Richard Hennessy, Cognac, France
• Royal Castle of Cognac, Boulevard Denfert Rochereau, Cognac, France
• Remy Martin Cognac, Rue de la Société Vinicole, Cognac, France

Ophorus requires full payment to guarantee your booking. In case of registration one month or less before shore excursion date, payment is expected immediately. We accept payment by credit cards (Visa, Master card, American Express), There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments but booking process does incur a booking fee. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: 

Up to 48 hours prior to departure (Paris Time Zone) > no cancellation fees except the booking fees 

48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund 

No refund will be made in case the boat is unable to dock in the port of Call.

All private shore excursions must clearly specify the name of the ship and the local port of call. Ophorus will not be held responsible if the wrong port of call has been notified during reservation process. All private shore excursions departing from Bordeaux must specify local port of call: “Bordeaux city port of call” or “Bassens port of call“ or “Le Verdon port of call”. No insurance for cancellation or assistance is included in the prices mentioned for private shore excursions. Each customer has to check that he or she has the appropriate documents for their journey; a passport (with visa if necessary) or a valid ID card. No refund will be granted in case of lack or loss of ID documents. Eating, drinking and smoking on board the minivans are strictly forbidden (law of September, 17th, 1977). All passengers are insured during the excursions while in the vans. The responsibility of Ophorus is limited to our insurance contract clauses. 

If you want to share your tour with others, you can put it on Cruise Critic. Most of the time this gives good results. You must do this yourself as we are not accepted on their site as a professional business. We accept split payment transactions by credit card.