Hennessy cognac house tour, Cognac

Cognac, a small town on the Charente River, is the home of the brandy of the same name, and the great cognac houses offer tours in several languages. Hennessy, the largest, takes visitors by boat across the river to its ageing cellars, where the casks rest for decades, and explains how the eaux-de-vie are distilled and blended. The tour ends with a tasting.

Other famous houses, including Rémy Martin, Martell and Camus, also run tours, from simple visits to blending workshops. Book ahead, especially in summer. The old town has narrow streets, half-timbered houses and a lovely riverside walk.