Musée des savoir-faire du cognac
Museum in the Remparts in Cognac, showing how cognac is made, from the vineyard through distillation to sales around the world.
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About the museum
The Musée des savoir-faire du cognac, nicknamed M'CO and formerly the Musée des arts du cognac, opened in June 2004. The collections on cognac production, assembled since 1955, have been displayed here since then. It is located at the Remparts, place de la Salle Verte, at the foot of old city walls.
The museum combines the Hôtel Perrin de Boussac, whose façade is a listed historic monument, with a contemporary building. It also incorporates the Maison Augier, the oldest trading house, remains of the Lusignan tower and part of the 14th-century city wall.
Across some 2,000 m², the route follows the stages of cognac: first the vine, then distillation, the trades connected with it, and its worldwide distribution. The collections are arranged in five themes: the promise of a terroir, know-how and alchemy, innovation and creativity, pleasure, symbols and images, and heritage. A group virtual-reality experience, “Les Voyageurs du virtuel,” invites visitors to explore the region's past across six eras. The museum is part of the “Les Distillateurs culturels” network of Grand Cognac and holds the “Musée de France” label.
Highlights
- Route from the vineyard through distillation to the cognac trade
- Five collection themes on terroir and trades
- Virtual reality “Les Voyageurs du virtuel,” ages 13 and up
- Hôtel Perrin de Boussac, Maison Augier and remains of the ramparts
- Café on site
Permanent exhibitions
- Parcours du cognac – Collections in five themes on terroir, know-how from vine to distillation, innovation, and the symbols and heritage of cognac.
- Les Voyageurs du virtuel – Group virtual-reality experience with standalone headsets: six missions across six periods of regional history, ages 13 and up.
- Founded
- 2004
- Operated by
- Grand Cognac
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4CNAS members, partner organizations with agreements, visitors with reduced mobility, or when part of the route is closed |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 12 · Free admission up to age 12; youth rate for ages 13 to 25. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for visitors with disabilities and one companion, on proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4 per personSelf-guided visit €4 per person; guided tour €7 per person; one accompanying person free; by reservation. No virtual reality for groups. For young people and students (guided tour or workshop): free within the Grand Cognac area, flat fee of €20 per group outside it. |
| Two-museum ticket (second valid for one month), full price | €9 |
| Two-museum ticket, reduced rate | €6 |
| Two-museum ticket, youth rate ages 13–25 | €4.50 |
Free admission: First Sunday of each month, European Heritage Days, Museum Night, M'CO Christmas market
The ticket covers the permanent collections, temporary exhibitions and the virtual-reality experiences (ages 13 and up). Free admission on proof for members of ICOM and ICOMOS, holders of the Ministry of Culture card, journalists, tour guides and job seekers. Online ticket sales.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
A lift and a goods lift serve the interior; a 13% ramp leads to the collections, and the main entrance is preceded by an 8% slope and a footbridge. Two reserved parking spaces on Rue Alfred de Vigny. Easy-to-read guide in French (FALC) available for download; museum guide available on request. An accessible transport service runs by reservation Monday to Saturday (Transcom, +33 800 881 691).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Playground / play area
Free art workshops for children linked to the temporary exhibitions and permanent collections; family guide sheets at reception; play area with coloring pages and puzzles. Free admission up to age 12; virtual reality from age 13.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Le Port
From the train station, take bus line B or A (Transcom network) to Pôle Gambetta, then line D toward Lycée Jean Monnet, stop Le Port, about 20 minutes.
By car
Parking available
Parking at Quai de la Salle Verte, Rue Alfred de Vigny and Rue Etienne Augier.
- Accessible parking
About a 15-minute walk from the train station. By train, change at Angoulême; by car, take exit 36 of the A10 from Bordeaux.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café on site.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours in French, English and Spanish, to be booked in advance to make sure a guide is available. Virtual tours and a personalized route are available in iOS and Android apps. The group virtual-reality experience “Les Voyageurs du virtuel” is open from age 13. |
