AN ENCHANTING STAY AT CHATEAU DE BAGNOLET

HENNESSY IMMERSES ITS TOP CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS IN THE SAVOIR-FAIRE OF THE MAISON THROUGH BY-INVITE-ONLY STAYS AT THIS FORMER FAMILY RESIDENCE AND EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES.

What do renowned pianist Lang Lang, film director Oliver Stone, and Kenyan rapper Octopizzo have in common? They have all been guests at Chateau de Bagnolet, a charming eightroom villa that sits on the banks of the Charente River in Cognac in a lush 2.8ha manicured garden, where deers drop in for a morning stroll and hedges are blooming with flowers.

Built in 1810, the chateau was part of the Hennessy family’s estate before it was sold off in 1964. The house has long been Hennessy’s de-facto venue to entertain its most valuable corporate and private clients on an by-invite basis. According to Hennessy, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore are among the top markets for private sales in Asia.

Each intimate stay is tailor-made for guests, which includes experiences such as a tour of the Founder’s Cellar (where some of the oldest eaux-de-vie are kept), a visit to the cooperage, and tasting sessions with master blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde.

During a recent press trip to Cognac, former global brand ambassador Maurice Hennessy, who is a direct descendant of founder Richard Hennessy and now runs vineyards that produce eaux-de-vie for Hennessy, regaled us with tales of lavish parties attended by the who’s who of society at the Chateau.

Equally intriguing is the house’s decor that draws inspiration from the cognac.

The elegant living room is dominated by red wallpaper adorned with motifs of flowers and grapes, and matched with plush sofas in hues of pink. The walls are also decked out in portraits of the Hennessy family and historic photos including a visit by the late Queen

Mother of the UK. The house is also served by a full-time housekeeping and culinary team that is headed by chef David Fransoret, and showcases the art de vivre, including a grand display of service a la francaise, complete with classic French cuisine paired with cognac.