AN EXCEPTIONAL PLACEHOTEL CHAIS MONNET & SPA
In 1898 the Salignac family was superseded as the business passed under the control of Jean Gabriel Monnet. By 1920 it had become a public limited company trading under the mark of the salamander. The son of Jean Gabriel, Jean Monnet, became the head of the firm in the period between the wars, and prior to launching his glittering political career. He was a visionary, a multi- talented man who became one of the architects and founding fathers of the European Union.
During the twentieth century it was his personality and renown as much as the exceptional quality of his cognacs that forged the firm reputation of Maison Monnet, opening the doors to international trade. In the 1950s Monnet became the official supplier to the Royal Court of Sweden, whilst in the United States it had gained a reputation as one of the world’s finest cognacs. By the end of the century, Maison Monnet had conquered every continent.
THE HISTORYOF CHAIS MONNET
In the 19th century, the town of Cognac was home to a dozen trading houses. The need to stock eau-de-vie to meet orders was becoming increasingly crucial. For this reason, the
"Société des Propriétaires Vinicoles" was founded at the end of the Empire. On March 24, 1838, Pierre Antoine de Salignac planned to create an innovative cooperative society. He bought a plot of land in an exceptional location, and decided to build a vast industrial complex.
With this new energy came the desire to revive this remarkable site. The town of Cognac, owners of Maison Monnet since 2006, found in Javad Marandi (the Anglo Iranian proprietor of the Soho Farmhouse in England) the ideal visionary capable of transforming the site into a luxurious hotel. The architect, Didier Poignant, has brought back to life this magnificent site of cultural significance, by transforming this location into a haven of peace and elegance.
AN ARCHITECTURALCHALLENGE
Few French industrial buildings on the scale of Chais Monnet date from the first half of the 19th century. Indeed, most of France's industrial heritage is made up of factories built in the second half of the 19th century, after 1860, a date generally considered to be the starting point of the Industrial Revolution. The Chais Monnet, dating from 1838, i.e. twenty years earlier, is listed as a French industrial heritage site. Classically styled, the estate's cellars are mainly "revolutionary" in their design and structure. They are also emblematic for the name they bear: Monnet, a reference to Jean Monnet, the world-famous Cognac winegrower who began his professional career here.
The architect Didier Poignant, transformed the industrial site into a hotel, has a number of prestigious references to his credit, including the Royal Monceau, the Grand Hotel Intercontinental and The Hoxton in Paris, and the Hôtel du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly. For the architect, this is a major challenge, since the transformation of an industrial building into a hotel complex is a first in France. The starting point for his work were the many historical treasures of the site, such as the "Grand Chai des Foudres", known as the "Cathedral", with its remarkable framework; the original 260 hectoliter tuns, which have stood the test of time; not forgetting the two spacious 1500 m² ageing cellars, designed in the form of two large halls.
Restoring this industrial wasteland required not only the rehabilitation of the main existing buildings, but also the integration of new ones. To achieve this, architect Didier Poignant opened up perspectives and volumes, linking the four cellars by a glass space, where all the hotel's main reception functions are now housed. The only contemporary building covers its glass façades with spectacular steel tendrils, evoking vine stocks. It houses guest rooms, a conference room and a Spa. Its contemporary look marks a major change in functionality, drawing its formalism from the imaginary of former activities.
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A REMARKABLEESTABLISHMENT
A few steps away from Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa, you'll find the historic Monnet family home. Steeped in history, this emblematic residence perfectly combines traditional charm with timeless elegance.
In perfect harmony with this heritage, the hotel's gardens and landscape, sublimated by the talent of renowned landscape designer Louis Benech, are transformed into a veritable haven of peace. Explore these enchanting outdoor spaces, where nature intertwines with architectural elegance. Flowerbeds, shady paths and water features offer a real oasis of serenity in the heart of Cognac.
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