Explore the Manoir de Mademoiselle
Today, the Manoir de Mademoiselle is a one-of-a-kind place where Ferrand Cognac come of age. Hidden in the basement is the “Paradis,” a treasured cellar where our oldest cognacs rest in demijohns, silent witnesses to centuries of history.
Built in the 1860s, the manor has stood the test of time preserving all its authenticity. Carefully restored, it truly feels like stepping back in time. One of the manor’s little-known stories is that Élie Ferrand VIII once kept a small zoo on the grounds, complete with a surprising guest, according to local lore. Want the full story? Come see the manor for yourself.
Henriette Ranson, known as Mademoiselle, spent many decades in this home, in the heart of Grande Champagne. A direct descendant of the Ferrand family, she was born in 1922 and passed away in 2016 at the age of 95. Although she left no direct heirs, she wanted the family home to serve as a place of remembrance.
The Manoir de Mademoiselle is now the heart of the Ferrand Foundation. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to researching and preserving the tangible and intangible heritage of cognac and rum. With more than two centuries of archives, it funds research and has already published several books on the history of cognac and its traditional production methods.
The Foundation is also restoring the Manoir, including the Distiller’s Office, Grand Library, and pond, drawing on the specialized skills of every team at Maison Ferrand.
A true landmark for the Ferrand family, the manor embodies their long-standing relationship with Cognac. For five generations, it has seen the golden age of Grande Champagne and the family’s expertise in growing vines, distilling, and aging spirits. Today, Maison Ferrand carries on this tradition, blending heritage with innovation to create exceptional cognacs.
Rendez-vous at the Citadelle Gin Distillery
We also invite you to visit the Citadelle Gin Distillery, home of the world’s first craft gin, created in Charente in 1996. At Château de Bonbonnet near Cognac, the Citadelle team handcrafts gin that the World Gin Awards named Best French Gin in 2024. Experience a guided tour (available in French, English, or Spanish) of the estate: stroll past more than 2,700 organically certified juniper trees in front of the chateau, visit the orangerie, the distillery, the Spice Bar, and the barrel warehouse where select gins mature.
Designed by Master Blender Alexandre Gabriel and built in-house, the Citadelle Gin Distillery showcases an impressive collection of historic stills, meticulously selected and restored over the years by our coppersmith Gaylord Urbain. Working with our patented progressive botanical infusion process, these stills create the distinctive flavors of our estate gin. Your tour wraps up with a tasting of the entire Citadelle Gin lineup - including a distillery-only edition, followed by time to explore the Spice Bar and our shop, where you can find many Maison Ferrand spirits and limited editions exclusively available at the boutique.
Tours will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the following times: 9:00 / 10:30 / 11:30 / 12:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 / 16:30 / 17:00. An English-language tour is scheduled for 10:00.
Additional Information
- The tour lasts about 90 minutes.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour.
- We are a working distillery with strict safety rules to protect our staff and visitors. Closed-toe shoes are required inside the distillery (flip-flops and sandals are not allowed).
- We encourage responsible consumption of our spirits.
- A designated driver is strongly recommended. Breathalyzers are available on request.
- The tour includes both indoor and outdoor areas and may be canceled in the event of adverse weather conditions.
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