Cognac
Cognac, town, Charente département, Nouvelle-Aquitaine région, western France. It lies 20 miles (30 km) west-northwest of Angoulême. The town gives its name to the brandy distilled there and exported all over the world. The distilling of cognac is its main industry and provides the impetus for the manufacture of casks and bottles, packaging materials, and printing works. Cognac was the birthplace of King Francis I (reigned 1515–47). Its possession was contested during the Wars of Religion. An air force pilots’ school is located there. Pop. (1999) 19,534; (2014 est.) 18,717.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Cognac
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
07 June 2017
Access Date:
March 14, 2025