(16 January 2025, Hong Kong) Maison Courvoisier, the world’s most awarded cognac house, has reemerged following a multi-year restoration led by renowned French architecture and design agency Gilles & Boissier. Collaborating with local and international artists and artisans, the project pays tribute to nearly two centuries of history and craftsmanship. With its elegant design, surrounding vineyards, and stunning regional landscape, Maison Courvoisier is set to welcome esteemed guests from October 2024.
Proudly standing at the heart of Jarnac, directly facing the Charente River, the beautiful edifice, originally built in 1857, is inspired by Paris’ iconic ‘Pavillon de Flore’ at the Louvre Museum—a place dear to the Maison’s founder, Félix Courvoisier. When he introduced the brand in 1828, he envisioned a warm and welcoming space for friends and family to share his unique vision of “Joie de Vivre.” This newly revitalised home by Gilles & Boissier will be the same beacon for global inspiration, innovation and education for Courvoisier today.
The transformation of the five-story building is the result of a like-minded collaboration between Courvoisier and Gilles & Boissier, lauded for their wide variety of high-end projects. Led by the husband and wife duo, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, the studio’s work is influenced by their French heritage and artistic culture. Creators of unique and poetic environments, Gilles & Boissier’s vision was nourished by Courvoisier’s savoir-faire and understanding of nature, creating a magnificent home which harmoniously blends the rich French heritage with the excellence of the brand, the grandeur of Maison Courvoisier capturing the essence of the terroir.
Design highlights include a stylish red Bar Lounge, which immerses guests in a cabinet of curiosities, each element meticulously chosen to create an intimate atmosphere. Curated thanks to thorough archive research by Courvoisier’s own in-house Historian, Isabelle Vignon, the room tells the narration of Félix Courvoisier’s story and those that followed his legacy. The Cognac Tasting Room, adorned with an immense piece by etching artist Francois Houtin, sets a beautiful black and white scene of the neighbouring landscape, illustrating endless vineyards and iconic landmarks. A subtly selected marble with low-contrast veins and muted tones was purposefully chosen by Gilles & Boissier to preserve the colour of the cognac during tasting, ensuring a unique sensory experience. The Dining Room is the centrepiece of the chateau, intended to entertain guests for exclusive Cognac pairing dinners devised by special guest chefs. Grandiose yet inviting, with a monumental palissandro marble table standing at the centre and carved wood wall panels by Zoé Ouvrier. Over the course of the restoration, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, have played with the overarching theme of cognac in their own refined style and elegant flair – the corridor on the second floor subtly nods to the now aged eau-de-vie in Courvoisier’s Paradis as the hand painted walls go from a bright sunny hue to a warm, deep amber colour indicating the passing time.
“We undertook this project with great pride and a determination to harmoniously blend together the chateau’s rich French heritage with the excellence of the brand. We worked to elevate and honour what was already there at the Maison, while introducing a new relevancy and energy that reflects the values of Courvoisier and its commitment not only to build on the legacy of the past but also to look to the future for inspiration and clarity of purpose. Exceptional levels of detail have been considered in every element of the design including a bench carved from a magnificent piece of wood from the cellar, testifying to Courvoisier’s deep attachment to their roots.” – Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, Founders of Gilles & Boissier.
The restoration of Maison Courvoisier has been a unique, long term project for Gilles & Boissier and the reopening marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, blending tradition with innovation, and enabling guests to experience the essence of Courvoisier’s rich heritage and vision for the future. While access to the Maison itself remains limited, the doors will open for visitors punctually around the year, for tours and tastings. Exclusive experiences to stay overnight can also be arranged at restricted times.
For further information, please visit www.courvoisier.com.
