We'll be in France at the end of April and instead of bringing back wine, I thought I'd look for good deals on Cognac or Armagnac. Any suggestions? <BR>By the way, I've learned more from this site about Paris than from ALL the travel books combined ! Thanks, Sheila

If you travel by plane, at tax free shop at the airport (CDG or Orly), when you return. Cheaper and no "schlepping" around. I think 1 bottle/person.

I have purchased some marvelous Cognac and Pineau de Charente in the Charente Valley near Angouleme, visiting the distillery of Francois Peyrot. Unfortunately, I drank it all and would love to go back and buy some more.

<BR>snp, <BR>If you like cognac you will appreciate marc. It is virtually unknown in the USA. A litre in Nuits-St-Georges will cost about $20. It will be a trophy you will regret having enjoyed because you probably won't find Marc de Bourgogne again until you go back there.

John, <BR>Was the Marc de Bourgogne available in Paris? What kind of store would it be in ? Thanks, snp

<BR>snp,<BR>I didn't drink spirits when I lived in Paris so I don't know for sure that marc is for sale there. But you can probably buy it in a wine shop or spirits shop; it is distilled from red wine, like cognac. I happened across it in Burgundy on one of my wine buying visits. In my Paris days there was a good wine shop on rue des Ecoles just up from Place Maubert, but there are many others around the city, including the grocery stores. Wine is the blood of France.<BR>Marc is pronounced with a silent c, like mahr. Sante!<BR>

Not to be a wonk, but if it is not FROM Cognac or Armagnac, it is not Cognac or Armagnac. It's a wonderful part of France to visit, but I'm not so sure there will be any great deals.

We are travelling to the Dordoyne in August this year and to my great surprise (not) we will be very close to Cognac and as it is by far and away my favourite tiple, I was thinking of visiting and looking at the best ways to taste the product and no doubt purchase one or two bottles.. Any suggestions on the best way to do this...Any help appreciated

thanks

You're in a great place to get it. We actually love the Hediard cognacs. Walk in, find a 20 year old (cognac, that is) at a price you like and you really can't go wrong. That being said, I thought I could cash and carry Hediard at duty free last year. -- You can't. But, you can get Otard!

MMMM.... 4:10PM on the east coast and I've had a heck of a week. I might break out the Otard upon getting home! LOL

You don't need to travel to Cognac to taste really good cognacs. Just visit any one of the specialty stores in the Dordogne, like Julien de Sauvignac, and there will be all kinds of wonderful cognacs. Of course, if you want to tour places and do dégustations, you'll need to travel to the area.