Rémy Martin Discover the production site by train

Rémy Martin’s Merpins production site gives you a rare look at the working side of Cognac, not just a polished tasting room. You ride an electric train through the cellars, then learn how grapes become eaux-de-vie through distillation, barrel ageing, and blending.

I like the tour’s compact 90-minute format and the mix of practical information with two drinks and small gourmet appetizers. I also like that guides such as Alex and Thomas have been praised for making the visit lively and answering questions clearly. The main drawback is that the train does not remove all walking or stairs, so this may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know before booking

• The electric train covers part of the Merpins site, including the vast cellars, but you still walk and use stairs between sections.
• The tasting includes a VSOP cocktail and 1738 Accord Royal, served with gourmet appetizers.
• Guides speak French and English, with Alex and Thomas singled out for warm, engaging presentations.
• The visit explains the full Cognac chain, from vine growing and cooperage to distillation, blending, and ageing.
• The tour lasts 1.5 hours, making it easy to fit into a day of Cognac visits.
• The price needs checking before you pay, since the supplied information lists both €25 and about $29 per person.

Riding into Rémy Martin’s Merpins cellars

The visit begins at Rémy Martin’s production site on Avenue de Gimeux in Merpins, just outside Cognac. You enter through the site entrance, pass the security post, and continue to reception. This is an active production setting rather than a town-center boutique, so allow time to find the correct entrance and follow the site instructions.

The electric train is the tour’s most distinctive feature. It lets you cover part of the large production area without spending the entire visit walking between buildings and cellar spaces. For a brand with extensive stocks of Cognac, that matters. You get a sense of scale that a small tasting room cannot provide.

Still, do not picture a ride with no walking at all. You leave the train at various points, negotiate stairs in some sections, and may need to stand while the guide explains the next stage. One visitor found the tour unsuitable for people with disabilities for exactly this reason, even while praising the staff’s helpful attitude.

If you have mobility concerns, contact the producer before booking and ask which sections can be reached without stairs. The available information does not promise full accessibility, so it is better to get a clear answer in advance.

From grape growing to Cognac in one short visit

The tour follows the main steps behind Cognac production. You learn about vine growing first, then move through the work of the cooper, the distiller, and the cellar team. This order helps you understand that Cognac is not simply a spirit poured into a bottle. It is the result of several linked crafts.

The visit focuses on eaux-de-vie from Cognac Fine Champagne and Grande Champagne. These terms refer to Cognac’s most valued growing areas, known for producing spirits suited to long ageing. You do not need prior knowledge to follow the presentation, and the format works well if you are curious but not already a Cognac enthusiast.

Cooperage is part of the story too. Oak barrels shape the spirit during ageing, adding color and flavor while allowing slow change over time. The tour connects this barrel work with blending, where different eaux-de-vie are combined to create a consistent house style.

Distillation receives attention as another key stage. The guide explains how the clear spirit develops before it goes into wood. You then see how ageing and blending turn separate components into finished Cognac.

This is a useful approach for first-time visitors because it explains the process without making you sit through a long technical class. The strongest guides give you room to ask questions, and the best comments about the experience praise the staff’s ability to explain Cognac in a friendly, direct way.

What the train adds, and where it falls short

The train makes the production site feel manageable. Instead of walking long distances across a large industrial property, you ride between parts of the visit in relative comfort. It also adds a bit of fun, especially if you are touring several Cognac houses and want a change from cellar corridors and tasting counters.

The electric system is a practical choice for a working site. It avoids the noise and fumes of a fuel-powered vehicle, while keeping the group together as it moves around the property. The train is not the whole attraction, but it gives this visit its own character.

There are limits. The train does not turn the experience into a seated tour. You may stand during explanations, and the route includes stairs and stretches on foot. If you want an intimate, hands-on workshop, this may feel more like a carefully managed production-site visit.

Photography rules may also affect your expectations. The supplied information includes a complaint about being asked to switch off a phone completely, even before the tour began. Since policies can change by date or section, ask at reception what is allowed before taking out your camera. If recording the visit matters to you, this is worth checking before you book.

The tasting: a cocktail, 1738 Accord Royal, and small bites

The tasting comes after the production visit and is included in the 90-minute program. You receive a VSOP in cocktail form and 1738 Accord Royal, accompanied by gourmet appetizers.

That combination gives you two different ways to approach Cognac. The cocktail shows how VSOP can work in a mixed drink, with the spirit serving as one part of a larger balance. The 1738 tasting lets you focus more directly on the Cognac itself.

The tasting is not designed as a long masterclass. If you want several neat pours, detailed food pairings, or a lesson in professional tasting technique, choose a dedicated Cognac masterclass instead. Here, the tasting is a pleasant finish to a production visit, rather than the main event.

This is also where the tour’s value depends on your expectations. One person felt the tasting was smaller than those offered at other major houses, describing one Cognac and one cocktail rather than a broad flight. The supplied program, however, specifically includes both a VSOP cocktail and 1738 Accord Royal. Either way, you should book this for the factory and cellar visit first, with the drinks as a well-chosen extra.

Anyone aged 18 or older may take part in the alcoholic tasting. If you do not want alcohol, an alternative is offered. That makes the visit workable for mixed groups, though the exact nonalcoholic option is not specified.

How the guides shape the experience

A good guide matters at a large production site. Without a clear explanation, barrels, stills, and cellar rows can blur together. The strongest feedback centers on guides who are friendly, well informed, and open to questions.

Alex and Thomas are two names worth noting. They were praised for adding energy to the visit and for helping make it a useful addition to a separate Rémy Martin anniversary tour. Other praise focuses on guides who could explain Cognac fundamentals without assuming specialist knowledge.

The tour is available in French and English. If you have a choice of language, select the one in which you are most comfortable asking questions. The practical value of a Cognac visit comes from understanding the small distinctions between distillation, ageing, and blending, and that is much easier in a language you follow easily.

Group size can affect the feel of the tour. One person described a small group, which is good news if you prefer a calmer visit and want a real chance to ask questions. The exact maximum group size is not provided, so do not book expecting a guaranteed private or semi-private tour.

Is €25, or about $29, good value?

The supplied price information is inconsistent. It lists €25 per person in the program and approximately $29 in the summary. Check the current amount at booking, especially if exchange rates or seasonal pricing affect the final cost.

At roughly this level, the experience offers fair value if you want three things in one stop: access to a major Cognac production site, a guided explanation of the full process, and a tasting. The 90-minute length is efficient, and the electric train adds comfort on a large property.

The value is less clear if you are comparing only the tasting. A specialist class or a smaller producer may offer more pours, longer discussion, or closer contact with the people who make the spirit. One person who had visited three Cognac houses felt Rémy Martin offered less at the tasting for a similar price.

I would compare the inclusions rather than the price alone. Ask yourself if you want the scale and name recognition of a major house, or a more personal visit with a producer. For a first introduction, the Merpins site gives you a solid overview without taking half a day.

Who will enjoy this Rémy Martin visit?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a clear introduction to Cognac production and prefers a structured tour. The combination of train travel, cellars, production explanations, and a final tasting makes it easy to follow.

It also suits people who are not regular Cognac drinkers. The visit explains what you are tasting instead of assuming that you already know the difference between VSOP and 1738. The cocktail format may also appeal to you if neat spirits are not your usual choice.

It works well for a short stop in the Cognac area, since the visit lasts only 1.5 hours. You could fit it into a day with another producer, a vineyard activity, or time in Cognac itself. Just keep your schedule realistic if you plan to visit several houses, since tours may involve security entry, walking, and time at reception.

I would be more cautious if you need step-free access, want to photograph every stage, or expect a large tasting flight. The site includes stairs and standing time, photography may be restricted, and the tasting is modest compared with a full masterclass.

Practical details for your visit

Tours run Tuesday through Saturday during the published April 23 to September 28 season, with reservations required. Since availability and starting times can vary, check the date and time before arranging transport or another tasting.

The meeting point is the Rémy Martin production site at Avenue de Gimeux, 16100 Merpins. Go to the site entrance, pass security, and follow directions to reception. This is not simply a matter of walking into a retail shop, so use the full production-site address.

The tour is guided in French or English. Bring comfortable shoes because the train does not eliminate walking, and expect some stairs and periods of standing. Water points are available at key parts of the visit, a useful detail during hot weather.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Cognac plans depend on the rest of your route.

Should you book the Merpins production tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized introduction to how a major Cognac house works, especially if the electric train and extensive cellars appeal to you. The guides can make the technical material easy to grasp, and the cocktail, 1738 Accord Royal, and appetizers provide a pleasant finish.

Skip it in favor of another visit if your priority is a long tasting, a highly personal producer conversation, or guaranteed easy access for someone with limited mobility. Also check the current price and phone policy before committing.

For most first-time visitors to Cognac, this is a sensible 90-minute choice. You get the big-house scale without surrendering an entire afternoon, but you should arrive expecting a production tour with some walking, not a fully seated train ride or a deep tasting seminar.

FAQ

Where does the Rémy Martin production tour begin?

It begins at the Rémy Martin production site on Avenue de Gimeux, 16100 Merpins. Enter through the site entrance, pass the security post, and follow directions to reception.

How long does the experience last?

The visit lasts 1.5 hours, including the production-site tour and tasting.

What languages are available?

The live tour is available in French and English.

What does the electric train visit cover?

The train takes you through parts of the Merpins production site and its large cellars. The visit also explains vine growing, cooperage, distillation, blending, and ageing.

What is included in the tasting?

The program includes a VSOP served in a cocktail and 1738 Accord Royal, accompanied by gourmet appetizers.

Can someone who does not drink alcohol take part?

Yes. An alternative is offered to people who do not wish to consume alcohol.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The available information does not describe it as fully accessible. Some sections involve stairs, walking, and standing between train rides, so ask the producer about your specific needs before booking.

Can I cancel the reservation?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.