Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Martell House, located in Cognac, New Aquitaine, is an iconic architectural ensemble linked to cognac production. Founded in 1715, this commercial house was established in 1833 on Rue Gâte-Bourse in early 19th century buildings. The present set is mainly rebuilt in the 1850s by architect Eugene Demangeat, with cellars, an office and a bottling workshop organized around a central square courtyard.

At the end of the 19th century, major works transformed the site: the distillery was built in 1890, followed by new cellars and a counter in 1906. In 1928, a four-storey concrete and brick bottle tower was erected. These extensions reflect the industrial expansion of Martell, one of the oldest cognac houses. The distillery, transformed into a coopererie circa 1930, bears witness to the technical adaptations of the site.

In 1882, the factory employed 200 people and a team of steam engines, while in 1988 the workforce reached 778 employees before the company was sold to the Canadian Seagram group. The facades, roofs, the courtyard and some interior elements (such as the lightnings of cellar No.10) were listed as historical monuments in 1995. The ensemble illustrates both the architectural heritage and the industrial evolution of the cognac.

The site retains a characteristic spatial organization, despite successive modifications. In the heart of the courtyard, "la Coquille", an older building, recalls the varied uses of the place. The materials used — wood panel, brick, cut stone, concrete — and the structures (exposed carpents, roofs of slate or tiles) highlight the diversity of construction periods and industrial functions.

Today, Martell House remains a symbol of Cognac heritage, combining history, architecture and economic memory. Its ranking in 1995 recognizes its historical and technical value, while preserving a major testimony of local industry since the 18th century.

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