The Château Life

OUR WHIRLWIND TRIP WITH COVER STAR ADITI RAO HYDARI TO THE FRENCH MANOR HOUSE OF GREY GOOSE—LE LOGIS—IN COGNAC WAS SURREAL. IT PAYS TO EXPERIENCE ‘WHAT MONEY CAN’T BUY’.

- Aindrila Mitra

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT MONEY INDEED CAN’T BUY.

And that’s what the creators and brand custodians of Le Logis, the spiritual home of the French brand Grey Goose, take pride in. Most of us still haven’t heard about this (read secret) château, because it’s not easy to score an invite. But if you are passionate about the French countryside and the traditional wheat drink, then you’ll find your way to this haven of tranquillity tucked away in the village of Juillac-le-Coq in the Cognac region, sooner than later.

On a sprightly fall afternoon, my production crew and I make our way to the 16th-century manor house to shoot the cover and cover feature for this year-end party edition of Travel+Leisure India & South Asia. Hydari is bewildered by the immaculate beauty of the place. I cannot help but soak up the surreal vibe of the centuries-old restored château. The structure was purchased by Bacardi in 2013, and after a year-long conservation project, it became the home for their brand, Grey Goose.