THE CITADELLE GIN EXPERIENCE
AT CHÂTEAU DE BONBONNET
FROM COAST TO COGNAC
French gin. French? Gin? Citadelle Gin is about as French as it gets.
The ingredients, the setting, the history, the recipe...and ooh la la, it tastes divine. Bienvenue à Maison Ferrand and a brand experience par excellence.
LIBERTÉ, EGALITE, FRATERNATÉ AND A SPLASH OF TONIC
Maison Ferrand is one of the world's premier boutique fine spirits producers. And Citadelle is the original and No.1 French Gin. How original? You ask. The recipe was first cooked up in Dunkirk in 1771. That's before the French Revolution!
This ancient recipe was discovered by Alexandre Gabriel (Maison Ferrand's founder), who took it to Cognac and launched Citadelle Gin in 1996. Then in 2022, we were asked to design a brand home worthy of the exceptional spirit and the iconic Château de Bonbonnet.
Maison Ferrand wanted an authentic celebration of the balmy French coast at Citadelle's new home in the heart of the Charente region. Together we created a magical, immersive guest journey. Design and storytelling coastward, but fully embraced the grandeur and pastoral idyll of the brand's family estate.
WELCOME TO OUR NOT-SO-HUMBLE ABODE
The experience begins in The Boutique, with its super stylish welcome and retail areas. A place to meet, relax and soak up the atmosphere. Guests are then invited to a sensory tête à tête with the raw botanicals in The Orangerie and nearby juniper fields.
Then, onto the cathedral-esque distillery, to learn about Citadelle's unique production story. This is the only gin in the world distilled over a naked flame and the only gin to use an infusion technique with its own patent.
After a heady concoction of history and chemistry, guests arrive at the elegant Botanicals Room, with its bar reflecting Citadelle's unique bottle shape. Here, at the communal table, gin flows straight from the distillery, creating a unique take on sustianable hospitality. We also created a gin fountain, where guests may refill
their bottles.
DESIGNING L'ARTE DE VIVRE
The Citadelle Gin Experience brings the pioneering French gin's personality to life, celebrates its 'le arte de vivre' ethos and deepens bonds with lovers of the brand.
Maison Ferrand opened up their home and invited us in to champion a story of natural ingredients and a pursuit of excellence. Citadelle was launched in April 2024, and has already led to more collaborations with the Contagious team.
