Cognac (French pronunciation: [kɔɲak] ⓘ; Saintongese: Cougnat; Occitan: Conhac [kuˈɲak] ⓘ) is a commune in the Charente department, southwestern France.

In 1526, it lent its name to the War of the League of Cognac, the military alliance established by King Francis I of France to fight against the House of Habsburg.

In 1790, following the French Revolution that began the year before, the provinces were abolished and Angoumois became part of the newly created department of Charente.

The town is situated on one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela and is home to the French Air Force training base 709.

With a focus on crime fiction and thrillers, it showcases and awards prizes to novels, comic books, film, theatre, and television[5][6][7] The town gives its name to one of the world's best-known types of brandy or eau de vie.

All Cognac is produced by blending a variety of eau de vie which can be made from grapes from different locations, and from different vintages.

It is the cellar master's skill that ensures that a brand's Cognac is recognizable regardless of when it is produced, since he can blend multiple eaux de vie to achieve the right taste for his house.