5 hotels to sleep in the heart of the vineyards
Let's head for our five favorite hideaways in the heart of France's most beautiful vineyards. Try them as soon as possible to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the harvest period, discover the secrets of wine-making, and take part in the best tastings.
Wine lovers swear by these addresses, which offer much more than simple hospitality. Set in the heart of the vineyards, they all invite you to enjoy a totally immersive experience, with its own codes and know-how. A blind tasting, a walk through the vines, a discovery of every stage in the wine-making process... The refuges we've chosen for you all possess that rare generosity, the art of sharing their heritage and their passion.
In the Marne Valley, Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa
Long gone are the days when the kings of France stopped here before their coronation in Reims, and yet this former coaching inn has lost none of its prestige. Spectacular volumes magnified by architect Giovanni Pace; rooms as spacious as they are luxurious, with noble materials and exceptional bedding; a 1,500 m² spa with an indoor swimming poolIn addition to these many assets, the Royal offers a unique experience, largely focused on the soul of the place - champagne. This five-star hotel is set in the heart of a vast listed vineyard, with the mythical town of Epernay on the horizon. Here, tasting begins at the Le Bellevue bar or in the Fines Bulles lounge, dedicated exclusively to champagne. It continues at the gastronomic restaurant Le Royal, which offers a menu to match the finest Champagne wines, put together by sommeliers who combine sure-fire values with more confidential vintages. Last but not least, you can visit the surrounding cellars and take a bicycle tour through the vineyards.
- Rooms from 900 euros
- 9 rue de la République 51160 Champillon. Tel: 03 26 52 87 11
- www.royalchampagne.com
DR
In Provence, Le Château de Berne
Just an hour from Saint-Tropez, a secret address hidden away in the heart of an immense estate of forests and organic vines (150 hectares). Guests come here for the Provencal spirit of the château and its outbuildings, which form a real village with its square, fountains and boutiques; the 34 luxurious rooms and suites with their terracotta floor tiles and antique furniture; the spa with indoor pool, hammam and sauna; and the gastronomic offerings led by Louis Rameau, who heads the three tables on site. Each offers exceptional cuisine enhanced by the choices of Alexis Cornu, the in-house oenologist, who celebrates the emblematic Grande Cuvée, available in white, red and rosé. Also not to be missed are the many wine-related activities on offer, including cellar tours and a wine day exploring the estate's vineyards.
- Rooms from 336 euros
- Route de Salernes Lorgues Tel: 04 94 60 48 88
- www.chateauberne.com
droneyourpropety
In the Lot, Le Mas Azemar
At the foot of Château de Mercues and in the heart of the Cahors vineyards, a XVIIIᵉ manor house skillfully restored by Sabine and Claude Patrolin. Here, just five rooms with their stone walls and antique furniture mottled in the region's auction rooms and antique shops, all open onto the vineyards tumbling down to the banks of the Lot. From autumn onwards, you can warm up in front of the fireplace in the little yellow lounge before joining the table d'hôte, which opens onto the park and swimming pool, to enjoy delicious 100% home-cooked food and the best local wines. After this introduction, make a date to visit the winery of a neighboring vineyard and enjoy blind tastings.
- Rooms from 149 euros
- Rue du Mas de Vinssou 46090 Mercues. Tel 05 65 30 96 85
- www.masazemar.com
In the Bordeaux region, Château de Troplong Mondot
Set atop the Saint-Émilion hill, this château offers a 180° view of the world's most famous vineyards. It's also one of Bordeaux's most refined retreats, with rooms and suites scattered throughout the XVIIIᵉ mansion and its two other houses, lounges and its Les Belles Perdrix restaurant led by chef David Charrier. Here you can taste the wines of the region, starting with the estate's own wine, an exceptional Grand Cru Classé, before taking a 4x4 tour of the vineyards and going behind the scenes of how a great wine is made, from the particularities of each soil to the benefits of horse-drawn ploughing. And the best is yet to come, with the discovery of the immense cathedral-like cellar, not to mention a remarkable tasting program.
- Double room from 280 euros
- Château de Troplong Mondot 33330 Saint-Emilion Tel: 05 57 55 32 05
- www.troplong-mondot.com
Romain Ricard
In the Loire Valley, Les Sources de Cheverny
We've known them since 1999, when we created the famous Sources de Caudalie, a magnificent hotel in the heart of the Château Smith Haut-Lafitte vineyard in the Bordeaux region. The success of this first address prompted Alice and Jérôme Tourbier to extend its spirit to the heart of the Loire Valley vineyards, by purchasing a former XVIIIᵉ mansion, the Château du Breuil. Extensively restored and now enriched with a farmhouse and contemporary longères, the château houses a total of 49 rooms and suites with a country-chic feel, the verys spa des Sources, obviously designed by Caudalie, as well as the bistro-style cuisine of the Auberge and the more gastronomic Favori, created by talented chef Frédéric Calmels. Here, you can taste the finest Loire Valley wines selected by the estate's expert sommeliers, who also offer fascinating wine-tasting workshops.
- Double room from 320 euros
- 23 route de Fougères 41700 Cheverny. Tel: 02 54 44 20 20
- www.sources-cheverny.com
MPMorel
An escape to Corsica: Domaine de Peretti della Rocca
Just a stone's throw from Figari, this winegrowing estate has converted its historic house into four bedrooms and restored four sheepfolds, where guests can set down their suitcases between the mountains and the maquis. Here, you can savour the local art of living with the delights of the table d'hôtes, aptly named A Spartera, the Corsican word for sharing. You can also discover the estate's wines, with their endemic grape varieties (Sciaccarellu, Nielluccio...) and the particularities of their production, notably the entirely manual harvest. These harvests are rare moments, shared by the guests present at this time of year. But rest assured, the estate lives and breathes wine all year round, offering cellar visits, tastings, vineyard walks and wine-making tours.
- Double room from 228 euros
- Route de Pruno 20114 Figari. Tel: 04 95 72 96 81
- www.deperettidellarocca.com
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