We found one of the most beautiful estates in Burgundy, offering both golf and fine dining

In the heart of the Yonne department, between Joigny and Auxerre, the Domaine du Roncemay is a haven of peace for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers. An intimate hotel with the nearby woods as its only view.

Mélodie Tissot Published today at 10:25

The narrow road winding up the hill amid the lush green expanses of the Yonne leaves travelers unsure of their final destination. Then, at the end of a path where two cars can barely pass each other, the Roncemay estate comes into view. As soon as they arrive, visitors are enveloped by the surrounding tranquility. It’s worth noting that the property spans 140 hectares, including 25 hectares of orchards and 60 hectares of golf course: a paradise for golf enthusiasts since the 1990s, when this former hunting lodge was converted into a hotel. Taken over in 2018 by two partners, Jeanne Frangié and Thierry Garret, the property then began a new transformation.

A Green Oasis

The twenty-three rooms and suites at the Domaine du Roncemay are harmoniously distributed across two locations. The “Château,” located in the historic building, features four suites and a bistro overlooking an imposing stone staircase. The house cat lounges there, taking in the view of the pond and the famous “No. 5” hole that arcs over it. Across from it, the imposing farmhouse houses the lobby, the gourmet restaurant, the bar, and the golf shop—spaces that open widely onto the outdoors and the green, where golfers tee off for a 9- or 18-hole round. For those curious to give the game a try, the hotel lends out clubs and even offers lessons. Tennis and pétanque courts are also freely available, complete with rackets, balls, and boules. And for those wishing to explore the surrounding area, the hotel provides hiking itineraries and offers electric bike rentals by the day. Walkers can also stroll through the orchards where quince, walnut, and other fruit trees grow, not far from the former jam factory that has been transformed into a showcase for classic cars.

Domaine Du Roncemay C Le Roncemay(3)

Gentle Scenes

This beautiful natural setting offers a most soothing view from the spacious rooms, decorated in shades of blue and featuring exposed beams. On the walls, wallpaper featuring feathers and deer serves as a constant reminder of the surrounding wildlife, such as the does that can regularly be spotted at the edge of the woods. The furnishings—including period dressers and wardrobes—evoke the history of the place. So do the photographs dating from the early 20th century, scattered throughout the hotel and capturing, across the ages, the moments of togetherness shared here by families and friends.

The evening light is already bathing the estate, and it’s time to head to the Erre gourmet restaurant, where Chef Clément Vergeat—who, at age 24, made a mark on the 2018 season of *Top Chef*—creates dishes inspired by Scandinavia, Burgundy, and his native Cévennes. The dinner concludes on a high note with desserts created by his partner, pastry chef Marine Mateos, such as this reimagined vacherin with citrus and black bergamot—the latter having been dried for weeks so it could be grated like a spice.

Upon waking, a mist had settled as the first golfers teed off. Breakfast is served in a rustic setting, with bouquets of dried flowers, wooden tables, and Victorian plates. Then it’s off to the spa, a majestic 800-square-meter space inspired by the Burgundian washhouse in Noyers-sur-Serein, a medieval village nearby. The pool stretches beneath a beautiful wooden roof structure, while Burgundian stone lends a sense of clarity and purity to this space designed for relaxation: a hammam, sauna, whirlpool, and sensory tunnels… to round out this rejuvenating escape.