Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 500 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 60 countries. From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.
In all our properties, each maître de maison draws upon his unique experience and passion to share the authentic culture and tastes of his region with every guest.
Magical places and memories of a lifetime: whether it be a romantic weekend or to celebrate the important moments of life such as birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoon or family reunions.
Established in France more than 50 years ago, Relais & Châteaux has become a renowned reference of excellence in the hotel and restaurant world. The Association's mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), France
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
The ocean’s only rival here is the mountain. Between these two worlds lies Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a village with eternal charm, its old buildings perched on the banks of the river Nive. Charles II of Navarre called it “the key to my kingdom”. It is here that Anne-Marie and Firmin Arrambide, the chef whom you will probably run into at the market, have turned a former stagecoach lodge with arched doorways made from sandstone dating back to 1729 into a place of total relaxation. Their son Philippe works in the kitchen and their daughter Sandrine is also part of the team who create an extraordinary culinary and sensory experience in a delightful family atmosphere.
The towers of this château are so close to the river that it feels as if they are floating on it. Located between the Lot, known as the “Land of marvels”, and the Dordogne, home to more than one thousand châteaux, the Château de la Treyne is the ideal base from which to set off and explore this fascinating region. A delicious dinner can be enjoyed in the Grand Louis xii Salon, or on the terrace overlooking the Dordogne. Breathe in pure, fresh air and look around wide-eyed to take in this extraordinary setting.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the beach, this 19th century Napoleon III-style mansion in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in the heart of the Basque Country, offers an intimate setting sheltered by century-old trees. Close to both ocean and mountains, there is an abundance of activities, including swimming in the pool in the middle of the park. Inside there is an Art deco interior décor and furniture. At the restaurant a convivial, generous and regional cuisine, inspired by the markets of the Basque Country, can be enjoyed.
Historians are divided on the etymology of the name Mirepoix. For some, it comes from the Occitan language and means “he who watches fish”, while for others it comes from Latin and means “he who looks at the mountain”. Indeed, the experts will probably never agree when it comes to this little medieval castle town located between the clear waters of the river Hers and the impressive Tabe mountain range, except on one thing: its irresistible charm. It is here that the elegant Relais Royal hotel immerses you in its romantic atmosphere. Succumb to the charm of the inner courtyard, garden, swimming pool, majestic rooms and stone walls dressed in winding ivy. The hotel is also ideally situated to explore Carcassonne and its majestic Cathare castles.
Situated right on the beach, in the middle of the beautiful bay of La Flotte, Le Richelieu invites you to relax and regenerate. From here, guests can explore the charming île de Ré, which offers a perfect balance between historical sights and beautiful nature. After a refreshing swim in the ocean, head to the town of La Flotte to visit its medieval market and get lost in its narrow streets. Back at the hotel, recharge your batteries with an exceptional Thalassotherapy treatment at the spa, and cap off your day with a delectable dinner at the hotel’s restaurant with its panoramic views of one of the most beautiful bays of the Atlantic.
Staying in this 13th century château overlooking the Lot valley is a truly unique experience, an authentic immersion in the history of France during the Middle Ages. For this was the summer residence of the Counts and Bishops of Cahors for seven centuries. Today, the Chef draws his inspiration from local producers, and has won an international reputation for working wonders with black Lalbenque truffles and Quercy lamb. The wine list includes the great Malbec wines and vintages produced in the château’s very own wine cellars.
Hotel in the country and restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux
A small country palace, a romantic haven, a feast for the senses, for pampering your body and letting your mind wander. This family home is an invitation to happiness. Fairytale gardens, aristocratic abode and symphonic cuisine. A musical quartet, where herb and ancient rose gardens line the pathway to a stunning spa, La Ferme Thermale®. In the kitchen, Michel Guérard creates celestial marvels. Everywhere else, Christine casts her poetic touch.
Near the city of Carcassonne and the canal du Midi, both listed as Unesco World Heritage sites, the Domaine d’Auriac is built on the ancient settlement of Carsac, where the history of Carcassonne began. Today, calm and comfort reign supreme here. Enjoy strolls around the bucolic park, accompanied by singing birds, and savour the Mediterranean aromas. Play a round on the 18-hole golf course or relax in the sumptuous swimming pool. And if the medieval town of Carcassonne does not quench your thirst for history, then it’s worth a visit to Rennes-le-Château, made famous by the legendary abbot Saunière and a treasure that is still shrouded in mystery.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux on the seafront
Concurrence beach stretches out at the foot of this veritable beacon of gastronomy in the Charente. Nothing is left to chance here. Just imagine a truly exceptional moment, where time stands still, and where your pleasure comes first. The clocks have stopped on this Relais & Châteaux Route du Bonheur letting you share a memorable experience. Today Christopher, the son, is in sole command. He has been strongly influenced by his father's legendary culinary rigour on which he puts his own personal stamp. However, the “hallmark signature” of the restaurant has not changed: superb seafood, sourced that very morning at the harbour market, creativity and passion for fine dining. Dare to ask for the secret behind that Breton lobster stew in shellfish butter, or for tips on how to recreate in your own home a crispy line-caught sea bass in a shellfish foam. Added to that there is a cellar with more than one thousand different labels and 20,000 bottles.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
Contemporary interior designer Jacques Garcia has worked wonders with the décor of this 13th century building, that was once home to the Counts of Toulouse. The mood is theatrical and luxurious. Sofas with feet that look like lion paws sit beside velvety wall hangings. There is a touch of the artist Jean Cocteau here too, with an avant-garde chandelier that appears out of a wall. Your itinerary should include visiting the region which is one of the most beautiful parts of France, and sampling the recipes dreamt up by the Grand Chef Michel Trama, notably his potato papillote and lobster lasagne, a few reasons the restaurant is not to be missed.
Between Cognac and Bordeaux, two renowned wine-growing regions, this Renaissance-style château enjoys a commanding position in the heart of this superb eight-hectare park overlooking the Gironde estuary. This superb residence boasts a past which is rich in both art and history. Its exquisite furnishing fabrics, antique furniture and crystal chandeliers take you back to an elegant and cosseting atmosphere where you lose all sense of time. Château de Mirambeau, which expresses a French art de vivre that is sophisticated yet unpretentious, offers delightful gourmet cuisine. When evening comes, seek out one of the most fascinating rooms in the château, the “Cognathèque”. This is the ideal place if you want an initiation into the tasting of wine and the best cognacs.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
After he has been at the helm of the Suquet since 2009, Sébastien Bras has been carving out his own path on the plateau d’Aubrac, following in the footsteps of his father. And while that well-trodden path is there for all to enjoy, his precise and inventive cuisine is punctuated by the excitement of the moment. We are humbly presented with the plant world in all its many-splendoured glory, subtle pairings are playfully explored, in a cuisine that reflects every nuance of flavour of this living world. Here, on the plateau d’Aubrac, life moves apace with nature. If a menu is faithfully to reflect the local area day by day, then nature has to be at its very core.
Author Henry Miller knew and loved France better than many French people. He was always in search of exceptional locations that would inspire him. He originally planned to spend a week at this hotel but ended up staying a month. Inside the former tobacco drying barn that has been converted into a dining room or outside under the linden trees, Miller’s spirit lives on in the restaurant. Like the author, you will appreciate the tranquillity of this former priory with its lovely gardens, babbling brook and natural pool in which you can swim. While away the hours in this relaxed atmosphere until dusk approaches and it is time to do a tasting of some fabulous regional wines.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a vineyard
This 17th century former Carthusian monastery is a prime location for relaxation and an awakening of the senses. In the restaurant, Grand Chef Jean-Luc Rocha works with style and subtlety. His contemporary and sophisticated cuisine – pain perdu with seaweed and thin cuttlefish strips, baby lamb in citrus dressing with fava beans and creamy peas – makes every meal a surprising experience. The menu, inspired by the great tradition of French cuisine, is enhanced by the best wines from Bordeaux and elsewhere. Located amongst the vineyards, this contemporary hotel offers the ideal combination for a comfortable, relaxed and revitalizing stay. In partnership with wine experts Château Lynch-Bages, Cordeillan-Bages proposes an epicurean itinerary through the universe of wine and cuisine.
Just outside Limoges, there is a peaceful haven where the lush vegetation is at its most beautiful. Time seems to stand still at La Chapelle Saint-Martin, where guests can step back in time and experience what life in the private residence of this 19th century porcelain manufacturer would have been like. Those who are partial to a beautiful landscape will instantly fall in love with the chapel surrounded by 35 hectares of 200 year-old trees. The surrounding countryside is delightful, and the grounds, ponds and old dock are the perfect place for quiet contemplation. While the house and gardens are historic, the inspirational cuisine is refreshingly modern.
The beautiful island of Ré is really worth a visit. Among the charming ports linked by a network of pathways to be explored by bike, crisscrossing the sandy earth, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, surrounded by the Vauban fortifications, is the best place to stay. The hotel is a 17th century shipbuilder’s residence with windows overlooking the port, near the fortress by Vauban, a Unesco World Heritage site with spectacular views of the Atlantic. There is also the option to stay in the Villa Clarisse – 18th century private mansion – just a stone’s throw away. Both hotels boast gardens, views of the old town and heated swimming pool. Here, the mast of a passing fishing boat may perhaps be the only thing to disturb your view of the setting sun.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
Wine enthusiasts will instantly recognise the name Saint-Émilion as one of the principal appellations of Bordeaux. The village itself is a gem, one of the most delightful spots in France. Savour some great wines at the Hostellerie de Plaisance, where hosts Chantal and Gérard Perse warmly welcome guests to their elegant but relaxed retreat with stunning views of the vineyards as well as the medieval village, a Unesco World Heritage site. The interiors are an excellent blend of sophistication and comfort. At the restaurant be spoiled by the cuisine of Grand Chef Philippe Etchebest, who draws inspiration from the fresh food markets, treasures of local farmers and rhythms of the seasons to develop his menus.
“Just like an Italian palazzo, overlooking a garden with fountains...” Under the benevolent protection of the village’s medieval church and the shade of tall century-old plane trees, stands this beautiful 18th century charterhouse. The stone arcades of its sand colored frontage invite you to discover an elegant succession of living and dining rooms. Spend an afternoon by the fireplace in the library, a summer night dining under the lime-tree, taking sips of amber Armagnac from its vineyards, nestled in its soft sofas; all this generous joy, real hymn to the delicious products of Gascony, matches the harmony of its luminous simplicity. In the gardens, find out your true essence thanks to the expert treatments provided at the Thermal Spa.
A former monastery and listed historical monument, the Prieuré d’Orsan invites you on a journey back in time. Far from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, there are no phones or televisions here. Nestled in a wooded valley in Berry, this charming hotel has spacious and inviting rooms. They all boast breathtaking views of the magnificent Orsan Gardens. Extending over fifteen hectares, these gardens inspired by medieval illuminations feature stunning architecture and orchards, herb and vegetable gardens that produce ingredients for the culinary delights served in the restaurant. The art of hospitality is also cultivated here making it a perfect place to unwind and recharge your batteries.
In an unspoilt valley in French Catalonia, looking out at the snow-topped mount Canigou, you will find the Château de Riell, perched among parasol pines and oleander trees. This hotel is made for those who appreciate sophisticated beauty, with its baroque interiors and a restaurant whose highlights include lamb and seafood. Sports enthusiasts can choose from the huge range of outdoor activities against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery and the open-air swimming pool set on the castle’s ramparts. Discerning gentlemen travellers will be impressed by the ambiance that owner Biche Barthélémy has created in her castle. The Out of Africa bar has a safari theme and the dacha, where you can sit and read or just enjoy breakfast, will make you feel like you have stepped into a Russian novel. A splendid escape in Romanesque Roussillon.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
This 19th century mansion combines all that is great about the southwest of France and the Landes, the country of wide open spaces. The scent of the sea pines drifts over those relaxing by the swimming pool or on the white sandy beaches, only a few kilometres away. Grand Chef Jean Coussau concocts gourmet recipes originating from the region with its wealth of exceptional products, like wild Adour salmon, hot duck foie gras with grapes or sand asparagus from the Landes.
In the 1980's, Serge Blanco was an elegant rugby player responsible for some of the most glorious moments in the history of the French national team. Today, this fan of sport and gastronomy owns the unspoilt, romantic château where Sir Reginald Wright, an influential English senator, hosted tea dances in the 1930's. The château stands next to the largest private lake in France, the perfect place for peaceful strolls and romantic stays, in the company of the local, wild ducks.
The Queen Mother of England made this charming hotel her base when she visited Albi, the native town of the artist Toulouse-Lautrec. In 2010, Unesco classified this episcopal city, a medieval gem constructed in red brick, a World Heritage site. Just as the royal visitor did, appreciate the gentle way of life, the spacious rooms opening right onto the beautiful park, and dinners in the restaurant or terrace, with magnificent views of the river Tarn. With a glass of Gaillac in hand, discover the beauty of post-Impressionist landscapes whilst learning how Albi witnessed the birth of Catharism and, during the Renaissance, supplied pigments to the greatest painters of the age.
“Greeting our guests as we do our friends” is the motto of Sylvie and Olivier Lacroix, the couple who own this superb country mansion. They are a goldmine of information when it comes to this beautiful region, and will advise you on how best to discover it by using the scenic routes and lanes. The Lacroix family collect old Armagnacs and will be more than happy to introduce you to the region’s best sun-soaked wines, Madiran, Jurançon and Tursan, which are best enjoyed in the shade of the big leafy plane tree or by the ancient oak tree of the Bassibé Estate.
