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.
Made famous by the Hundred Years’ War and the famous battle of Verneuil, the town of Verneuil-sur-Avre is today the ideal place to relax... in peace. In February 2010 it was awarded the label of one of the “100 most beautiful destinations in France”. In English hands for some time, the city was re-conquered in 1449 by the French. This small château has retained some of its English charm with its spacious lawns with their straight lines and its centuries-old proudly pruned trees. One hundred years, that’s the time you would like to spend in this romantic residence tucked away close to the regional nature reserve of Perche. Don’t miss the wonderful wine cellar and collection of Calvados.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a parkView details
One hour from Le Touquet, between the Opal Coast and Belgium, the elegant facade and sophisticated interior of the Château de Beaulieu grace the surroundings of a romantic park. This architectural gem is also home to one of the best restaurants in the region. The chef, Marc Meurin, pays tribute to Pas-de-Calais producers by using ingredients like Boulogne-sur-Mer scallops, Etaples bass and other fish and shellfish from the North Sea - “because of the currents in the nearby sea, the fish become strong and daring, which ultimately enhances the quality of their taste”. You can savour his creations in two glass-roofed restaurants and learn the tricks of the trade by attending his cooking classes.
Lindsay and Christian German, the owners of this manor house just a stone’s throw from Le Touquet and the Channel tunnel, have combined the best of both worlds to make a visit to this property an absolute must. When English charm meets French fine dining, you are obviously in for a seriously enjoyable stay. A stroll along the ramparts of the town and some of the finest beaches on this Opal Coast await you.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
Gilles Tournadre was born in Normandy and has remained faithful to his region. This progressive chef knows everything there is to know about the culinary traditions of his part of the world and adds his personal touch to the local style, such as his version of the traditional Normandy pressed duck recipe. Here the classics are joyfully reinterpreted and given a new twist.
A staunch defender of top-quality products, he will always prefer to serve
“a fresh line-caught whiting brought to shore by a little fishing boat rather than an imported turbot”. And what can we say other than… he’s right!
Formerly an inn, at one time a grocery, and then a country delicatessen… This ancient Normandy manor house has already lived several lives. Today it is an intimate hideaway, romantic down to the finest detail. Prepare yourself to fall in love under the willows… Not far from Trouville and Honfleur, this is the ideal starting point for sampling the best that the region has to offer.
It was with this remark that the painter Eugène Boudin expressed his love for this place in one of his notebooks. With its bucolic charm and its washed-out light effects, the Saint-Siméon farm was one of the favourite refuges of the Impressionists. Monet and Courbet came in search of their colours. The poet Baudelaire also came here in search of inspiration abandoning the melancholy of Paris for the little port of Honfleur. Now restored, the premises today offer spa and beauty treatments worthy of the Roman thermal baths. “Oh Saint-Siméon!”, how hard it is to leave…
“It is easier to get to heaven from a cottage than from a palace” wrote Saint Francis of Assisi. You will agree with him once you have set foot here in “God’s little acre”. Exceptional seafood cuisine, sunsets beneath your window that set the ocean alight and the little port of Honfleur just steps away… For those who love long horseback rides and romantic interludes.
A journey back in time awaits you at this castle listed as a historic monument. Its first owner, the Lord of Percy, was also William the Conqueror’s personal chef. However, the major historic chapter to relive in the surrounding area is the battle of Normandy - which changed the course of the Second World War between June and August 1944. This is the best Relais & Châteaux address for discovering the beaches of the D-Day landings, as well as to explore the Mont Saint-Michel.
