By bike, 2 CV or by air, you’ll complete this Route du Bonheur in the time it takes to explore the eateries of Bordeaux, enjoy hedonistic romps through the vineyards and partake of trips to the beach under the majestic Pyla dune. It’s then back to the Aquitaine countryside for a trip through the Périgord region, along the Dordogne.
Once on the Quercy and Larzac plateaus, the pace slows. A detour via the wonderful Soulages Museum and the little-known medieval façades of Rodez will take you to the Causses plateaus, a magnificent peaceful wilderness.
This property is open.
Hotel and restaurant in a village. The Saint-James occupies buildings designed in 1989 by the famous architect Jean Nouvel. They nestle in the delightful little village of Bouliac, in a garden fragrant with lemon trees and antique roses. Inspired by the old tobacco drying lofts, four pavilions, linked by a gallery, create a modern pure space. Far away, you can see the Landes of Gascogne forest, the biggest collection of maritime pines in Europe. The gourmet cuisine is one of the major attractions of the Saint James: the chef serves cuisine which is full of flavour and based on local market ingredients, rounded off by the selection of wines from an outstanding cellar and panoramic views of Bordeaux. ... Learn moreless
This property is annually closed. Reopening on 3/2/23
Hotel and restaurant in a village. Wine enthusiasts will instantly recognise the name Saint-Émilion as one of the principal appellations of Bordeaux. Savour some great wines at the Hôtel de Pavie, 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 the chef, who draws inspiration from the fresh food markets and the treasures of local farmers. ... Learn moreless
This property is annually closed. Reopening on 3/4/23
Hotel and restaurant in a village. In Brantôme, the Venice of the Périgord, this ivy-clad mill is one of the most delightful places in the Dordogne. The vista takes in the impressive bridge, a 16th century masterpiece, the monastery garden, the medieval tower, the Renaissance pavillion and the famous abbey founded by Charlemagne. The rooms and lounges are elegant and cosy, and the light-filled dining room opens out onto a terrace on the river banks. The Chef creates innovative, delectable cuisine showcasing local produce. At the mill itself, the miller’s house and the house where the famous Abbot of Brantôme, Pierre de Bourdeilles, once lived, the stage is set to enjoy this romantic, magical setting. ... Learn moreless
This property is open.
Hotel and restaurant in a village. Author Henry Miller knew and loved France better than many French people. He was always in search of, inspirational locations. He originally planned to spend a week at this hotel in the heart of the black Périgord 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. 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 a relaxed atmosphere until dusk approaches and it is time to do a tasting of some fabulous regional wines. ... Learn moreless
This property is annually closed. Reopening on 3/25/23
Hotel and restaurant on a river. 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. The Chef adapts the cuisine of the terroir, based on foie gras or lamb from the Causses du Quercy nature park. A delicious dinner can be enjoyed in the Grand Louis XIII Salon, or on the terrace overlooking the Dordogne. Breathe in pure, fresh air and look around wide-eyed to take in this extraordinary setting. ... Learn moreless
This property is annually closed. Reopening on 4/6/23
Restaurant and hotel in the country. Sébastien Bras has been at the helm of Le Suquet since 2009, and is forging his own path, reminiscent of the one his father also took. His intuitive and carefully crafted exceptional cuisine provides the perfect showcase for the treasures of the vegetable world offered by the Aubrac plateau. Imagination is given free rein in subtle pairings and harmonies which express this multifaceted living world. The pearly white monkfish and its black olive sauce tell of Gods battling in the skies over Aubrac: your plate is a fragment of the universe. Nature is at the very heart of the Bras family’s daily endeavours. ... Learn moreless
**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments before December 31, 2022, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments before December 31, 2022, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
"I was born in l’Aubrac. This is the place where I was born, and where I live with my family. This place Aveyron, in the North, is a land of transition between the chain of the volcanos of Auvergne and the open plateaux on the Mediterranean. From our mountain, we have modestly dominated the horizon. Here, the Aubrac cows, which can be recognised by their wheat-colour coat and their fur-fringed eyes, occupy the summer pastures, quietly occupying the landscape. These are places of few words but also of great beauty. Places where knives and cheese are manufactured every day. Places which extend and reinvent tradition. Just like our restaurant…"