© Domaine de Verchant - © Hôtel Richer de Belleval by Emmanuel Laveran - © Baumanière
Out of ideas for a weekend off the radar? Here’s a tip: browse the Relais & Châteaux catalog. A sure value, this label, founded in 1954, brings together 580 exceptional hotels and tables worldwide, including 154 in France. To join, one must meet the famous 5 C’s: Character, Charm, Calm, Courtesy, and Cuisine. Hand-picked, here’s a closer look at our favorite gems.
Baumanière, the aesthete HQ in the garrigue
The spot : Just below Les Baux-de-Provence, the cliffs of Val d’Enfer are misleadingly named. This Relais & Châteaux is a legendary haven whose glamour has spanned generations. Founded by Raymond Thuillier, a visionary insurer, this jewel was one of the first Relais & Châteaux, emerging after WWII. The VIP guest list is a dream: Humphrey Bogart, de Gaulle, Christian Dior, Picasso, Cocteau, Grace Kelly, Bono… Even today, it's not uncommon to spot celebrities lounging by the pool under olive trees or relaxing in the stunning spa, partnered with the Sisley brand. Set across five Provençal farmhouses, its 53 rooms and suites were decorated by the mistress of the house, Geneviève Charial, whose innate sense of understated elegance is spot-on.
The table : Baumanière is also, and above all, a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant, run since 2015 by Breton chef Glenn Viel, who deftly reinvents Mediterranean classics with fresh ingredients from the organic garden. For a change of pace: La Cabro d’Or, the brasserie with a charming terrace shaded by mulberry trees, and a chocolate shop run by the executive pastry chef of the gourmet restaurant.
Baumanière Les Baux de Provence, Mas de Baumanière, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence.
© GdeLaubier © Gvoinot
Domaine de Verchant, a charming stay in the vineyards
The spot : Just minutes from Montpellier, this Relais & Châteaux nestled among the vineyards is calling your name. Here, they cultivate the art of idleness in a former Roman farmhouse surrounded by a garden with centuries-old pines and endless views over the hills. The rooms and suites, split between the main building and outbuildings, play the cozy-chic card with a mix of natural stone, raw concrete, terracotta, linen, and cotton. With five stars, Verchant boasts seductive features: three pools, a tennis court, a fitness room… Special mention for the 2,000 m² spa open to the outdoors, offering Biologique Recherche, Valmont, and Kos treatments, plus yoga and Pilates classes.
The table : Two options: Marcelle (temporarily closed for renovations until spring 2025), a fine dining spot with two five- and seven-course menus crafted by chef Alexandre Caillaud with a reimagined Languedocian cuisine base, and La Plage for a southern-inspired menu amidst the vines. Don’t miss the cellar, showcasing over 1,600 labels.
Domaine de Verchant, 1 boulevard Philippe Lamour, 34170 Castelnau-le-Lez.
© Alexia Roux
Le Chambard, gourmet escape in Alsace
The spot : Near Colmar, Kaysersberg is a mini Alsace with its half-timbered houses and flowered balconies. It’s here, in this bucolic, traditional setting, that you’ll find Le Chambard, one of the most sought-after Relais & Châteaux. Behind its 18th-century façade, this family-run house offers about thirty contemporary rooms and suites adorned with art and vintage objects. There’s also a compact but fully equipped spa with an infinity pool overlooking a summer terrace.
The table : The venue’s stellar reputation owes much to Olivier Nasti, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, who elevated it to a temple of haute cuisine in Alsace. His work has earned two Michelin stars. Drawing from the surrounding terroirs, his L’Expression menu alone justifies the 500 km trip from the capital. Le Chambard also features a traditional Winstub, an Alsatian inn with a Bib Gourmand.
Le Chambard, 13 rue du Général de Gaulle, 68240 Kaysersberg.
© Ilya Kagan
L’Auberge des Templiers, a beautiful escape in Sologne
The spot : On the Route Nationale 7 in Boismorand in Loiret, this gem built on the ruins of an old Templar commandery is the go-to address for Parisians in need of greenery. Hidden within the woodlands of a 6-hectare blooming park, this Sologne estate is just as delightful in summer for a dip in the heated outdoor pool as it is in winter for cozy moments by the grand fireplace or relaxing at the chic bar. The decor? The 20 rooms scattered across the cottages, thatched roofs, and manor house exude an English countryside style—perfectly on-trend with Regencycore.
The table : Looking for a spot to indulge just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Paris? Michelin-starred since 1952, the restaurant has been in the hands of Kévin Stroh since 2023, a young chef who honed his skills at Villa Lalique. Here, he’s inspired by local ingredients to create a refined twist on traditional dishes. The wine selection is just as impressive, featuring over 750 labels, with some vintages dating back over a century.
L’Auberge des Templiers, 20 route Départementale 2007, 45290 Boismorand.
© Auberge des Templiers
Hôtel Richer de Belleval, art and gastronomy in Montpellier
The spot : Ready for an immersion in a historic mansion combining the pleasures of both fine dining and art? The only five-star hotel in the heart of Montpellier, the Richer de Belleval houses the Fondation GGL, dedicated to contemporary art. Artist creations fit seamlessly into the common areas among stone columns, sculptures, and trompe-l'oeil elements—and even into the 15 rooms and 5 haute couture suites, treated as cabinets of curiosities with luxurious chandeliers, parquet flooring, and plush carpets. Special mention goes to the stunning bar with its ceiling crafted from thousands of beetle elytra. Simply dazzling!
The table : At the hotel’s core, Le Jardin des Sens by twin chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel is a destination in itself. Good taste reigns supreme here, both in the breathtaking decor mixing raw concrete and baroque frescoes, and in the culinary artistry, featuring creative, masterful dishes. Try the fine white summer truffle tart, melting comté ravioli, violin courgette, or the composition around Mediterranean bluefin tuna—tender, in tartare, crispy with basil, and millefeuille with tomato confit... pure artistry.
Hôtel Richer de Belleval, Place de la Canourgue, 34000 Montpellier.
© Emmanuel Laveran - Hôtel Richer de Belleval
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