Forget Versailles, Chantilly and all the other tourist traps dotted along the Loire. On a cliffedge overhanging the Dordogne sits the ethereal Château de la Treyne, an awe-inspiring hotel steeped in French history.
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Since medieval times it’s been a home to knights and noblemen, and during the Second World War it even held the Louvre Museum’s prized Egyptian collection. In 1982 it was bought by Philippe and Stephanie Gombert, who injected a new lease of life into the remarkable premises with a comprehensive “face-lift” and modernisation, whilst still preserving its rich heritage. Today, the ever-charming Stephanie is still involved in every aspect of the accommodation’s day-to-day life. Indeed, guests feel welcomed from the offset, with everyone that enters being treated like an old friend.
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It was hardly surprising to find out that Château de la Treyne’s restaurant boasts a Michilin star. Chef Stéphane Andrieux has headed it since its inception, using only locally-sourced produce, organic vegetables grown on site and bread that’s baked in the premises. Set in an elaborate yet cosy Louis XIII-style dining room, it really does feel like stepping back in time. Ornate wooden panelling, shimmering chandeliers, remarkable tapestries and a vast fireplace that extends from floor to ceiling, ensure every guest feels like nothing less than royalty.
