France: the best hotels in the South-West

1. Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Hôtel & Restaurant Lalique | Oenological break in the Sauternes region

A stay at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is like taking a trip back in time... Situated in the heart of the Sauternes region, the château boasts a rich historical heritage, dating back to the 13th-century when the first stones were laid. In 1618, Sieur Raymond Peyraguey planted the first plots of vines, which would become Premier Grand Cru Classé some two centuries later. The Lafaurie-Peyraguey estate has passed through the hands of numerous owners who have perpetuated the excellence and renown of Lafaurie-Peyraguey wines. In 2014, it was bought by Silvio Denz, owner of Lalique.

Transformed into a 5-star hotel, the only establishment in this category in the Sauternes region, the château reopened its doors in 2018, after four years of renovation and decoration work, now stamped Relais & Châteaux. A rejuvenation orchestrated by Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, artistic directors of Lalique Maison, with the aim of paying homage to the estate's history, while bringing it into line with the times. In the 10 rooms and 3 suites, as in the communal areas, the décor emphasizes the link between past and present. Furniture encrusted with cut crystal, glass sculptures, original wooden frameworks, precious fabrics and embroidered sheets combine the excellence of Lalique's art of living with the authentic charm of the Sauternes style.

The culinary offer? The only Michelin-starred restaurant in the Sauternes region, the hotel's gastronomic restaurant offers a panoramic view of the vines through its imposing glass roof. Chef Jérôme Schilling, 2 stars since 2022, MOF 2023, unveils an audacious cuisine that evolves with the seasons. Each season, the menu is revisited with the complicity of the head sommelier, not forgetting a fine vegetarian proposal. With tomatoes from Saint-Pierre-de-Mons, duck from Caudrot, line-caught cod, zucchinis, artichokes and eggplants from local producers, the young chef creatively revisits the region's star products, making Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey one of the region's leading gastronomic addresses. And let's not forget the impressive wine list, featuring some 2,500 references and some fine Sauternes nuggets..

We particularly like? The exceptional quality of the welcome. In keeping with the traditions of the luxury hotel industry, all guests are personally greeted by Lucie Cozzi, the hostess, and enjoy highly personalized service, the assurance of truly living "la vie de château" for a weekend.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Lalique Hotel & Restaurant
10 rooms and 3 suites, from €250 per night.
Lieu-dit Peyraguey, 33210 Bommes.

2. Relais de la Poste | The Landes address not to be missed

Located in Magescq in the Landes département, this legendary Relais & Châteaux, halfway between sand dunes and pine forest, celebrates the art of living in south-west France. Run by the Coussau family, the Relais de la Poste is housed in a 19th-century manor house set in 7 hectares of parkland with its own vineyard. Comprising 18 rooms and suites, the estate is largely renowned for its gastronomic cuisine, awarded 2 Michelin stars since 1971. Chef Jean Coussau offers delicious and daring gastronomic dishes made from seasonal produce. The double Michelin-starred restaurant is above all locavore. The chef favors a network of small local growers, breeders and fishermen to ensure sustainable, high-quality gastronomy. Unchanging specialties include goose liver served by the spoonful, berawecka fruit chutney and flaky pretzel, fillet of pollack cooked at low temperature, and nest pigeon.

The charming hotel houses a second restaurant, "Le Quillier", a modern bistro devoted to market cuisine. In an elegant pavilion that is none other than the former home of Jean Coussau's parents, a team of young chefs serves up generous plates in the bourgeois, convivial dining room or on the terrace overlooking the garden. Spontaneous recipes such as Chalosse beef striploin, wild sea bream mi-cuit and black pudding with mustard sauce and agria mashed potatoes are a delight.

What do we like best? For those staying overnight, this 4-star establishment devoted to Landes gastronomy doubles up as a wellness area with its spa equipped with a heated swimming pool, a counter-current swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a solarium, a sauna, a hammam and numerous treatment cabins.Notice to sports enthusiasts, it is possible to enjoy a range of activities close to the estate: golf, surfing, karting and motocross.

Relais de la Poste
15 keys, from €200 per night.
24 Avenue de Maremne, 40140 Magescq

3. Château-Hôtel Grand Barrail | The past in the present tense

Inaugurated in spring 2023, the Château Hôtel Grand Barrail in the heart of the Saint Emilion vineyards now boasts five stars. It was built in 1902 by René Bouchart as a gift for his future wife, in the heart of a 3-hectare park, with the aim of creating a certain Tunisian atmosphere in the main rooms. Remaining in the family until 1937, the château went through a series of owners and in 2019 became the property of the family-owned CHG Participations group (hotels Le Burgundy and the Lancaster in Paris).

The renovation carried out by Jean-Philippe Nuel has retained this slightly exotic spirit. In the Moorish room, for example, you can admire a rotunda surrounded by superb stained glass and a high mosaic depicting a desert scene in North Africa. The same atmosphere can be found in the bar, where stained-glass windows blend with muted blue walls. The château's 9 rooms feature a classic decor in keeping with the location, as evidenced by room 21 in the tower, with its beams, crystal chandelier and impressive high ceilings... We loved the 60 m² royal suite, with its large 35 m² terrace opening onto the garden.

The thirty-seven 30-35 m² rooms scattered throughout the various buildings are decorated in contemporary colors: soft green, deep blue, golden yellow and graphic carpets. The best? The Junior Suites, with their lovely terraces. The restaurant, run by Quentin Merlet (ex. Chalet du Mont d'Arbois in Megève, Château de Mirambeau, Jean Ramet in Bordeaux 1 star, Royal Champagne in Épernay... is full of surprises. The menu changes with each season, with an emphasis on local produce and local dishes: foie gras mi-cuit, shoulder of lamb confit... Good to know, the chef concocts refined picnics that are a delight to enjoy during a ride on one of the hotel's electric bikes.

We particularly like: the hotel's superb south-western terrace, the large swimming pool, the flagship Sothys spa with four cabins (including two doubles), a whirlpool bath, a hammam, a sauna and a fitness room.

Château-Hotel Grand Barrail
Rooms from €450
Bistronomic lunch menu: starter and main course or main course and dessert 32€, starter, main course and dessert 38€ - Evening menus from €65
Route de Libourne D243 33330 Saint-Emilion

4. 70 Hectares... et l'Océan | The Green Coast of the South-West

The Fontenille Collection hotel house has finished charming the Landes region with this hotel, one of the collection's three addresses on the Atlantic coast, alongside Les Hortensias du Lac in Hossegor and Les Hautes Mers on Ile d'Yeu. Guests will have to choose from 32 cosy rooms to stay in this charming 4-star hotel in Seignosse, surrounded by a peaceful golf course. Green expanses, lakes and pine forests, the uncluttered picture of 70 Hectares... et l'Océan has become an ideal address for reconnecting with nature, in calm and serenity. The interior is simple, contemporary and, above all, warm. On summer days, you can take a dip in the outdoor pool before stretching out on a deckchair facing the pine trees.

In Seignosse, between ocean and pine forest, the SEI restaurant embodies the meeting of Japan and the Landes in a refined, soothing setting. Its cuisine, both delicate and rooted in the local terroir, features emblematic dishes such as Donburi, sashimi and Landes chicken sando. More than just a restaurant, SEI is a real place to live, with a bar, karaoke area and convivial moments from lunch to dinner. True to its "Where East meets West" philosophy, every experience at SEI becomes a journey between tradition and modernity.

What do we particularly like? The hotel's exotic yet rejuvenating natural surroundings. Perfect for reconnecting with the essentials.

70 Hectares... et l'Océan
32 keys from €164 per night
Avenue du Belvédère, 40510 Seignosse

5. Les Hortensias du Lac, Hossegor | Bohemian chic surf-lodge

Nestled under the pines, facing the marine lake of Hossegor, Les Hortensias du Lac cultivates a gentle lifestyle imbued with the free, bohemian spirit of the Californian coast. Originally built in the 1930s, the Basque-Landes-style house has just undergone a complete renovation, under the impetus of Fontenille Collection, already present in the Luberon, Marseille, Minorca and near Paris.

White-panelled walls, natural materials, wicker armchairs and vintage decor give this 4-star establishment and its 25 rooms and suites the spirit of a luxury surf lodge. This identity is underlined by the boards and paddles that adorn the premises, which guests can rent to learn the discipline with a private coach. Alternatively, guests can spend hours lounging by the turquoise pool, or take a moment to themselves in the hotel's 450m² mineral spa, with treatments by myBlend. On the gastronomic front, guests can opt for a fish burger on the Estagnots beach, where the hotel has set up its cabane; a carpaccio of prawns at the Beach House du Lac, or breathtaking octopus ravioli at Les Hortensias restaurant, where chef Philippe Moreno has created a menu that pays homage to the flavours of the Landes and the Basque country. What a program!

We particularly like? The bohemian charm of the place, which combines the free spirit of Los Angeles, the refinement of the Hamptons and the authenticity of the Basque coast.

Les Hortensias du Lac
25 rooms and suites.from €180 per night for a lake view room in low season.
1578 Avenue du Tour du Lac, 40150 Soorts-Hossegor.

6. La Co(o)rniche, Dune du Pilat | Le hot-spot du Bassin d'Arcachon

Perched atop the Dune du Pilat, La Co(o)rniche hotel boasts one of the most beautiful terraces in France. Perched some 50 metres above sea level, it offers a breathtaking view of the Banc d'Arguin and the Cap Ferret peninsula, while retaining the authentic charm of a 1930s Basque house. A veritable hot-spot for Bordeaux locals, and a spectacular setting for tourists in search of a change of scenery, you can watch the sun set over the ocean while sipping a house cocktail, or enjoying a platter of the freshest seafood.

In terms of design, the Téchouyeres couple entrusted Philippe Starck with the task of giving a facelift to the authentic Basque house, a former hunting lodge built at the turn of the century. Far from the traditional codes of luxury, the 5-star establishment boasts a warm, intimate charm, underlined by raw materials and warm tones, oriental tiles, rattan furniture and "intelligent" objects that tell the story of the soul of the place. Initially with 11 rooms in the main building, the establishment has been enriched with 18 additional suites, nestled in bungalows reminiscent of oyster huts on the Cap-Ferret peninsula.

We particularly like? The idyllic setting and the view from the terrace, undeniably one of the most breathtaking in France.

La Co(o)rniche
29 rooms, from 600€ per night.
46 avenue Louis-Gaume, Pyla-sur-Mer.

7. Château de la Treyne, Lacave | A Relais & Châteaux in the Dordogne

Standing on the limestone cliffs overlooking the Dordogne River, Château de la Treyne offers guests the promise of a luxurious stay combining nature and historical heritage. Built in 1342, it became the property of the Gombert family in 1982, who transformed it into a 5-star hotel after ten years of renovation. Listed as a historic monument since 1990, Château de la Treyne welcomes guests to its 11 rooms and 7 suites. Four-poster beds, tapestries, Jouy fabrics and antique furniture pay tribute to the soul of the place, while offering guests the modern comforts of a five-star hotel.

In addition to its remarkable setting, the Château de la Treyne also boasts a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant. At the helm is chef Stéphane Andrieux, who has been celebrating the riches of Périgord and Quercy since 1998. His green asparagus from the Mallemort region, raw and cooked on its pulp with truffle juice, has become a true classic, as has his Quercy lamb with savory crust, boulangère apple and onion juice. The promise of a gastronomic weekend of the highest order.

We particularly like? The splendors of the grand salon Louis XIII in which dinner is served, the high point of a culinary experience perfect in every way.

Château de la Treyne
11 rooms and 7 suites, from €330 per night.
Château de la Treyne, Lacave.
Hotel website

8. Hôtel Ha(a)ïtza | Luxury stay at the foot of the Dune du Pilat

Alongside La Co(o)rniche, Hôtel Ha(a)ïtza is the second jewel in the crown of the Dune du Pilat. Headed by the same winning trio: William and Sophie Téchouyeres, assisted by designer Philip Stacrk. A veritable institution on the Côte d'Argent since the 1930s, where Jeanne Lanvin, Charles Trenet and Yves Montand have stayed, the establishment reopened its doors in 2016 after a complete facelift. While the neo-Basque facade has been carefully preserved, the communal areas have taken on the look of a trendy art gallery, thanks to the stained-glass windows designed by Ara Starck. The 37 rooms and 7 suites have a more streamlined design, with a combination of grey marble, light-colored wood, skylights and mirrors on the ceilings.

Designed as a "mini-village", the hotel features a year-round swimming pool, a fitness room, a spa, a hairdressing salon, a bakery-pastry shop, a brasserie-style café and a gourmet restaurant, the Skiff Club, which was awarded two Michelin stars in 2020. Here, you'll discover the cuisine of Stéphane Carrade, who has devised a highly inspired menu that gives pride of place to seasonal and regional produce. This credo has also earned the restaurant a green Michelin star, in recognition of its sustainable vision of gastronomy. Across the street, café H(a)aïtza cultivates a festive, relaxed "back from the beach" brasserie atmosphere, with a menu featuring fresh produce and simple dishes: grilled meats, fish, tapas, hams and sausages served by the slice..

Hotel Ha(a)ïtza
30 rooms, 7 suites and one apartment, from €275 per night in low season.
1 Avenue Louis Gaume, Pyla-sur-Mer.

9. Les Prés d'Eugénie | Michel Guérard's gourmet palace

Located in the heart of the Eugénie-les-Bains spa, named in honor of the Empress who was its godmother, this five-star Relais & Châteaux member, nestled in 15 hectares of parkland, is the chic, country setting for a bucolic stay. Comprising a hamlet of eighteenth-and nineteenth-century buildings, bordered by enchanting gardens and exotic plants, the establishment is a haven of peace in which to recharge your batteries. The "thermal farm", housed in an ancient residence with pastoral charm, is proof of this, as is the program of botanical and detox cures specially designed to restore well-being and serenity.

In addition to its idyllic setting, Les Prés d'Eugénie is also a gastronomic destination of excellence. The L'Orangerie restaurant offers seasonal cuisine, including the famous Minceur menu for which the hotel has been renowned since the 1970s, while the Ferme aux Grives offers guests the opportunity to discover Gascon cuisine that is as generous as it is warm, and the huge fireplace is used to roast meats.But it's thanks to the gastronomic restaurant of the legendary Michel Guérard that the southwestern hotel really comes into its own. Awarded three Michelin stars since 1977, the chef, one of the figures of Nouvelle Cuisine alongside Paul Bocuse, the Troisgros brothers and Alain Chapel, has trained numerous chefs. Since 2017, Hugo Souchet has been in charge of the kitchens, having worked with Yannick Alléno, Philippe Mille, Daniel Boulud in New York and Alain Ducasse in Monaco, and has taken up the challenge of Eugénie's restaurants with talent. There's even a large vegetarian menu.

We particularly like? The bucolic, romantic charm of the establishment, which offers a new interpretation of the notion of "palace".

Les Prés d'Eugénie
45 rooms and suites, from €380 per night.
334 Rue René Vielle, Eugénie-les-Bains

10. La Réserve Saint-Jean-de-Luz | Luxury and relaxation on the Basque Coast

Set in the heart of a three-hectare park, La Réserve hotel exalts the discreet, refined luxury that is the hallmark of the Floirat Group's establishments (the Byblos hotel in Saint Tropez, the Manoirs de Tourgéville near Deauville, etc.). The main building houses 41 rooms, including 6 suites, while the residence boasts 44 apartments, each with a breathtaking ocean view. Equipped with a small kitchen and all the necessary comforts, they can accommodate up to six people. On the wellness front, guests can enjoy a moment of idleness in the hotel's infinity pool, play a few balls on the tennis court or indulge in a moment of relaxation at the Esthederm spa.

For lunch, the Lounge Elaïa offers a selection of salads and dishes on the go, to be enjoyed in the hotel gardens. At aperitif time, head to the Lounge Bar for a tasty cocktail, before dining on the panoramic terrace of the Ilura restaurant, led by new chef Bastien Soumoulou. Arnabar duck foie gras, fish of the day from the fish market, cheeses from the Béñat house: you'll find all the key products of the Basque terroir, creatively revisited and enhanced with flavours from elsewhere. A true invitation to travel.

We particularly like? The hotel's location, the starting point for a sumptuous stroll along the coastal path

La Réserve Saint-Jean-de-Luz
47 keys and 44 apartments, from €225 per night.
1 Avenue Gaëtan Bernoville, Saint-Jean-de-Luz.