Château de la Côte

The 15th-century Château de La Côte is truly an enchanting sight with its historical stone façade covered in vines, round and pointed towers, and extensive grounds. Leaving the city far behind, it’s the perfect country escape where you may enjoy a breath of fresh air while strolling through the woods or between the roses, boxwood hedges and handsome old trees. Alternatively, you might enjoy a cocktail by the lovely swimming pool in the old orchard, or even a game of badminton or a lazy afternoon game of pétanque.

Stepping inside the castle itself, the historical charms continue, notably in the hotel’s Renaissance Lounge with its floor-to-ceiling wood panelling, wooden flooring and period furniture or the cosy Tower Lounge with its stone walls. Moving on to the bedrooms, you’ll find that they are not only comfortable, but luxuriously spacious, bright and airy.

The Périgord, beyond its evident and omnipresent rural beauty, is also all about gastronomy. With ceps, truffles, duck, and numerous local cheeses on offer, along with wines from Bergerac and Monbazillac, you’ll be spoilt for choice. And the hotel’s own restaurant does not disappoint. Here, you can taste traditional local cuisine, delicate yet hearty, from foie gras with rhubarb, to slow-cooked veal with mushrooms and a creamy red wine sauce, in an equally cosy atmosphere and historical setting. In the words of Henry IV, ‘good food and good wine, this is paradise on Earth’.

The chateau remains an ideal starting point to explore the rest of region and its many sights and activities, from medieval villages and castles to fantastic natural hikes (whether by foot, by bike, or on horseback), golf, fishing… the list goes on! Of course, that’s only if you can tear yourself away from the allure of the Château de la Côte.