Château les Merles

Style

Neoclassical winery

Setting

Bergerac's route des vins

It took an enterprising Dutch couple 15 years to renovate Château les Merles – but their labour of love has paid off. Poised amid pristine Périgord countryside, this 17th-century château is now the stuff French holidays are made of. There's a regional restaurant which offers wine sessions and visits to local markets. The historic town of Bergerac is only a short distance away and there are bike tours for exploring the rest of the area. A sunken pool, tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course wait to entertain you on return – and you can even sink wine from the château's own vineyards. Here's to Dutch courage…

Facilities

Rooms

14, including two suites, four villas and one apartment.

Checkout

10am. Earliest check-in, 4pm.

More Details

Rates exclude breakfast (€22.50 for adults; €12.50 for under-12s; free for under-6s).

Also

The château has a tennis court and a narrow and challenging nine-hole golf course (€25 a round, excluding equipment) with a golf pro ready to help you hone your swing (you can borrow clubs). Horse riding can be organised with the local stables. Please note: a maximum of three rooms may be booked under the same name, but no more.

Free Internet Access

Golf

Laundry

Pet Friendly

Pool

Room Service

At the Hotel

Tennis court, nine-hole golf course, playground, gardens, DVD library, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: flatscreen TV, minibar, air-conditioning, free bottled water, tea- and coffee-making facilities and bathrobes and slippers

Our Favourite Rooms

Suite 7 is spacious and has a fine view over the Dordogne valley. Suite 8 has high ceilings, classical styling and views over the swimming pool and golf course.

Poolside

Set on the front-lawn amongst beautifully-blooming flowers and sweet-smelling lavender shrubs, the outdoor pool (unheated) and sunbathing patio with sleek black parasols are open daily from 9am to 8pm. Please note that, in accordance with French law, children in pools must be supervised at all times.

Packing Tips

Golfing gear and chic staples for dinner in the grand dining room.

Children

Warmly welcomed. Pre-booked day-care facilities are available. Baby cots and extra beds (for under-16s) are €20 a night, otherwise €40 a night. Apartments and villas, with their extra space, microwaves and fridges, are best for families.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Out in the courtyard on a summer’s evening.

Dress Code

Country chic: informal with a splash of style.

Hotel Restaurant

Helmed by chef Bas Holten, restaurant Les Merles serves New Périgordine cuisine, with a strong emphasis on fresh and seasonal local ingredients. The restaurant is set in a grand old dining hall with tall beamed-cielings and an enormous original fireplace; elegant white furnishings, flowers and candles add some fine finishing touches to the space. All wine is locally from the Bergerac region – lucky for us.

Hotel Bar

There is an informal lounge bar with a menu of tasty and unfussy dishes. You can try wines from the château’s own vineyards, as well as a large selection of renowned local wines.

Last Orders

Breakfast is available between 8am and 10.30am, lunch from noon until 1.30pm and dinner from 7pm to 9.30pm; light snacks are available between 2pm and 7pm.

Room Service

An imaginative ‘world food’ menu is available between 10.30am and 7pm.

Planes

The nearest airport is Bergerac (www.bergerac.aeroport.fr), a 15-minute drive away, served by several budget carriers. Bordeaux airport (www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en) has a greater choice of international routes, as well as French connections, and is within a two-hour drive of the hotel.

Trains

The Bordeaux-Sarlat train line stops at Bergerac, a 20-minute drive from Château les Merles. From Paris, connect at Bordeaux; from Lyon and the east, change at Libourne (www.sncf.com).

Automobiles

A car offers the best way to explore this rural riverine region. South-westerly Tuilières is 600km from Paris; travel on autoroutes via Orléans (A10), the A71, A20 towards Limoges, then the N21 to Bergerac. The hotel is close to the N21, which runs through Bergerac, and between the A20 and A62. From Bergerac, take the D660 east. Car hire is available from Bergerac train station and all regional airports. Driving to Bordeaux will take an hour and 45 minutes; the natural park of Landes de Gascogne is two hours away; and Toulouse is just over three hours. There is free parking at the hotel.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .