Any lover of French gastronomy will certainly have the Relais Bernard Loiseau on their list of must-visit places. With a long culinary history, his restaurant has been Michelin-starred for almost as long as he can remember… The Relais & Châteaux hotel’s reputation has been built on its flavors, but today it offers a relaxation and wellness area that has few equals in France. The 1,500 m² spa features a host of state-of-the-art equipment and a menu of treatments designed to stimulate all five senses. The Relais Bernard Loiseau is the ideal place for a relaxing, gourmet break , offering excellent value for money.
A Mecca of French gastronomy
What do Edith Piaf, Salvador Dali and Charlie Chaplin have in common? Stop by the Côte d’Or restaurant, a symbol of French gastronomy since the 1930s! The gourmet restaurant was awarded a Michelin star as early as 1931, even retaining 3 stars for several consecutive decades. Passed from the hands of Alexandre Dumaine (“the king of cooks”) to those of Bernard Loiseau in the 1980s, its reputation has spread far beyond our borders. In the 1990s, Bernard Loiseau became a three-starred chef who made numerous appearances on TV and played a major role in promoting French gastronomy until his death in 2003.
Today, with its rich history as a stopover town, Saulieu remains an emblematic centre of French gastronomy. Surrounded by a loyal team, Dominique Loiseau perpetuates the work and know-how of her husband. His La Côte d’Or restaurant, which will boast two Michelin stars by 2021, continues to attract the finest gourmets to sample Bernard Loiseau’s unmissable classics. The hotel’s other attractions include a listed breakfast room, beautiful gardens and a new, modern building housing a 1500 m² luxury spa .
Located in central France, it’s easy to reach this 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel: 2 hrs 30 min by car from Paris and Lyon, or 3 hrs from Geneva. So you’ll have no excuse if your other half asks you to go and enjoy a wellness and gastronomy break in Burgundy!
A charming hotel rooted in its region
Burgundy terracotta tiles and antique woodwork decorate the hotel’s five categories of rooms and suites. These are spread over four floors, served by a majestic oak staircase tower. Wood is combined with stone throughout the Relais, a typical Burgundy architectural feature. Exposed beams, stylish furniture and oak beds adorn the spaces of this charming little hotel, decorated with a hint of modernity.
Ranging from 30 to 80 m², our accommodations offer a high level of comfort, with some featuring living rooms with fireplaces, balconies or terraces. There are bathtubs in most bathrooms, with a whirlpool bath for the apartment.
The apartment is the hotel’s largest accommodation. It features a living room with fireplace, a study and relaxation area, and two bathrooms.
Wellness enthusiasts will prefer the VIP Spa-Suite with its own wellness facilities: steam room, sauna, treatment rooms and Jacuzzi, for a romantic getaway or a moment of voluptuous intimacy.
The garden created by Dominique Loiseau, the owner of Le Relais, is a little jewel of flowers. Alleys with terraces and fountains invite you to enjoy colorful strolls. Numerous aromatic herbs rub shoulders with collections of old roses before ending up on the plates. A heated swimming pool has been designed in the shape of an arena so that it is always exposed to the sun.
A beautiful modern spa on 4 floors
A first spa and fitness room are available to all Relais guests in the original building. The fitness equipment is housed in Alexandre Dumaine’s cellar, and the decor of this exceptional place has been preserved over the years. A great place to get your muscles moving!
Since 2017, the Relais has added a new Villa, called Loiseau des Sens, which houses a second, more modern spa. It features ten treatment rooms, a second restaurant with healthy cuisine, and two relaxation areas on two levels: the Univers Volupté and the Univers Sensoriel. Saunas, steam baths and a host of sensory features are also available.
The spa menu lists several facial and body treatments using Decléor brand products. Dominique Loiseau has also developed its own range of Secrets de Cassis cosmetics. There are also massages inspired by ancestral traditions and original beauty treatments, such as the relaxing scalp ceremony.
The Univers Volupté features a marine air cabin, an experience shower, steam rooms and a sauna overlooking the garden. To complete the experience, rassoul, black soap and argan oil from Charme d’Orient are used during the Hammam Oriental ritual.
The Multisensory Universe is a balneotherapy area that deserves a special mention. After following a phlebological course (which drains and activates blood and lymphatic circulation), you can let yourself be massaged by multiple jets. Counter-current swimming, aquabike and other state-of-the-art facilities make this sensory experience equally stimulating.
The spa also features high-performance equipment such as the Hydromel®, a floating bed for scrubs and algae and mud applications, and the Medyjet®, a dry hydromassage system.
An exceptional culinary experience
Bernard Loiseau has made a name for himself with his uncluttered, light cuisine, free from excessive fat and sugar. Since the master’s death in 2003, chef Patrick Bertron has been behind the menu at the gastronomic restaurant La Côte d’Or. He likes to combine the strong character of local cuisine with his surprising creativity. A child of Brittany, he serves gourmet Burgundian dishes with marine subtleties.
To this gastronomy, which respects Bernard Loiseau’s rule of “three ingredients – three flavors”, he has added his own touch, that of a cuisine of the moment, gourmet, lively and generous. The menu includes some Bernard Loiseau classics, such as “jambonnettes à la purée d’ail et au jus de persil” or “pike-perch à la peau croustillante et fondue d’échalotes, sauce vin rouge”.
There are also a number of new dishes, including: “Homard bleu des côtes Bretonnes, artichokes, amaranth and shiso du domaine des Vernins”, “Pigeon du pays de Retz, young chard, arabica notes and arcoiris pepper”.
On the sweet side, chef Aymeric Pinard plays with both textures and flavors, with a highly refined presentation. In 2021, he was awarded the Passion Dessert prize by the Michelin guide. How about this dessert: “Mousse et peau de lait fermier du Morvan, arabica au concassé de praline de coriandre”?
Located in the heart of Burgundy, needless to say, wine is a sacred affair at Relais Bernard Loiseau. It also boasts one of the finest wine cellars in the region. In all, 15,000 bottles and 900 references. The sommelier works wonders, proposing very precise food and wine pairings. Some forty exceptional wines can be enjoyed by the glass, making it possible to taste several grands crus during a single meal.
Right from breakfast, you’ll be immersed in the history of the Maison, as the decor of this listed room dates back to the early XXᵉ century. The restaurant features three dining rooms with large bay windows. The beautiful stonework is punctuated by contemporary touches, with paintings by the famous painter Bernard Buffet, a former guest and friend of the Relais. And when the sun comes out, you can enjoy an aperitif in the garden, listening to the birdsong…
Finally, a second restaurant in the modern Villa, Loiseau des Sens, serves healthy cuisine that never forgets to give pleasure. The majority of products are organic and local, selected from local producers and breeders. The juice bar, the vegetarian menu and the organic wine list offer all sorts of gustatory surprises…
Book
Take advantage of our expertise in wellness breaks, and contact us for a personalized quote for Relais Bernard Loiseau.
Rates : From 120 euros per night in low season, 290 euros per night in high season.
Spa Suite VIP at 1,200 euros / night. Gastronomic menu from 165 euros per person for dinner, 75 euros for lunch. Please contact us for prices on wellness packages.
Call us for France: + 33 1 85 73 22 14 or for Switzerland: +41 22 501 75 16 to discuss your holiday plans.
