Fresh from a renovation, the Hotel Château d'Audrieu—a Relais & Châteaux property since 1977—has scored a fifth star. Situated between Caen and Bayeux in the heart of Normandy’s Calvados country, the chateau has reopened its gates after the refurbishment by interior architect Philippe de Lanouvelle.
The chateau’s history dates back to the 11th century, when it belonged to the Percy family. (Legend has it that William de Percy was William the Conqueror’s personal cook.) Classified a historic monument, the chateau’s current construction dates to the early 18th century. The interiors still reflect this period setting with custom furniture, inspired by the 17th and 18th centuries, handcrafted by the Jean-Pierre Besse workshop in the Vosges region of France. Note that there are only 29 guest rooms.
A new addition is the luxurious Sothys Spa—just unveiled this month. There’s also a new terrace restaurant called L’Ephémère, where guests can enjoy the hotel’s magnificent gardens in the warmer months.
Other hotel facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, a bar called “Le 1715,” and the Le Séran restaurant, presided over by chef Olivier Barbarin who has worked with some of the country’s top talent. Wine lovers, take note: the wine cellar is stocked with 600 bottles.
Rich with culture, historic sites, and decadent cuisine, Normandy continues to be incredibly popular with Americans. Further shining the spotlight on Normandy for the travel industry in 2017, this year’s Rendez-vous en France trade show, the biggest such event, took place in the region’s capital city of Rouen. Read our first-hand account here.
