Le Vieux Logis is a luxury boutique hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. It is mere paces from the heart of a charming village in the Perigord region of France.
The oldest part of the property dates from the 17th century. It is part of an estate that once counted tobacco among its agricultural output. Converted into a hotel in the 1950s, Le Vieux Regis became a member of the Relais & Châteaux association in 1955.
Provençal fabrics and specially selected 19th century antiques help Le Vieux Logis retain the feel of being a historic country home. That vibe is very much evident in the snug, which features a fireplace and framed pictures of mushrooms. It’s a relaxing place to sit and sip a drink from the bar which is on the far side of the lobby.
One of the key attractions of staying here is the Michelin-starred cuisine prepared by Vincent Arnould and his team. When the weather permits the food is served outdoors in the neatly tended garden. With a terrace and a stream, the garden is a pleasant place to stroll while listening to birdsong and the water’s babbling.
The hotel’s gourmet restaurant, also called Le Vieux Logis, is open from Friday to Tuesday between September and June. In July and August, it opens every day of the week, taking lunch orders from noon until 1:15pm and dinner orders between 7:00 pm and 8:30pm.
Chef Vincent Arnould prepares seasonal dishes using ingredients from the region and holds a Michelin star. The restaurant is open to non-resident guests, and I enjoyed a delightfully presented dinner, whose appetisers included a generous portion of foie gras.
Le Vieux Logis also operates Le Bistrot de la Place, which faces the village square. At most a couple of minutes’ walk from the hotel; it provides guests with informal dining opportunities also showcasing produce from the Dordogne Valley.
Six categories of rooms and suites are available at Le Vieux Logis, ranging in size from 18 square metres upwards. I was allocated suite number two in an ivy-clad building that is a short walk along a gravel path from the main premises.
The anteroom featured a chaise longue with reading lamps on either side. Travel magazines were available under one of the tables. Drinking water was available on the stone coffee table and an espresso machine and teas were also available.
A wooden writing cabinet added to the character of the room, which held a safe inside the wardrobe.
A white bathrobe and slippers were supplied on the king-size bed in a bedroom which had a television on top of its chest of drawers. Chairs, very much like the one that Vincent van Gogh depicted in Gauguin’s Chair, stood on either side of that. Framed pictures adorned the wall.
The bathroom had a bathtub plus a walk-in shower. Toiletries from Sothys, an elegant French brand, were supplied along with makeup remover and a manicure kit.
Overall, the Le Vieux Logis proved a comfortable, quiet and relaxing place to stay. The hotel’s proximity to the heart of a traditional village and attractions in the countryside also help make this a popular place to stay.
The Details
Le Vieux Logis, 81 Rue des Écoles, 24510 Trémolat, France.
Tel: +33 5 53 22 80 06
Website: www.vieux-logis.com
Email: vieuxlogis@relaischateaux.com
Le Vieux Logis is in the village of Trémolat, a 40-minute drive east of Bergerac Dordogne Perigord Airport. The hotel is located behind the building that doubles as the town hall and school.
Follow the D30 to Sainte-Foy-de-Longas and then turn right onto the D8. A left onto the D30 leads you into Trémolat. Parking is available at the hotel and the lawn in front of the hotel doubles as a helipad.
Type of Hotel: 4-Star Luxury Boutique Hotel
Number of Rooms: 14 rooms and 11 suites and Wi-Fi is complimentary.
Price Band: High
Insider Tip: Take a stroll in the hotel grounds to view the sunbeaten barn that was formerly used to dry tobacco. Continue to explore the village of Trémolat, which is traditional in character. The village’s 12th century church is dedicated to St Nicholas, and its interiors feature frescoes dating from the 14th century.
If you enjoy cooking, leave plenty of room in your luggage to take home regional produce from the Dordogne, such as black truffles, foie gras, walnut oil and of course some wine.
Additional Information: The hotel has two conference rooms and can host weddings with up to 60 guests.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Stuart Forster is an award-winning travel writer and the creator of the blog Go Eat Do. He appreciates city breaks, heritage and local flavours and creates short videos of his experiences. His impressions of staying at Le Vieux Logis in Trémolat can be viewed via YouTube.
Photographs by Stuart Forster
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