La Chapelle Saint Martin is a stylish and cosy small hotel in the countryside near Limoges in France.
It’s a hit with travelling gourmets thanks to culinary offerings prepared by the father-and-son team of Gilles and Henri Dudognon and served in the hotel’s Le Saint-Martin gastronomic restaurant. The creations showcase seasonal, local produce from the Limousin region.
A member of Relaix & Châteaux, the hotel is on a 40-acre estate whose landscape features ponds, woodland and meadows. That rural backdrop supplies a serene setting ideal for deep sleep and regenerative relaxation. Its bucolic beauty can be appreciated during lunch or dinner on the property’s sizable terrace.
La Chapelle Saint Martin’s main building dates from the 19th century. It was constructed as the country home of a wealthy porcelain manufacturer and artful examples of that craft, which still has strong associations with Limoges, are on display within the hotel. So too are original artworks, limited-edition photographs and characterful pieces of furniture. An oval portrait of three youngsters, hanging in a gilt frame in the hallway of the house is arguably the most eye-catching of all the oil paintings.
I found the staff personable and welcoming and enjoyed sitting with Aude Bourliataux – the proprietor of the hotel and wife of the Michelin-starred chef Gilles Dudognon – over an aperitif in the Grand Salon, the bar at the back of the hotel. Aude discussed the history of the family-run hotel, Gilles’ philosophy of showcasing local produce and how the estate’s ‘beehive’ picnic spots came into being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I slept in a suite across the front garden from the main house. In the former stable block, the décor of my accommodation was in keeping with the rest of the property, a style known as Maison Bourgeoise. Blending contemporary style and collectable furniture with artworks, photos and high-end fabrics, the suite, named Porcelaine, proved an extremely comfortable base.
The living room area featured two fabric covered sofas arranged around a coffee table. A leisurely dinner over in the Le Saint-Martin meant that I didn’t need a staff member to light the logs stacked by the stone hearth or feel the need to switch on the TV.
After eating, I headed straight into the bathroom to run a hot bath. A walk-in shower also featured, but a warm bath before bedtime is ideal for soaking leg muscles worked while sightseeing.
Breakfast proved an opportunity to delve into an attractively arranged buffet stocked with staples such as locally baked bread and pastries, plus temptations such as regional cheeses and sausages, honey and fruit. Along with freshly pressed orange juice and coffee, it served to fuel my exploration of Limoges.
La Chapelle Saint Martin is the kind of chic yet contented bolthole that is best shared with someone special to sample a taste of the region.
The Details
La Chapelle Saint Martin, 33 Route Saint Martin du Fault, 87510 Nieul, France.
Tel: +33 5 55 75 80 17
Website: www.chapellesaintmartin.com
Email: info@chapelllesaintmartin.com
La Chapelle Saint Martin is in the countryside and a five-minute drive from Limoges Airport. Guests who prefer rail travel can head south from Paris on trains to Limoges which take around 3 hours. The station at Limoges is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. The property is also a 3 hour drive from the French capital.
Type of Hotel: 4-Star Boutique Country Hotel
Number of Rooms: 10 guestrooms, three suites and a nearby villa including complimentary Wi-Fi.
Price Band: Medium to high.
Insider Tips: Visiting in 2026 will bring opportunities to participate in gastronomic experiences celebrating 40 years since owner-chef Gilles Dudognon became the youngest person in France ever to be awarded a Michelin star. He was 24 at the time.
The estate has six picnic spots known as ruches à manger in French or ‘beehives’ in English. In fine weather they are ideal for appreciating the estate and good food prepared in the hotel’s kitchen.
If Michelin-starred meals and La Chapelle Saint Martin’s hearty breakfast mean you need to partake in light exercise, you can walk on the estate’s trails.
Bring your bathing kit so you can make use of the hotel’s swimming pool and Nordic baths.
Hire one of the hotel’s classic Citroen cars or electric bikes to visit local attractions or enjoy exploring Limousin’s countryside.
Fact Box: See the Destination Limoges website for more information on things to do and see in the city, which is approximately 10 minute drive from the hotel. The town is renowned for producing porcelain and the Musée national Adrien Dubouché conveys that heritage. It is also famed for the quality of its cattle. Curing their hides into leather has long been an eco-friendly way of minimising waste. The informative and interactive Cité du Cuir opened in 2025 in nearby Saint-Junien.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Stuart Forster is an award-winning travel writer based in North East England. He runs the blog Go Eat Do and creates short videos of his travel experiences, including a 60-second overview of visiting La Chapelle Saint Martin.
Photographs courtesy of La Chapelle Saint Martin
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