Domaine du Breuil

The halls and reception rooms of this splendid hotel bear witness to the opulence and extravagance of days gone by. Days before the Internet and modern technology. Days before planes, trains and automobiles, when the upper crust would pull up to the front door in their horse-drawn carriages to feast together in the regal dining rooms and ponder the robust flavours of the latest edition of the beverage that gave the region its reputation. Overlooking the Charente Valley, with gorgeous views of the surrounding woods and vineyards, the Domaine de Breuil preserves the old-fashioned feel of the building while meeting the new-fangled needs of all its guests.

The 20 recently-renovated bedrooms are all individually decorated in a clever and eye-catching blend of old and new. Modern light effects enhance beautifully restored period furniture. Typically French fabrics adorn windows and beds. Bubbly Jacuzzi bathtubs, heated towel-racks and even flat-screen TVs bring the bathrooms up to date. Each room is unique. Each is a haven; a peace to which one can retire in style after an evening of culinary delights in the restaurant.

The talented chef takes guests on a gastronomic tour of France. He scours local markets on a daily basis bringing only the freshest seasonal produce to his table. What will it be today? Succulent veal chops from Normandy? Or jumbo shrimp and scallops prepared Basque-style with a spicy and flavourful sauce? Guests can, of course, also sample local cuisine made with cognac as they look out on the panoramic views from the sedate dining room. Luc Marmain, your host for the length of your stay, will expertly advise you as to which cognac should accompany each course of your excellent meal. 

No meal is complete without an after-dinner drink (of cognac, of course). Embrace tradition and settle down in a fat leather armchair while your host demonstrates how to really savour a good cognac – old-style. With over 150 varieties to choose from, guests are sure to find at least one to tickle their fancy. If the choice is too daunting, the house cognac – the Grand Breuil – is a rich and flavourful way to end the day.

A Cognac native, considered to be one of the fathers of the European Union, Jean Monnet once said that the great thing about making cognac is that it teaches you above everything else to wait. If good things come to those who wait, I couldn’t think of a more relaxing environment to while away the long hours than the Domaine de Breuil. Depending on the weather, you can either laze around in the gardens watching the wildlife or swimming in the stunning swimming pool, or shelter from the could lounging with a good book in front of the fireplace, listening to the snow as it gently falls outside with, you guessed it, a glass of fine cognac in hand!