Les Jardins du Lac

Nestled in one of the most tranquil parts of France, Trizay is one of the secret hidden gems of the south west, overlooked by tourists heading for busy La Rochelle to the north or bustling Bordeaux to the south. Given that it borders huge national forests and the gorgeous Ile d’Oléron just off the coast – safe from harm thanks to its proximity to the more popular Ile de Ré further north – this region is unsurprisingly an area of calm reflection which has formed close-knit ties with what nature provides. Traversed by one of the major pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, the lakeside location of Les Jardins du Lac adds to this calm an element of spiritual peacefulness, where the senses reign supreme.

As the lake gradually appears through the parting trees, your eyes are the first sense to delight in this location, with its tranquil waters surrounded by blooming foliage and pretty woods criss-crossed with leafy paths. The nature theme continues within the hotel, too, although with a much more modern panache. The rooms are all pale tones with chic dew-drop motifs and organic-design chairs. Once you pull back the curtains on those huge bay windows, the view of the lake stretches out before you, just think; this is the sight which will greet you every morning.

The hotel’s restaurant is now ready to delight your taste buds. It is regularly awarded prizes for its fabulous cuisine, which promotes local specialities and produce above all else. Here the tenderness of the lamb shank, lovingly cooked for 24 hours, will win you over, almost stopping you from tasting their famed wild turbot another night, or indulging in their jonchée fresh cheese made through the centuries-old processes within the region.

Finally, let your ears finish your pilgrimage of the senses as you languish in the outdoor heated pool, soaking in the delicate bubbling lake waters and listening to the chirruping of the evening birds. Your pilgrimage now complete, you are free to venture out of paradise to explore the ancient abbeys and castles of the region… which senses will you indulge in next?