Historic and Period Hotels in Aquitaine: Biarritz, Bordeaux, Dordogne

Du Palais. Biarritz

Originally known as the Villa Eugenie, the Du Palais was a summer palace built for Napoleon III and, perhaps more specifically, his wife Eugenie de Montijo. Though it took only ten months to complete, the building remains an imposing landmark in Biarritz. It is situated overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and a short walk from the centre of the town. Du Palais hosted countless European royal figures during the 19th century, from Queen Isabelle of Spain and Leopold II of Belgium to Queen Victoria and Edward VII. Bismarck also sojourned here, as did Sarah Bernardt, Stravinsky, Hemingway and Charlie Chaplin. To find out more and for secure online booking visit. Expedia | Splendia | Thomas Cook

Chateau d’Urtubie. St. Jean de Luz

There are many reasons why this splendid castle is a designated historic monument. Whilst greatly extended during the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, its origins date back to 1341 – and it has been in the same family ever since. It is said that Louis XI stayed here in 1463, while French general Jean-de-Dieu Soult and the Duke of Wellington were supposedly both stationed in the house during the Napoleonic Wars – though not simultaneously, of course. All rooms (both prestige and charm) are within the main house, and original artworks from the XVII and XVIII centuries feature heavily throughout. Without doubt, this provides a first-rate hotel option for the history traveller journeying between south west France and northern Spain – the border is only a few miles away, and the centre of St Jean de Luz even closer. Expedia

More period and historic accommodation in Aquitaine

Avensan

Chateau Meyre. Of the 1700’s, this “petite chateau” is pretty much surrounded by vineyards which themselves have been in existence for 300 years. Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Bergerac

Manoir du Grand Vignoble. Surrounded by a woodland park, this 17th century chateau is reputed to have been built upon the ruins of an English military bastion. Expedia

La Chartreuse du Bignac. Amid the rural splendour of Perigord, this highly rated hotel is situated just a few miles to the south of the town near the village of St Nexans. Whereas the character of many similar beautiful country residences have been smothered by designers trying to impress metropolitan imbeciles who wouldn’t understand class if they were staring at the guidebook, this is as it should be: traditional and true to its period origins. Expedia

Biarritz

Villa Catarie. Spain is only a short drive from this centuries-old Basque house, with Biarritz itself up the road, and St Jean de Luz downwards. Expedia

Domaine de Bassilour. Choose between accommodation within the original manor or the 16th century farmhouse. Located approximately three miles to the south of the centre of town in the village of Bidart. Expedia

Bordeaux

Le Pavillon de Raba. Located a matter of minutes from Bordeaux by car, this late-1700‘s building is said to have been visited by Napoleon in 1808. Expedia

Hotel Chateau Beau Jardin. North of Bordeaux in the Medoc wine region, this compact manor house dates from the 1800’s. As such, it isn’t the oldest hotel in the area by any means, but it is certainly one of the highest rated. TripAdvisor

Chateau Lamothe du Prince Noir. In Saint Sulpice et Cameyrac, some 10 miles to the east of central Bordeaux, this extraordinary castle is said to have been the home-from-home of the Black Prince during the 14th century – hence the name. Ivy-clad towers and encircled by a most, it certainly scores 10 out of 10 for romantic imagery. TripAdvisor

Boulliac

Chateau du Pian. An ornate country house featuring many pieces of antique furniture spanning several centuries. LateRooms | www.lastminute.com

Brantome

Moulin de l'Abbaye. In the village sometimes referred to as the Venice of Perigord, this is one of the most highly rated hotels in the Dordogne. Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Chateau de la Cote. The origins of this creeper-clad country house are said to be fifteenth century. LateRooms | www.lastminute.com

Champagnac de Belair

Le Moulin du Roc. Period furnishings abound at this charming hotel on the River Dronne. Built in 1670, the guestrooms are spread across three interlinked properties. Featuring a highly rated restaurant, this four star hotel has been described by reviewers as “delightful”, “charming” and “glorious”. Expedia

Condat Sur Vezere

Chateau de la Fleunie. Nestled in the Dordogne valley with Brive en Gaillarde only a short drive to the east, Chateau de la Fleunie is a grand, rambling country house erected between the 12th and 15th centuries. Anyone wishing to visit the renowned cave of Lascaux could do worse than stay here – it is only a few miles away. Expedia

Creon

Château de Camiac. Situated in the Entre-Deux-Mers between Saint-Emilion and Sauternes, this offers those wishing to visit the city of Bordeaux the opportunity without actually having to stay in the town itself. It may not be that old (1834), but it looks for all the world like the archetypal chateau. Expedia

Grenade-sur-l'adour

Pain Adour et Fantaisie. On the banks of the River Adour sits this charming little eighteenth century building. It is, however, most noted for its famous Michelin restaurant. Expedia

Le Bugue Sur Vezere

Domaine de la Barde. In the heart of the Perigord Noir, this pretty country house can trace its history back to the 13th century. Restored, enlarged and brought back from the brink of ruin, it now offers 18 rooms and 3-star hospitality. Expedia

Meracq

Chateau de Meracq. Located in Aquitaine’s Basque country, Chateau de Meracq is placed at the borders of three departments: Gers, Landes and Pyrenees Atlantiques. Offering 8 guest rooms, this intimate country house is rated 4-star. Expedia

Riberac

Château Le Mas de Montet. François Mitterrand was a guest at this Renaissance-style chateau on many occasions. Offering ten rooms and suites, many feature four-poster beds.

Roquefort

Le Logis de Saint Vincent. This old Auberge offers 3-star accommodation close to both Aquitaine’s border with Midi Pyrenees and the Parc Naturel Regional des Landes de Gascogne. Expedia

Sare

Arraya. This 17th century Basque house is located in one of the prettiest villages in the area (and there are quite a few to choose from). Once providing lodgings for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela, this family-run restaurant-hotel provides what it proudly refers to as “hand-stitched rooms”. TripAdvisor

Sarlat

Relais de Moussidiere. A three star period hotel close to the sights of medieval Sarlat. TripAdvisor

Vitrac

Hotel Domaine de Rochebois. By no means the oldest hotel in the Dordogne, this 19th century country house still appears to be the recipient of rave reviews from many of its guests. Expedia