As we already touched upon in our previous Relais & Châteaux article, this 63 year-old hospitality institution is one to explore. One can easily find his/her happiness in at least one of its 550 landmark hotels and restaurants! For my part, I got to experience four of them first hand, thanks to our friends at Relais & Châteaux and BMW France. The latter helped us get to each of them safe but also in style! A vacation dipped in a fountain of pure luxury and allure!
Le Saint James in Bouliac was the second Relais we got to discover. The drive there from Bordeaux was short and ordinary until we entered Bouliac, nicknamed the “Balcony of Bordeaux” for its panoramic views. Utterly breathtaking!
a bit of history
This eighteenth-century farmhouse, now a stylish 4 star hotel has kept a lot of its original appearance, flair and appeal. Its surroundings are calm and peaceful, perfect for a relaxing retreat away from the noise and stress of life.
After World War II, this village tucked away above Bordeaux became a popular destination for lunches and dancing, perfect getaway for those seeking tranquility and nature . In 1989, the now St James and one of Bouliac’s most beautiful farmhouses became a hotel and restaurant.
our suite
Our suite was modern and large with an immense terrace, overlooking the vineyard and pool on one side, and the church on the other. Best part of all was our whirlpool – our own private one!! Thankfully the weather was not on its best behaviour otherwise our entire time there would have been spent on our terrace sunbathing. Nonetheless, we fully indulged in our amenities and made the most out of everything.
Nothing like waking up to the beauty of nature, being one with it and forgetting everything else left behind.
magic in the kitchen with Nicolas Magie
And let’s not mention our dining experience with Chef Nicolas Magie! He wears his last name like a glove! The Michelin starred Chef prepared us a tailor-made menu laced with countless surprises and awe moments (from the menu, to the appearance, to the taste). Nicolas’s wit and informality fused with his artistry made for a pretty cool dinner!
Au revoir St James et à très bientôt! Thank you for an unforgettable experience.
Download my free iBook to get the recipes of the Foie gras grillé and Caviar Osciètre seen in these pictures, exclusively shared by Chef Magie with Discover Out Loud. There, you will also find recipes from the other Chefs we got to meet during our journey.
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