A couple of weeks ago we travelled from our gite in the Dordogne to Lot-et-Garonne to stay in a hôtel particulier in Castillonnès.
A hôtel particuliers is a grand townhouse. Whereas an ordinary house was built as part of a row, sharing party walls with the houses on either side and directly fronting on a street, an hôtel particulier was often free-standing, and by the 18th century it would always be located entre cour et jardin: between the cour d’honneur (an entrance court) and the garden behind. There are hôtels particuliers in many large cities in France.
L’Hotel de Cours de Thomazeau was built in 1770 on the footprint of the early medieval chateau. The building was designed by the architect, Victor Louis who is famous for the opera house in Bordeaux. The current owners bought it in 2009 and have carefully restored the former run down house to how it should be. The house has been stunningly decorated and tastefully finished with beautiful antiques and furniture throughout.
We were very lucky to have exclusive access to the house when we stayed overnight so we got to have a good look around.
We stayed in the Blue Horizons room. A beautiful bright room with 3 double windows overlooking the valley, a perfect room to relax and admire the view. It had a huge bed in it and a single was also put in to make it a family room. There is a spacious en-suite bathroom, a huge wardrobe with a safe in as well as other in keeping furniture. Just outside the room is tea and coffee making facilities and a small fridge to use.
There are five other rooms that can be booked, each elegantly decorated. There are numerous reception rooms that can be used for talks, courses, meetings, get togethers or even a wedding!
The house is open to the public on Tuesdays for tours and a coffee. It can also be booked for private tours and Jennie talks you through her home with such a love of history, explaining what it would have been like when it was originally built and showing you the treasures she has collected over the years.
Have a look around the house on the video below which includes the majority of the rooms and the cave under the house full of water! We really enjoyed our stay, we felt like royalty for the evening, surrounded by such history or luxury. The stay was finished perfectly with pastries, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast in the dining room x
Rhonda Albom says
The hotel looks quite grand and comfortable. I wish I had stayed at a place like this when I was in the Pyrenees.
kumamonjeng says
This looks like a palace to me, seems like living in the fairytale. From the dining table to the bedsheet, everything is in details and wish to experience once. Every corner in this hotel is photo opportunities.
Romy Schorr says
The hotel looks spacious and relaxing. I would love to stay there if I ever visit Lot-et-Garonne.
Chad says
This is for sure my kinda hotels!!! Boutique, charming and very personal. Love it and will definitely try it.
alexandra cook says
Never been to this hotel but that place looks very vibrant to relax and unwind. Looks like you had a great time there!
Chastity says
Wow the place looks extremely royal! I love the details! It’s like you were able to live like a queen during your stay, how fab!
Aditi says
Looks extremely elegant and stately. I’m glad you and your family had a grand vacation!
Elizabeth Keene says
The rooms look straight out of a history book! The bed, wallpaper, and chairs feel like they could’ve been used for French nobility. These are the kinds of places I love the most – so beautiful!
KishaRose says
This looks so amazing! Looks like you and your family had a wonderful time.
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
So lovely to hear that they restored it to its former beauty. It looks beao, I bet it was fun exploring the different rooms
Jasmine Hewitt says
it’s beautiful there! i would be afraid to take my son, he would be too rough on everything!
Kat&Phil says
What a beautiful looking hotel! Looks like the two of you settled in well. Thanks for sharing!
Ken WHite says
Great piece, Thanks Jenni…
Ken
Liona says
What a beautiful hotel. I’m sure my 4-year-old would love it but the 2-year-old would be a bull in a china shop here!
Melissa M Sanchez says
this hotel looks like pure magic. it is so so elegant. looks like an amazing place to stay
Myrah Duque says
What a gorgeous place. Looks like you went back in history Everything from the wallpaper to the bed is unique. So beautiful!
Kara says
Now this is somewhere I would love to stay, it looks so opulent
Rowena says
Oh wow this hotel looks magical, like a palace! Great review, it’s definitely on my wish list of we visit the Pyrenees!
What Mum Loves says
I have spent years of my life managing hotels, and even though I no longer do that, I always enjoy checking out new hotels. This one is beautiful!
What Mum Loves says
I have spent years of my life managing hotels, and even though I no longer do that, I always enjoy checking out new hotels. This one is beautiful!
fashionandstylepolice says
What a fab place. I would love to dine here for sure.
Denise says
Wow! What a fantastic experience! Sounds really lovely and I love the photo of you guys in the huge bed! Brilliant post. Thanks so much for joining in with #CTWM and I hope to see you back again soon 🙂
Vanessa says
What a fabulous place! Nice that they are child-friendly, too. #AllAboutFrance
Trish says
Another fan of that final photo – how gorgeous is that bed! I didn’t know what a hotel particulier was so this was a very interesting read. #allaboutfrance
Phoebe | Lou Messugo says
What a lovely place to stay and how lucky to get the place to yourselves. One to remember if I’m ever in the area. Thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance