Château des Vigiers
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Château des Vigiers dates back to 1597 and is an internationally-renowned Hotel, Golf and Country Club tucked away in the beautiful and unspoilt countryside of the Dordogne in south-west France, right in the heart of the famous wine districts. Located just 20 minutes from Bergerac and about an hour east of Bordeaux, Château des Vigiers is easily accessible from many airports in the UK.
Known locally as ‘Petit Versailles’, Château des Vigiers has been restored to its former glory and is now a luxurious four-star hotel with 87 rooms and suites. The Château forms the centrepiece of a magnificent 27-hole championship style golf course designed by Donald Steel. With the addition of a new nine holes, golfers at Vigiers now experience a much wider variety of playing conditions.
The new course opened in early 2008, and integrates into the existing 18-hole course to form three new nine-hole courses: ‘La Vallée’, ‘Le Lac’ and ‘Les Vignes’. Golfers can now play three different configurations of 18 holes, each with different challenges.
When asked by Golf World to name his favourite hole from his long career, Steel chose the 18th at Château des Vigiers, with its dog-leg over a ridge for the second shot over the lake on to the green; finishing in front of the Château. It was subsequently described in Golf World under the heading ‘Vintage Finale’. The extensive golf facilities also include a six-hole academy course, golf tuition with an English-speaking resident pro, covered and open driving ranges and practice greens. Buggies and clubs can be hired at the well-stocked pro-shop.
The Maria Galland Beauty Centre offers a variety of professional beauty treatments, as well as a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, outdoor heated swimming pool and fitness centre, so non-golfing partners are very well taken care of. You can enjoy local delicacies such as foie gras and magret de canard as well as lighter meals at restaurant ‘Le Chai’ and sample the chef’s more refined creations at the restaurant ‘Les Fresques’.
Château des Vigiers is the perfect base from which to explore the region; the famous towns and attractions such as St Emilion, Sarlat, Lascaux and Bergerac are all within easy reach. Finally, Château des Vigiers produces its own award-winning red, white and rosé wine (A.O.C. Bergerac) and can organise private wine tastings at some of the region’s most famous ‘grand cru’ vineyards.
Chateau des Vigiers’ Wine & Gastrony experiences
Discover the wine trails between Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion and Bergerac… the secrets of Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon and Semillon grape varieties. Taste world-famous wines from Grands Crus Classés wines of Saint-Emilion to the sweet white Saussignac wines. Be inspired by the wonderful stories recounted by the wine makers about their processes and their ancestors. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding and some secrets of wine making.
If you prefer a Gastronomy Experience, situated in the East Wing of the Chateau – Restaurant ‘Les Fresques’ is distinguishable by its elaborate cuisine made using only the freshest local and seasonal produce. The menu is redesigned each week and new dishes – as well as traditional favourites – can’t fail to impress even the most discerning palate. Executive Chef Didier Casaguana and his team will prepare your dishes with passion, exuding the highest standards of French cuisine, fusing seasonal produce such as spring lamb, fresh fish, oysters and shellfish with regional specialities such as truffles, to great effect. The extensive wine cellar has some of the Dordogne’s finest wines as well as affordable vintages.
Saint-Emilion Crus Classés Trophy 2014
Saint-Emilion Crus Classes Trophy is an exciting golf and wine event, staged from June 6-8, 2014. This Pro-Am in the Dordogne, South West France, comprises an individual package for a two-night stay for €695 per person or a Team Package for six players for a two-night stay for €625pp. An extra night: is €150 (single or double room with breakfast).
