Any lover of French gastronomy certainly has the Relais Bernard Loiseau on their list of places to absolutely go one day. Rich in a very long culinary history, its restaurant is starred in the Michelin Guide since alwaysor almost… If it is the flavors that have made the reputation of this Relais & Châteaux hotel, it now offers a space for relaxation and well-being that has few equals in France. The 1,500 m² spa offers many state-of-the-art equipment and a menu of treatments aimed at stimulating the five senses. The Relais Bernard Loiseau is thus an ideal stopover for a break that is both relaxing and gourmet, with excellent value for money.
A high place of French gastronomy
What do Edith Piaf, Salvador Dali and Charlie Chaplin have in common? A visit to the Côte d’Or restaurant, a symbol of French gastronomy since the 1930s! The gourmet restaurant has been starred in the Michelin guide since 1931, even retaining 3 stars over several consecutive decades. Passed from the hands of Alexandre Dumaine (“the king of cooks”) to those of Bernard Loiseau in the 1980s, its reputation has gone far beyond our borders. In fact, Bernard Loiseau in the 1990s became a three-star chef which multiplies the appearances on TV sets and which participates amply in the influence of French gastronomy until its disappearance in 2003.
Today, rich in its history as a stopover town, Saulieu remains an emblematic town of French gastronomy. Surrounded by a faithful team, Dominique Loiseau perpetuates the work and the know-how of her husband. His La Côte d’Or restaurant with two Michelin stars in 2024 continues to attract the finest gourmets to taste the unmissable classics of Bernard Loiseau. The hotel has other attractions of course: a breakfast room classified as a Historic Monument, beautiful gardens, and also a new modern building which houses a luxury spa of 1500 m².
Located in the center of France, it is easy to reach this 5-star hotel stamped Castles Relay : 2h30 by car from Paris and Lyon, or 3h from Geneva. You will have no excuse, therefore, if your other half asks you to go and enjoy a well-being and gastronomy stay in Burgundy!
A charming hotel rooted in its territory
Burgundy floor tiles and old woodwork form the decor of the hotel’s five categories of rooms and suites. The latter are spread over four floors, served by a majestic oak tower-staircase. Wood is also associated with stone throughout the Relais, a typical architectural characteristic of Burgundy. Exposed beams, stylish furniture and oak beds adorn the spaces of this small charming hotel, decorated with a hint of modernity.
From 30 to 80 m², the accommodations offer a lot of comfort, some of them with living rooms with fireplaces, a balcony or a terrace. Tubs are found in most bathrooms, with a whirlpool bath for the apartment.
The apartment is the largest accommodation in the hotel. It has a living room with a fireplace, an office and a relaxation area, as well as two bathrooms.
Wellness enthusiasts will favor the VIP Spa-Suite which has its own wellness facilities: hammam, sauna, treatment cabins and jacuzzi, for a romantic getaway or a moment of pleasure in complete privacy.
The garden created by Dominique Loiseau, the owner of the Relais, is a flowery little gem. Paths with terraces and fountains invite you to take multicolored walks. Many aromatic herbs rub shoulders with the collections of old roses before ending up on the plates. A heated pool was designed as an arena to always be exposed to the sun.
A very beautiful modern spa on 4 floors
A first spa and a fitness room are accessible to all Relais guests within the original building. The fitness equipment is located in Alexandre Dumaine’s cellar, and the decor of this exceptional place has been preserved over the years. A great place to activate your muscles!
Since 2017, the Relais has had a new Villa, called Loiseau des Sens, which houses a second, more modern spa. The latter consists of ten treatment cabinsof a second restaurant with healthy cuisine and two relaxation areas on two levels: the Pleasure Universe and the Sensory Universe. Saunas, hammams, and many sensory devices find their place there.
The spa menu lists several face and body treatments using the Decleor brand products. Dominique Loiseau has also developed her own range of cosmetics Secrets of Cassis. There are also massages inspired by ancestral traditions and original beauty treatments, with for example the relaxing scalp ceremony.
Within the Univers Volupté, a cabin with sea air, an experience shower, hammams and a sauna with a view of the garden. To complete the experience, rassoul, black soap and argan oil from the Charme d’Orient brand are used during the Hammam Oriental ritual.
The Multisensory Universe is a balneotherapy area which deserves a special mention. After having followed a phlebological course (which drains and activates the blood and lymphatic circulation), you can let yourself be massaged by multiple jets. Counter-current swimming, aquabike and other state-of-the-art facilities make this sensory experience equally stimulating.
The spa is also equipped with high-performance equipment such as Mead®, a floating bed for scrubs and applications of seaweed and mud, as well as the Medyjet®, a dry hydromassage system.
An exceptional culinary experience
Bernard Loiseau has stood out for his refined, light cuisine without excess fat or sugar. Since the death of the master in 2003, the chef Patrick Bertron is behind the menu of the gastronomic restaurant La Côte d’Or. He likes to combine the strong character of local cuisine with his surprising creativity. A child of Brittany, he serves gourmet Burgundian dishes with marine subtleties.
To this gastronomy which respects Bernard Loiseau’s rule of “three ingredients – three flavours”, he has added his touch, that of a cuisine of the moment, gourmet, lively and generous. There are some Bernard Loiseau classics on the menu, such as “small hams with garlic puree and parsley juice” or “zander with crispy skin and shallot fondue, red wine sauce”.
There are also novelties, including in particular: “Blue lobster from the Brittany coast, artichokes, amaranth and shiso from the Vernins estate”, “Pigeon from the Retz region, young chard, notes of arabica and arcoiris pepper”.
On the sweet side, he’s the chef Aymeric Pinard which plays as much with textures as flavors, with a very refined presentation. 2021 also brings him the Passion Dessert prize awarded by the Michelin guide. What would you say, for example, to this dessert: “Farmhouse milk mousse and skin from Morvan, Arabica with crushed coriander praline”?
Located in the heart of Burgundy, needless to say that wine is a sacred matter at the Relais Bernard Loiseau. It also has one of the finest wine cellars in the region. In total, 15,000 bottles and 900 references. The sommelier works wonders, proposing very precise food-wine pairings. About forty exceptional wines can be savored by the glass, making it possible to taste several great wines during the same meal.
From breakfast, you will be immersed in the history of the House because the decor of this room, classified as a Historic Monument, dates from the beginning of the 20th century. The restaurant itself consists of three dining rooms with large bay windows. The beautiful stones are punctuated with contemporary touches, with paintings by the famous painter Bernard Buffet, former host and friend of the Relais. And when the fine weather comes to the fore, you can have an aperitif in the garden while listening to the birdsong…
Finally, remember that a second restaurant in the modern Villa, Loiseau des Sens, serves healthy cooking which does not forget to provide pleasure. The majority of products are organic and local, selected from producers and breeders in the region. The juice bar, the vegetarian menu and the organic wine list offer all sorts of taste surprises…
To book
Benefit from our expertise on wellness stays, and contact us for a personalized quote for Relais Bernard Loiseau.
Prices : From 120 euros per night in low season, 290 euros per night in high season.
Spa Suite VIP at 1200 euros / night. Gourmet menu from 165 euros per person for dinner, 75 euros for lunch. Consult us for the prices of the wellness offers.
Information request
Call us for France at + 33 1 77 77 77 77 or for Switzerland: +41 22 777 77 77 to discuss your travel plans.
