Par Margaret Kemp
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Les Sources de Caudalie Spa located in the heart of the vineyards of Chateau Smith Lafitte, Bordeaux, owners Jérôme and Alice Tourbier commissioned cutting-edge designer Martin Margiela to transform
L'Ile aux Oiseaux, the cabanon suite on the edge of the lake.
The rustic exterior of
L'Ille aux Oiseaux is a replica of the cabanes tchanquées du Bassin d'Arcachon, enter through the front door now and wow! an atmosphére hyper avant-gardiste au coeur des vignes is a surprise that will enthrall Les Source's jet-set celeb clientele.
Margiela signature white, with dabs of black and grey and a bold slash of red with the iconic Bocca, Marilyn sofa, are key points of décor. The trompe-l'oeil walls are digital photographic reproductions of a Haussmannien hotel particulier with naked lightbulbs ! The bathroom floor is covered in trompe-oeil tiles of pierres à cabochon noirs and the baignoire is sur pieds.The majestic white covered King-size bed has a headboard made of a dozen white pillows fixed directly to the wall. Coté mobilier, the accent is on récuperation; old mirrors, all different shapes and sizes, 50 tréteaux make up the desk lit by a lampe bouteille. Step outside, the peaceful deck overlooks the swan-lake and you'll realise you've got the best of both worlds.
Coté Restaurant :
2009 saw the arrival of talented young chef Nicolas Masse at
Les Sources, where he heads the gastronomic restaurant,
La Grand'Vigne, based on an 18th century Orangerie, overlooking the lake. And the brasserie
La Table du Lavoir, the vineyard's former laundry where grape-pickers came to wash their clothes. Daily specials are displayed on laundry beaters ! Beef and lamb roasts in the massive fireplace. Two Saturday mornings each month chef Masse, who won a Michelin star at
Le Rosewood, Saint Jean de Luz, shares his culinary secrets with guests.
Masse's well balanced, light cooking is called "
Cuisine Equilibre" Starters include Langoustine Royale Croustillante, aux saveurs d'agrumes "
douces acidulées" (34€). Seafood or Meat mains, say, Roasted monkfish with crispy black pudding and rich apple compôte (34€) or a soothing and succulent Queue de boeuf braisée aux truffes, marmelade de coing et salsifis (38€) Desserts (14€) include La Carotte en sorbet, le fenouil en cristalline, et l'orange mousseuse and Chocolate Extravaganza. From the comprehensive wine list chef-sommelier Aurélian Farrouil recommends the white Chateau de Chantegrive "Cuvee Caroline" 2007 (47€) or a red Les Hauts de Smith 2006 (51€). On Saturdays, Farrouil gives wine-tastings, his bar opens onto the wine cellar where at least 1,500 precious bottles are stored. With the recent installation of the Enomatic system, fun can be had with les grands crus.
Coté La Tour des Cigares :
It's no longer legal to puff your Cohiba in the handsome club atmosphere of this unique tower, but there's a balcony overlooking the vineyards, take your cognac and vintage port inside, cigars outside.
Coté Spa :
The1,500 square meter Vinothérapie Spa, created by Yves Collet, is surrounded with vines and specialises in anti-ageing treatments, such as the signature Barrel Bath, Crushed Cabernet Scrub, Honey and Wine Wrap, all based on vine and grape- seed products.
Coté Hotel :
Les Sources de Caudalie has 49 rooms and suites (including the new MMM space) each with elegant and tasteful individual themes, five cottages built from recycled local materials have been created to showcase the Aquitaine region's rich, varied culture and history.
Les Sources de Caudalie
Chemin de Smith Haut Lafitte,
33650 Bordeaux-Martillac,
T: 05 57 83 83 83
Voi le site Les Sources de Caudalie
Martin Margiela suite - 415€ par personne par nuit inclus:
Petit-dejeuner
Diner pour deux au restaurant La Grand Vigne
Un cadeau signé MM
Un acceuil personalisé et VIP
La suite seule est vendue au 650€ par nuit.
