A luxury stay in a castle turret in France may seem like something out of a Disney movie.

But at Château de la Treyne in the Dordogne region of France, you can indulge your inner Rapunzel in style.

Befitting its fairy tale setting, the location for this 14th century castle is incredibly magical.  Set on a limestone cliff, it has spectacular views of the Dordogne river and is surrounded by French gardens and a vast private forest. 

Inside, you’ll find a Michelin-starred restaurant in a grand Louis XIII Salon, and 17 elegant rooms, each one unique,  with all of the modern amenities.

Although my name, “Cindy”, isn’t short for Cinderella, I felt like the belle of the ball in “La Tour”, a suite in the castle’s turret, with a magnificent view of the hotel terrace and river.

A great base for exploring the Dordogne

While the Dordogne region is a popular summer destination for British travelers, it’s less known to North Americans.

This area in sourthwestern France is a true gem.  It’s filled with an astonishing array of medieval towns and ancient hilltop castles, prehistoric caves, gorgeous countryside, and gloriously delicious food and wine.

The Château de la Treyne is located right in the middle of things.  Its spot in Lacave,  between the romantic town of Sarlat (photo left) and the dramatic cliffside village of Rocamadour (photo right) is perfect for exploring this idyllic region.

The Castle

Of course, the castle itself is so enhanting that you may not want to leave.

As a serious castle should, it has a long and storied history.  The original fortress La Treyne was built in 1342, but it suffered damage from the many religious battles in the region in subsequent centuries.   When the wars finally ended in the 17th century,  the dungeon was no longer needed and the castle was restored.  In World War II, antiquities from the Louvre in Paris were stored here to keep them safe.

In 1982, the current owners, Philippe & Stéphanie Gombert, acquired the estate and have dedicated themselves to preserving its beauty and providing an exceptional experience for the guests who stay there.

In addition to the beautiful grounds, the hotel, a Relais & Châteaux property, has tennis courts and an outdoor heated infinity pool.

The room

With its cream and beige interior, the spacious tower room was a soothing oasis in which to relax. 

It was also lovely to be greeted by a handwritten note, and a tray of fruit and walnut treats.   The walnuts in the Dordogne are a specialty of the region and are loaded with considerably more flavour than the typical grocery store variety.  And the walnut liqueur is just the sort of thing a princess looks forward to after a long drive.

Then there’s the tower bathroom.  It is a picture of luxury.  I truly didn’t want to leave the warm jacuzzi, while gazing out through the lead glass windows at the forest below.  The next morning, I lingered in the multi-jet shower, while enjoying the lovely scent of the Hermès products (eau d’orange verte).

Dine like a Queen (or King)

The Louis XIII dining room is an historic monument in itself.  But you might forget about that once you taste the food.

Michelin-starred chef Stéphane Andrieux has been serving seasonal flavours of the region on Limoges china to castle guests for 20 years.  The man is a master of the millefeuille, as well as one the Dordogne’s most mouthwatering specialties, foie gras.

After a sip of the bubbly and a delightful amuse-bouche, I reveled in my appetizer  – – one of my favourites – – fried scampi, beautifully set on a muslin of vegetables.  For my main course, I enjoyed the Chef’s delicious millefeuille of beef and foie gras with red wine sauce.  If you are in the Dordogne, this is the dish you must have.

And, as if that wasn’t enough taste sensation for an evening, the dinner was capped off by this tantalizing pear confection. 

The experience

I spent one night at the Château de la Treyne in the late fall.  But I can’t wait to return to take full advantage of this relaxing environment and, especially, to dine on the candlelit terrace overlooking the river.

From the moment I arrived at the hotel, the level of service made me feel like a special and treasured guest.  This, not to mention the unique room in a turret and the incredible dining, sets it apart.  A visit to Château de la Treyne is not your typical hotel stay.  It’s an experience.

Travel Bliss Now was a guest at Château de la Treyne, but my opinions are, as always, my own.

Pin it:

You may also like:

8 Reasons Why I Fell for Sarlat, France

The Gourmet Paradise in France You Must Visit

Why the New Stone Age Cave Paintings in France are a Must-See