Luxury hotel holiday Domaine de Locguénolé Kervignac, Brittany

The construction of a chateau on the site of Locguénolé was started in the early 1800s and it remained the main residence of the De Perrien family and their descendants, the De la Sabliere family, until the 1960s when the hotel was first created. Locguénolé became a member of the Relais & Chateaux association soon after and has remained a member ever since. Today the Domaine de Locguénolé occupies a commanding position within a majestic 25-hectare estate of parkland and woods which borders the Blavet estuary. The hotel is just a few miles from the south coast of the Morbihan region of Brittany, with nearby places of interest including the Quiberon peninsula and the resort of Carnac. The park offers avenues of centuries-old trees, landscaped gardens with exuberant shrubs, an orchard where about twenty cider apples grow, a vegetable garden and greenhouse, and beehives (honey from the estate is served for breakfast and used in the kitchen). There is an outdoor swimming pool with sun terrace and an artificial grass tennis court. Locguénolé has its own pontoon on the Blavet from where excursions by boat can depart. Indoors you’ll appreciate the elegant but welcoming surroundings. I’Inattendu is the gourmet restaurant, situated in one of the wings of the chateau under a glass roof. The chef is Yann Maget who offers a subtle and ingenious cuisine, combining the Breton ocean and terroir. There are set menus and an A la carte to choose from. The bistrot, called La Maison Alyette, is situated on the garden level of the chateau and has a panoramic terrace overlooking the gardens and estuary below. The atmosphere is relaxed and accessible yet the menu pays homage to French traditions. Here, also, there is choice between set menu and an A la Carte. There are 46 rooms and suites located in the main chateau, its manor-house, the orangerie and the converted stables, known as Le Club. There are many different categories of room: some with park view, some with sea view, some small doubles and some suites that can accommodate a family. Throughout, the style of the furnishings blends the traditions of the chateau and contemporary comfort; and everywhere there is a reflection of the colours and flavours of the French East India Company with its base nearby at Lorient, and its trade in spices and fabrics. There are also three very different and very special units of accommodation at Locguénolé: the Cuckoo suite (a former henhouse) with living, master bedroom and a second bedroom with two bunk beds; the Bateau-suite Le Caprice which is an old sailing ship with master suite and a cabin for up to three children; and the Villa Belem that is a little house that looks like a Portuguese chapel that has three bedrooms. The Domaine de Locguénolé is a superb base for rest, relaxation and exploring southern Brittany.