When the morning sails cover the Vézère valley, the silhouette of blond stones of Bouilhac rises above the mists.
For nearly four centuries, this building has passed quiet days at the foot of the river, at the entrance to the village of Montignac.
In the 17th century, it was the home of Jean-Baptiste de Bouilhac, Louis XV's private physician.
Over time, doctors and lawyers passed the keys to the noble residence until it fell into oblivion.
It was in an advanced state of disrepair that chef Christophe Maury and his wife Karine acquired it in 2015. The couple rolled up their sleeves and breathed new life into this private mansion, with woodwork, adobe floors, parquet floors, marble fireplaces and grand cantou.
With decorator Marie-Christine Mecoen,
they infuse this new 4 star with a warm country chic spirit.
They create a scenography full of sweetness and poetry from remarkable pieces found in the attic, such as a tapestry from the Manufacture royale d'Aubusson or old objects from everyday Périgord life, more modest but charged with emotion.
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We like the living room conducive to reading, the large sunny terrace, the well-tuned piano, the indoor swimming pool… The 17 rooms and suites are spread over the historic building – the most charming – and in the old adjoining barn – the most spacious. and functional, designed for families.
The smell of the wood fire, the soft plaids, the reminiscence of waffles baked in grandmother's iron are comforting, as is the local cuisine, which magnifies foie gras or Caviar de Neuvic (from L'Isle).
Without forgetting the black diamond which is celebrated in Sarlat on the third weekend of January (the 14th and 15th this year) during a picturesque Truffle Festival.
Another winter tradition, the fat markets of Périgueux, Sarlat, Excideuil, Thiviers, Ribérac and Saint-Astier, to meet producers, goose and duck breeders.
To accompany their rillettes and confits, why not dare the organic winter gin, herbaceous and spicy, handcrafted by Loïs and Nolwenn Gauthier.
The brother and sister created the Distillerie de l'Òrt (visits by reservation: 09 71 42 91 51), local and eco-responsible, on the family farm in Montignac.
Boost serotonin secretion
One of the establishment's 17 rooms and suites.
Hôtel de Bouilhac / Press office
Not far from there, a forty-minute walk in the countryside (or six by car by road) is the International Center for Parietal Art, known as Lascaux IV.
An original two-hour guided tour reveals the replica of the famous cave decorated by torchlight, as in prehistoric times!
In the dark, lit by a diffuse halo, the frescoes are revealed step by step.
Shadows dance on the painted walls, laden with mysteries and surprises.
Another dazzle, outdoors this time, when the gardens of Eyrignac in Salignac-Eyvigues, and its 300 topiaries are sprinkled with frost.
Back at the hotel, relaxing break at the spa.
Its original positioning consists in offering only high-tech treatments (targeted anti-aging, relaxation, silhouette, etc.) provided exclusively by machines.
A session on the “hydrotherapy-Wellness Spa-hydrojet treatment table” promises to boost serotonin secretion.
Even if the Maury family decided to hand over at the start of the year, the Bouilhac team is pursuing the mission: to make their guests happy.
Hôtel de Bouilhac (Tel.: 05 53 51 21 46).
Room from €175.
Dordogne Perigord Tourist Office.
