Château de Vault de Lugny

Le Valucien - Château de Vault-de-Lugny

"The terrace of this stately home overlooking sprawling grounds and a 17C plane tree features in a novel by French author Michel Houellebecq. Mauritian chef Franco Bowanee crafts fine contemporary cuisine, strewn with discerning exotic touches. He doesn't mess around: his delicious dishes shine the spotlight not only on premium ingredients, but also the vegetables from the estate's kitchen garden. Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, the dining room slots into the surrounding nature perfectly." - Michelin Inspector

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"In the heart of Burgundy, at the northern edge of the Morvan nature reserve, is a castle whose earliest roots can be traced to 1120. This is the Château de Vault de Lugny, a fairy-tale 17th-century aristocratic residence that’s sacrificed none of its opulence on its way to becoming one of the region’s finest small luxury hotels." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team

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"Karina Laval is an integral part of this historic hotel restaurant's concept, which features a marriage of flavors fusing indigenous produce from Burgundy and Mauritius. Laval is known for her desserts such as passion fruit and mango mousse with grapefruit zest sablé, sorbet and stewed citrus fruit and crunchy hazelnut Maracaibo chocolate with a soft praline ganache." - Kenneth Goh

"Le Château de Vault-de-Lugny near Avallon is run by a young couple: Franco Bowanee takes care of the savory offerings while Karina Laval runs the pastry department." - The MICHELIN Guide

"Le Château de Vault-de-Lugny near Avallon is run by a young couple: Franco Bowanee takes care of the savory offerings while Karina Laval runs the pastry department." - The MICHELIN Guide

Adam W

Google

Quite simply this is probably the best travel experience we have ever had. The hotel is very comfortable. The grounds are picturesque. The restaurant is simply amazing. Our waiter for two dinners and one lunch was David, who provided the best restaurant service we’ve ever had. He knew exactly what we needed and when we needed it. Just amazing. Can’t wait to visit again.

G D

Google

This is a beautiful castle. However, the hotel inside is a disappointment. The cheapest room is still outrageously expensive but small and has no charm at all with uninspired furniture and a tiny TV. No spa, just a small, stuffy indoor pool with some jets. The bar features a severely limited selection and an amateur bartender charging high-end prices. Breakfast was OK but served in an uncomfortable room. Service is a mixed bag from friendly and helpful to indifferent and snooty. The only redeeming feature is the park and terrace with a majestic tree.||It seems the hotel is living of its "1000 Places to See" fame, attracting many unsuspecting English speakers, and of its truly excellent, Michelin-starred restaurant. There are much nicer places to stay in Burgundy.

Ned Lambton

Google

Excellent place to stay in a beautiful area, with very good food. Possibly questionable decor. Great new dining room with glass walls. Rural feel yet convenient for the Autoroute. Interesting C13 abandoned tower. Can be explored at own risk!

E H

Google

Gracious estate replete with white peacocks and several hundred-year-old platane tree was a lovely experience: after being admitted at the gate, having our bags ferried in a golf cart, and checking into our room with dark wood, fireplace, and four-poster canopied bed, all befitting a chateau (castle), we lounged/read at seating on the lawn, drinking afternoon tea--staff appeared helpfully to take orders. The owner or manager hobnobbed with guests and locals, accompanied by the house dogs, the chef and kitchen staff arrived as we were having tea and smiled, the gardner took his leave in his truck, moving an old dog out of the path--and the little robot lawn mower managed to disengage itself from lawn chairs--all creating a feeling of luxury at work. Dinner was at the wonderful one-star restaurant (separate review) overlooking the lawn and platane tree--a magical setting. Staff was friendly yet professional, and all designed to provide a welcoming, special experience.

Amp Z

Google

Relaxed luxury and natural beauty. We visited the chateau for two nights in April and enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere and attentive, professional service — and of course the wonderful restaurant. Our room was beautifully appointed with toile covered walls, hand painted tiles and brass fixtures in the bathroom and a fantastic view onto the lawn (where three white peacocks pranced around). Room service was present but unobtrusive and provided thoughtful details, such as a pool robe for our daughter and infra-day refresh of towels and various toiletries. The restaurant is in a league of its own, a creative take on French high cuisine using very fresh ingredients. Fantastic wine list. Overall child friendly as well. Will return.||Discreet and well stocked bar.

Madeleine T

Google

This is a truly lovely place. We arrived in mid 30 degree heat and were shown immediately to our gorgeous room, which was delightfully cool. The bed was super large and the bathroom had all amenities. We had emailed 2 days prior to advise that owing to a fish intolerance we could not eat fish and that was acknowledged on arrival. Nevertheless the restaurant staff appeared aghast that we could not eat fish as the menu is fish dominated and we were persuaded to have crab starter. The only non fish main was duck which is not our favourite thing to eat. However, the appetisers, crab, duck and dessert (raspberries from Chateau garden) were simply delicious and faultless. We ate dinner and breakfast the following day on the terrace overlooking the grounds and chateau walls. Robot lawnmowers (which without my glasses I thought were giant hedgehogs) worked away throughout. Breakfast was superb, each guest was served breakfast on the terrace on a tray - a boiled egg, croissant, baguette, cold ham, selection of cheese, yoghurt, condiments - all beautifully presented, felt thoroughly spoiled. By the way the wine list was superb.

Margaret C

Google

This is a beautiful property and we felt like royalty staying here. Our room, the King Room, was huge! And the bathroom was almost as big. The only downsides to the room were: the lack of conveniently located outlets for modern electronics, the shower didn’t have any shelving for products, and the large bathroom windows faced the front of the chateau, which were draped with only sheer curtains. So make sure you use those provided robes! ||Our breakfasts were plentiful and we enjoyed two very delicious gourmet dinners here. ||The gardens are lovely and the geese, ducks, and chickens add to the charm. We highly recommend this hotel- it’s gorgeous.

Islena

Google

Gorgeous property and a perfect respite after the bustle and crowds of Paris. Our meal at the restaurant was incredible. The carriage house was perfect for our family of 4 and we were able to safely leave the kids in the room while we enjoyed the Michelin starred restaurant. Proximity to Avallon and Vezelay made for delightful outings. But just enjoying the grounds was such a treat!

Le Valucien - Château de Vault-de-Lugny

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"Le Château de Vault-de-Lugny near Avallon is run by a young couple: Franco Bowanee takes care of the savory offerings while Karina Laval runs the pastry department." - The MICHELIN Guide

"Le Château de Vault-de-Lugny near Avallon is run by a young couple: Franco Bowanee takes care of the savory offerings while Karina Laval runs the pastry department." - The MICHELIN Guide