Set the Scene
The rain patters softly on the roof of my sauna cabin. Through the window, a small lake catches shafts of golden morning light slicing through the clouds. The resident ducks hold court along the bank flanked by charming traditional Aquitaine architecture. On all sides we are enveloped by rolling vineyards as far as the eye can see. If this is heaven, then hallelujah.
Les Sources de Caudalie is a 5-star luxury spa and hotel set within the historic family-owned Château Smith Haut Lafitte estate, just 20 minutes from Bordeaux. Should France be on your European itinerary, then take it from someone who has lived here for ten years: forget Paris. This is the place to come.
The Story Behind It
Founded in 1999 by lifestyle entrepreneurs Alice and Jérôme Tourbier, the property has grown into a five-star hamlet of irresistible countryside charm; three restaurants (including the 2 Michelin starred La Grand’Vigne), 62 beautifully considered rooms and suites, and at its heart, the world's first Vinothérapie Spa. A luxury country residence, as they conceived it, that would carry the precision of a grand Palace while feeling, unmistakably, like home.
The founding philosophy is rooted in what the couple describes as a deep desire to create a place dedicated to others, oriented entirely towards nature. Eco-responsibility and sustainable practices are the guiding principles here. The property holds its place lightly in the landscape, which is precisely why the landscape gives so much back.
At the heart of it all is the Vinothérapie Spa, the world's first, a therapeutic alliance of natural hot spring water with vine and grape extracts that Alice helped bring to life alongside her sister, Mathilde Thomas founder of French cult beauty brand Caudalie. This is, in every sense, a family enterprise.
The Treatment
I arrived just days after the spa's grand re-opening following months of restoration. The building occupies its own corner of the grounds: a dreamy space where heated indoor and outdoor pools are set within bucolic gardens. There’s a hamman, an infrared sauna and a spacious jacuzzi that gazes out over the picture-perfect French countryside. An outdoor natural water tub offers something close to full immersion in the landscape itself. It is, to use the technical term, exactly what you need.
Vinothérapie is built on a compelling idea: that the same compounds responsible for the longevity of a vine — some of which live for a century — can do comparable work on your complexion. The hero ingredients are resveratrol, which supports the vine's natural regenerative defences and was patented by Caudalie as an anti-ageing active, and viniferine, a precious sap drawn from vine stalks that fades dark spots and restores radiance. Mathilde Thomas, who also wrote the New York Times bestseller The French Beauty Solution, has driven every formula personally alongside a team of dermatologists. Science meets terroir, essentially.
I opt for the Premier Cru facial, their anti-ageing protocol, (this tired mama of two needs a visage refresh). Premier Cru are the most luxurious products in the Caudalie range; seven years in development, with over 200 trials and three exclusive patents. The treatment is simultaneously precise and deeply indulgent: layered serums, sculpting massage, skilled, focused attention that transports you into a dream state. I emerged with skin that was visibly plumped, renewed, and frankly better-looking than it had any right to be after a day of travel.
The spa itself is a haven surrounded by nature. Enjoy the serene views from the spacious jacuzzi, float in the outdoor tub, touch some grass and let the gardens do their healing work. You’ve got to give it to the French. They really know how to live.
After your treatment, follow the path through the vines for a tasting at Château Smith Haut Lafitte next door. The same grapes that just worked on your face are in each of the 1000 barrels in the underground ‘cathédrale’ cellar. The least you can do is go and taste them.
Fast Facts
Location: Chemin de Smith Haut Lafitte, Martillac — 20 minutes south of Bordeaux
Atmosphere: Bucolic, restorative, entirely French
Price Point: $$$$
Our Favourite Thing About the Spa: The world's first Vinothérapie concept, rooted in the science of the vine and delivered in a newly restored spa that earns every bit of the hype
Recommended Treatment: The Premier Cru Anti-Ageing Facial
Don't Miss: Saturday morning yoga class. A gentle and grounding practice awaits. Enjoy a private tennis lesson with coach Julien at the courts located in the nearby forest. For nature and adventure lovers, borrow one of the hotel’s electric bikes to discover the vineyards en vélo.
Martillac, France
