Hotel Edward 1er is a beautifully restored 17-room château that has been converted into a hotel and gastronomic restaurant by Arjan and Marije Capelle, a Dutch couple who moved from the Netherlands to France. Hotel Edward 1er is located in Monpazier, voted one of the most beautiful villages of France (“les plus beaux villages de France”).
Arjan and Marije realized they wanted to run their own hotel and restaurant after working for a large hospitality company. They searched for over two years for the perfect location and found this château (during their honeymoon). They have always loved the Dordogne for its nature, good food, wine, sporting and cultural offerings, and this was the ideal opportunity.
Monpazier, founded in 1284 by King Edward I of England, is considered the model bastide (fortified village) among the 300 bastides in southwest France, most of which follow a similar design. In Monpazier you find a village square surrounded by arcades and the classic rectilinear street plan. Around the square are houses built between the Middle Ages and the 18th century. This listed and protected mediaeval village is in nearly perfect condition, in spite of the Hundred Years War and other religious wars. You will discover many historical buildings, often classified as monuments.
Monpazier, one of the most beautiful villages in France
In the village square, only a minute’s walk from the Hotel Edward 1er, you will find many shops and cafes, On Thursdays there is a traditional market in the square with stalls selling crafts and regional produce.
Eléonore, the gastronomic restaurant at Hotel Edward 1er, uses as much as possible local, seasonal products, which are prepared in novel ways — for example, in combination with an exotic spice. They serve traditional Dordogne dishes such as foie gras, duck breast, and local cheeses (but, for example, with a spicy chutney). Arjan and Marije also have an informal contemporary bistrot called Bistro2 which is only a short stroll from the hotel.
Unlike many châteaux-hotels, the small scale of Hotel Edward 1er makes it feel more intimate and comforting. The suites and rooms are decorated in calm neutral colours. Arjan and Marije have achieved a striking balance between the historic features of the château and their contemporary style, meeting the needs of modern travellers for comfortable furniture, beds, chairs and tables. They built an extension of the château this past winter; they now have 5 extra rooms (in total 17 rooms), a new dining room and a kitchen. You can see photos of the extensive renovations on their Facebook page.
Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac in the Dordogne
The top five places to visit in the area are the charming village of Monpazier itself, Château Biron and its village, Gouffre de Proumeyssac (largest cave in the Perigord), Jardins de Marqueyssac (hanging gardens of Marqueyssac) and Limeuil, a village where the Dordogne and Vézère rivers converge. If you like outdoor activities, there’s enough hiking, cycling, golf and horseback-riding to fill your days and make you ravenous for the delicious cuisine served at the Hotel Edward 1er’s restaurant.
Chateau Hotel Edward 1er
5, rue Saint-Pierre
24540 MONPAZIER
Dordogne, France
Phone: +33 5 53 22 44 00
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