Mr & Mrs Smith

If you are looking for a blissed-out holiday, Château Les Merles is perfect for you. The setting is dreamy, the food exceptional and the staff are a delight. All in a non-fussy relaxed way. We were thinking of spending our Sunday morning in the town of Bergerac, but one of the helpful staff suggested we save this for another day, as the shops are closed on a Sunday, but instead head for the town of Issigeac not too far away, for the Sunday market. We were not disappointed. A bustling market selling food and crafts, and the shops were open too. We stocked up on local wine at a fraction of the shop prices, and I found some lovely antique picture frames to make my suitcase weight over the limit. Well worth it.

What a fabulous experience! From the moment we arrived we were made to feel incredibly welcome as we sat by the open fire with our glass of bubbly. Wonderful room with superbly comfortable bed and views over the pools and gardens. Dinner in the A La Carte restaurant was a delight, the service was friendly and the chateau red wine very good. This was a romantic getaway treat from my boyfriend for my birthday and we loved every minute of it. Breakfast was sumptious – smoked salmon, poached eggs, champagne. Thank you!

go for a stroll around Bergerac and have lunch at the brilliant L'imparfait. The set lunch includes a tranche of foie gras and fillet steak all for 27 euros !

Blissfully quiet and with views to die for.

Leave plenty of time for long breakfasts which include bubbly! Top up later in the day with the chateau's own wine grown in the grounds - delicious and very reasonable.