La Cote Saint Jacques - French Luxury at Its Best

Within the region of Burgundy, France, the town of Joigny is a place for history and culture within a two hour drive (or less on the high speed train) from Paris. La Cote Saint Jacques is in this village, on the Yonne River, which you can view from all of the rooms. It seems like the perfect location for this property which has been a family affair from the beginning.

Marie Lorain first opened this property in 1945 as a boarding house. She had four children. Michel was the youngest and he and his wife took over the property in 1958. The inn was enlarged and renovated over the years, with an emphasis on building a top restaurant. It was a success with Michel at the helm and his wife Jacqueline serving as one of France's few female sommeliers. The two continued to build La Cote Saint Jacques and in 1977 it became one of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux properties.

The reputation of La Cote Saint Jacques has just grown with the addition of Michel & Jacqueline's son, Jean-Michel Lorain, in 1983. He joined his father in the kitchen and helped the restaurant receive dining's finest honor, three Michelin stars, in 1986. He is world renowned for eclectic dishes such as Lamb Fillet with Popcorn, and he knows how to cook White Truffle and Frogs Legs to perfection. In fact, his skills are so in demand that he has started a cooking school for those who wish to learn from the best, while staying at the hotel. Chef's Table dinners are also available.

The hotel at La Cote Saint Jacques has gone through continuous renovations over the years and it is just stunning, with every detail to artistic design taken care of. Despite the air of the finest luxury, children are welcome here and it is made to feel like you are in a family's estate, not their hotel. There are 32 rooms and suites, each with a different layout, but all with luxurious bathrooms and premium amenities. La Cote Saint Jacques has a full service spa with facilities that include an ofuro tub made of previous wood. A private boat is available to take you for a ride on the river, or across to the tennis court if you wish to burn off calories before another scrumptious meal.

A meal at Le Cote Saint Jacques will definitely set you back a few hundred Euro, but it is worth it for a special occasion. There are also some very reasonable packages and special rates for a hotel of this caliber. Check out the details on the the hotel's website.