Prestige stay Reims
The Domaine Les Crayères
A PLACE FULL OF HISTORY, BORN UNDER THE SIGN OF CHAMPAGNE
An exceptional location that combines French-style art de vivre, elegance, sophistication, and generosity.
Mythical wine suggestive of luxury, authenticity and dream, of the sweet powdery atmosphere of the big balls, of evening dresses and classical music, Champagne, to become King of wines and wine of Kings, stays in veritable subterranean cathedrals, under ancient chalk quarries or pits, called “crayères”. Above these caverns, in the heart of Rheims, housed in a seven-hectare park, the Domaine Les Crayères cultivates the same magic, making each moment bright and bubbly.
I stayed there almost by chance and my memory is so filled with pleasure and emotion that this place became one of my most pleasant travel surprises.
The story
The castle was built in the early 20th century by the Marquis and the Marquise de Polignac, who represented both one of the biggest brands of the place and one of the most brilliant families of France. From then on, the Domain became for Rheims, the region, and the whole world of Champagne a privileged scene of elegance, tradition never denied since. The Gardinier family followed the De Polignac family as officer of this fine heritage, assigning Le Domaine its new role of exquisite luxury hotel in the early 1980s, having as watchwords
“Excellence in every detail”. They call upon the services of Pierre-Yves Rochon, famous interior designer with international experience. The reverence for perfection continues: the kitchens are fully modernized, the dining room renovated, and the rooms redone in classic and contemporary style. The challenge was to integrate all the new technologies and services that each customer is entitled to expect from such an establishment, while preserving the soul of the place. The result is a perfect fusion between past and future in a sophisticated and delicate spirit.
The atmosphere
We stay timeless in this castle of legend the perspectives of which open on some of the most beautiful monuments of the surrounding city. No sooner you enter this domain than a feeling of inmost refinement wraps you, whereas the atmosphere tells you about rarity and elegance...
Here, only 20 rooms and suites welcome you in the purest French classic style. They are named after the titles of nobility of the illustrious women of French history: Empress, Princess, Duchess, Countess, Marquise, and Baroness. They embody the ultimate expression of an exceptional savoir vivre: attention to detail, selected paintings, collected objects, rare furniture and noble materials. All are different but each benefits from a generous space and from an exceptional view. Some even have a private terrace where you can have a romantic lunch, contemplating the towers of the cathedral and those of the basilica of Rheims beyond the garden and the foliage of the park.
The Domaine des Crayères is a place with a soul where hospitality and sense of service are raised at a rare level. All the staff is attentive to your every wish without obsequiousness, simply because they have pleasure to give you satisfaction. A communicative feeling of serenity and joy reigns there. Ah! The smile of Hélène and Nadine in the bend of a corridor, just after they came discreetly to prepare your room for the night with many little attentions ... And the availability of Julien, dynamic young man who takes care of your luggage and answers all your questions ... And the distinction of Patrick, who looks like an English Lord and is in charge of the reception desk in the evening ... And talents of all those we do not see but who work together to make your stay unforgettable!…
I keep-for example-a wonderful memory of the breakfast table, smartly-dressed in lace, silverware and porcelain, where every detail is thought-out, placed, chosen for your well-being.
The spirit
It is Hervé Fort, General Manager, who infuses the entire estate with such a generosity. Innovate, develop ideas, advance ... leader of men, he galvanizes all the willingnesses, listens, wonders.
“I'm like a conductor surrounded by first violins. We work together to grow the teams. I set up a 'career' plan to help them in their evolution. We forge ahead”, he assures. And that works: his first satisfaction is the obtaining by the Domaine Les Crayères, in January, 2010, of its fifth star, so confirming the establishment, member of the Relais & Châteaux association, at the top of the French hotel industry.
Native of Aveyron, from a family of restaurateurs, so far manager in the luxury sector, Hervé Fort arrives at the Crayères at the end of 2009. He takes on immediately a new Chef: Philippe Mille, winner of the National Competition of Artistic Cooking in 2008, who has also just won a Bronze Bocuse in Lyon.
“Philippe Mille was my first choice” he says.
“We wanted to find a osmosis between the house and the plate, to have the classicism of the Champagne gastronomic culture with a plain, greedy cooking which emphasizes the products of this region.”The heart
The young Chef oversees all the catering of the Domaine, that includes the gourmet restaurant Le Parc, the brasserie Le Jardin, but also the bar La Rotonde. At the age of 37, this great culinary contender of France is well-equipped in tools and talent to take up the challenge. The solid experience he gained at the side of several Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (Louis Grondart at Drouant, Frédéric Anton at the Pré Catelan, Michel Roth at Lasserre then at the Ritz) is the best guarantee of creating what he calls
“a Chef’s cuisine”.
“I have rather classic bases with a modern display”, he agrees. “The customer turns out in front of a readable plate. He knows what he eats. I like getting to the point, not altering the product”. From his arrival, he goes to meet local producers and begins to learn the specificities of each House of Champagne.
The orchestra
The gourmet restaurant Le Parc offers a majestic setting which embodies the French art de vivre in developing warm surroundings, moulded by History, where luxury, elegance and sensitivity mingle together. Its veranda makes it a magnificent showcase where French Haute Cuisine and Nature sing their own praises. Philippe Mille’s quest is to find the unqualified essence of each flavour in a masterful command of produce, cooking techniques, and sauces. It is the seasons which serve his inspiration; he captures them in every dish. For him, mealtime is, above all, a time for reverent pleasure. Each plate is to whet the appetite. There are no outrageous embellishments to distract the eye. From the marriage of French culinary tradition reinvented along with the Chef Sommelier Philippe Jamesse’s oenological knowledge, comes out a unique symbiosis between courses and Champagne. The latter brings his wine expertise and his perfect knowledge of some 400 references of Champagne, vintages from prestigious Houses or masterpieces from independent wine growers, proposed on his wine list. In the dining room, the Chef relies on the crisp professionalism and warm smile of Michel Gebel, who has been with the company for 20 years and was recently promoted to Restaurant Manager at Le Parc.
Versus the atmosphere of the initiated where the smiles of connoisseurs spread wide, the brasserie Le Jardin is an emotional playground for Philippe Mille, crafted in a resolutely modern décor, expressing the architectural and industrial heritage of Rheims; steel, stone, and brick. Here, he can play in the world of childhood memories and simmered dishes, easy-going, rough-and-ready conviviality and the flavourful simplicity of fresh products, served with a varied wine menu and a selection of some twenty wines by the glass. When the weather smiles on the region, the terrace, opening onto the Domaine’s splendid grounds, gives the place a special dimension: the rest of the senses and their simultaneous ecstasy. The responsibility of the brasserie belongs to Vincent Mansencal, who knows how to give meaning to the values of friendship and generosity provided by a genuine, sincere cookery. His whole team does not shrink from the sudden challenge thrown one evening by 5 customers who close their menu, saying:
“We cannot choose, make us a surprise!” The result exceeds all expectations: each guest is presented, from appetizer to dessert, a different and perfectly chosen dish with a glass of wine in perfect harmony, by an attentive and smiling staffs who kindly takes the time to tell everyone what he has in the plate and why he is served this wine ... a work of art!
In a warm and intimate British-tinged setting, the La Rotonde Bar is a haven of peace, pleasure and relaxation. Discover the infinite variety of Champagne wines? Enjoy a light meal at any time of the day? Choose a special place to work or ensure your meeting will be a success? La Rotonde offers a unique place in Rheims to experience rare moments, whether festive or precious, alone or accompanied, whenever you like. By day, the terrace overlooking the wonderful seven-hectare park, the breathtaking view of the grounds is all that is needed as ambiance. By night, under the twinkling stars in a flute of champagne, comes the energy of Laurent Maillard, bringing with him strains of muted jazz or dazzling concerts.
The plans
The energy is palpable at the Crayères.
“We must find experiences for our customers to live.” concludes Hervé Fort. We can trust him... In May-June 2012, there will be an extension of 20 rooms, nestled in the park, which will also house a spa, a meeting room and a parking. Among other novelties: jazz evenings, candlelight dinners on the terrace or in your room on the balcony, brunches once a month, a wine club, the egg hunt at Easter, the
‘Crayères Academy’ to make the children sing ... More than ever, The Domaine Les Crayères asserts the will to be for Rheims and in the world a place of lively celebration of Champagne and of the elegance which matches it.
The dream …
Treasury of comfort and serenity, place with a soul fed by the most creative paradoxes in a warm and intimate atmosphere, the Domain is the conservatory of a French art de vivre crossed by luxury and a touch of frivolity, by sensuality and nonchalance. For an unforgettable stay to discover the best wines of the region, believe in me, go to have a taste of the magic of the Crayères...
Dominique Peyral-Bon
LES CRAYÈRES
64, bd Henry Vasnier 51100 REIMS Tel. +33 (0)3 26 24 90 00Fax : +33 (0)3 26 24 90 01 www.lescrayeres.com
