Le Domaine Les Crayères was built in 1904 as a private residence for Marquis and Marquise de Polignac. This opulent 20 room mansion is centered on a 7-hectare parklike property featuring mature gardens. Les Crayères is in the heart of Reims, France, the Champagne region, next to the cellars of the Great Champagne Houses, on a World Heritage Site, Colline Saint Nicaise. The Marquis and Marquise de Polignac chose the site of their classic French mansion to be near the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims, a significant European Gothic Masterpiece of Architecture.
Descendants of the de Polignac Family inhabited this majestic property until 1978. In 1983 this elegant family mansion was reopened as a Hotel-Restaurant after extensive detailed period renovations. Under the tutelage of Gérard and Elyane Boyer, who were the hosts until 2003, the Domaine Les Crayères has earned two Michelin stars for it’s restaurant, while Travel and Leisure and Condé Nast Travel award it as the “Best Hotel in The World”. Under the current leadership, Domaine Les Crayères continues its illustrious string of awards for best hotel and restaurant.
You will marvel at the delicate details of the elegantly decorated rooms and suites. Each of the 20 rooms and suites are distinctively intimate, yet generously sized and include modern amenities. The Marquis and Marquise de Polignac may or may not approve, but each room is air conditioned with high speed internet and free wi-fi. The Domaine Les Crayères of course offers valet parking, welcomes children and caters to dogs. Elevators and disabled access were completed during the historically detailed renovation process. Business services provided by a 24-hour staffed front desk with Concierge Service. Breakfast is served daily in your room or if you desire you may take breakfast in the dedicated semi-formal breakfast room with floor to ceiling windows, grand art work and intricate plush carpeting.
The magic of your stay at Domaine Les Crayères will allow you time for activities deserved of a Marquis and Marquise. The Concierge Service can arrange activities for you that include horseback riding, golf, tennis, biking, hiking and of course tours of the Reims cityscape, architecture and its Champagne heritage. Whatever activities you choose, be sure to make your way back to Domaine Les Crayères for meals prepared by Grand Chef Relais et Châteaux Phillippe Mille.
Pan fried foie gras with strawberries
Quail form "Pel et Der" Diable sauce
Raspberry cheesecake and pink biscuit from Reims
Thank you Michel.
Brasserie Le Jardin is an astoundingly modern space amidst the elegance and grandeur of the Domaine Les Crayères, where Chef Mille reminisces with the food of his childhood in this informal garden setting. Brasserie Le Jardin offers connoisseurs a selection of dishes such as swordfish, sea bass, foie gras, quail, sweetbreads, kidney of veal and ribsteak of beef all prepared with delightfully intriguing genuine ingredients.
Restaurant Le Parc
In a more formal setting, Chef Mille presents his elegant, refined French Haute Cuisine in Restaurant Le Parc, a formal dining room setting that is fit for royalty. The gourmet cuisines of Meilleur Ouvrier de France Chef Phillippe Mille are complemented by head sommelier, Philippe Jamesse, a world-renowned champagne expert who has filled the wine and champagne cellars with over 1500 hand selected vintages. it would not be France without pastries. Pastry Chef Yoann Normand is part of the LeParc experience to cap off the elaborate meal.
In a nod to the neighbors across the channel, Bar La Rotonde offers light snacks in a setting that is decidedly British in its feel and décor. Maintaining it’s French flavor and as a tribute to the champagne traditions, patrons can choose from over 600 champagnes and over 1000 wines. As the curator of this extensive, hand selected collection Philippe Jamesse has assembled offerings from hand producers to large houses of champagnes and wine. With his world-renowned knowledge of wines and champagnes and his discerning taste, he has added a superbly magnificent touch to the Champagne and Wine experience at Les Crayères, the Jamesse Glass.
Using his knowledge of champagne and applying physics to the effervescence process, Philippe Jamesse, Head Sommelier at Domaine Les Crayères, has developed a line of glassware specifically for its service. The Jamesse Prestige glasses enhances the various palette of tastes, colors and aging inherent in the art of champagne. The Jamesse Prestige Glasses are a unique addition to the champagne stay at Domaine Les Crayères.
You might want to visit Domaine Les Crayères to experience the life of the French Aristocrat in 1904. Maybe your interest is dining with one of the world’s most recognized and awarded chefs. You might have a desire to have your wine recommended by a world recognized Sommelier. Maybe you are such a champagne enthusiast that just drinking champagne in a Jamesse Prestige Glass hand selected by Head Sommelier at Domaine Les Crayères, Philippe Jamesse, will knock one off your bucket list. Whatever your reason, a visit to Le Domaine Les Crayères is a once in a lifetime experience in lodging, dining, wine, champagne and history.
Story by Daniel Dachille and Laine Page
Some photos courtesy of Domaine Les Crayeres