Eugénie-les-Bains, France
Synonymous with luxury chateaux and health retreats, Les Pres d’Eugenie offers the highest Michelin star cuisine, rural beauty and charm, sumptuous rooms and thermal spa relaxation
Our review
Previously, the home of chef Michel Gerard and his wife for over forty years, he held three Michelin stars here for 37 of them. The property – in the pretty spa village of Eugenie–les–Bains – and set in 13 acres, consists of the main house with the restaurant, the 18th century convent that now offers accommodation, a re-sited old farmhouse that now houses the spa, and a separate housing block for long-term visitors to the spa and chefs attending the chef school.
The entrance to the main house is blessed with small fountains and neat formal gardens. In the shade are small patios for afternoon tea or places to relax. All around the hotel are more landscaped grounds with roses, fountains, large trees with lawn, and a kitchen garden with herbs for the restaurants. The overwhelming impression is of peace with flowing water and birdsong.
The gourmet restaurant is in the main building. Aperitifs are normally taken in the attractive salon – with polished stone floor, oriental rugs and antiques – before being called to the table. The dining room has well spaced tables covered with linen cloths and has comfortable chairs. Each table has a little arrangement of small red apples and perhaps an ornamental duck or two. Food is spectacular – as are the prices – but the tasting menu including wine for each course, represents great value and the one we plumped for. Portions are generous and we both felt full at the end of it, as well as being entirely satisfied with the quality and variety of food offered. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we felt like splashing out. If you are lucky, Mon Gerard will come to your table, to see if you are enjoying your meal.
An all-suite hotel, we had the royal suite Leonor on the first floor, one of the best in the hotel and overlooking the front of the building. The four rooms ran into each other, starting with the bedroom, then the hall, a dressing room and ending with the bathroom. There was also a narrow balcony with pleasing painted white metal balustrade. The bedroom was huge with oversized bed, a large sofa and a table with two chairs. In the hall area was a large desk and another sofa. In the dressing room was a wardrobe and separate hanging space as well as a table and dresser. The bathroom had an antique easy chair, two basins, and double shower and a deep tub. Toiletries were by L’Occitaine. Throughout are vases containing roses picked from the garden and antiques, rugs and pictures chosen by Madame Gerard.
Breakfast in our room was simply lovely. It had the best of everything on a tray with proper silverware and linen.
As well as walking in the grounds and enjoying the spa (more later), there is the pretty village a two minute level walk away and complimentary bicycles to borrow should you wish to go further.
The spa is associated with wellness and focuses on water treatments that it specialises in. I had a five-therapy spa treatment. After waiting in the pleasant reception area for a short time – with crackling wood fire and small flower arrangements – I was taken to start my treatments. They are all completely private so I felt comfortable being naked, liberated even. First was the mud bath. I had my own private bath, shaped like an enormous old-fashioned keyhole, with steps leading down and hand rails on both sides. To one side of the bath were a few lit candles. It was all rather lovely. The bath itself was very soothing, like bathing in melted milk chocolate. It is impossible not to lie on your back as the mud is obviously thicker than water. There is an emergency cord if you have any problems. After about ten minutes, I climbed out and had a shower, before being taken to the next stage. The second was a herbal bath Jacuzzi. Here was a large room furnished with antiques, a lit wood fire in the brick fireplace and a warm bath filled with rosemary, thyme and mint. There was also a bunch to rub on your skin. Third stop was a steam room. I was told to breathe deeply for maximum benefit. The fourth was another bath, this time with water jets, set automatically. These pummel your stomach. Finally was the water table where, lying on my stomach, jets of water are programmed to target the body quite hard. This was the only treatment I did not enjoy particularly, maybe because I’m a bit of a wimp. Between each treatment, I was led to the lounge area. Here I could enjoy a warm or cold tisane made with herbs from the garden. The spa had a lovely, calm feel to it and was immaculate. I’m not a big fan of water, never mind water treatments, but this is one I did enjoy. The hotel offers retreats with dietary advice, special food and treatments in the spa for nine or 12 days.
Back to the hotel, and near the exit is a renovated house on the town’s main street that is now a cafe and has a chef-training kitchen to the rear. Chefs come from all over the world to train here.
There is also an alternative to the gourmet restaurant in the grounds with a large terrace. There is a roaring log fire inside most days, and with bare stone walls and drying hams hanging from iron chandelier on the ceiling, it’s very attractively furnished too.
Pres d’Eugenie is a very special place that the owners have cherished and improved over the years. I can recommend it wholeheartedly.
Rooms
Les Prés d’Eugénie offers around 40 to 45 individually styled rooms and suites distributed across historic residences and garden pavilions. Each room features antique furnishings, fine fabrics and views over rose gardens, fountains or parkland. Many rooms include terraces or balconies, and larger suites provide generous living spaces filled with character and charm.
Food and Drink
The Michelin three‑star Restaurant Michel Guérard is the gastronomic heart of the property, founded by the legendary chef Michel Guérard and now continuing his natural, health‑focused haute cuisine philosophy. The restaurant remains one of France’s most celebrated culinary destinations.
Additional dining venues include L’Orangerie, offering elegant seasonal cuisine, and La Ferme aux Grives, a more rustic auberge serving traditional regional dishes. Casual meals and refreshments are also available across the estate’s lounges and gardens.
Wellness
La Ferme Thermale is the hotel’s renowned spa, built around a natural thermal spring. Wellness facilities include thermal baths, mud treatments, saunas and treatment rooms focused on detox, relaxation and weight‑management programmes, alongside fitness and gentle activity options.
Facilities
- Three‑Michelin‑star gastronomic restaurant
- Additional restaurants and traditional auberge
- Thermal spa and wellness centre
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Extensive landscaped gardens and parkland
- Tennis court and outdoor activities
- Meeting and private event spaces
- Free Wi‑Fi and on‑site parking
Location
Les Prés d’Eugénie is located in Eugénie‑les‑Bains, a historic spa village in southwest France’s Landes region. The peaceful countryside setting lies near the foothills of the Pyrenees, offering easy access to thermal heritage sites and rural walking trails.
Getting there
Address: 234 Rue René Vielle, 40320 Eugénie-les-Bains, France
Arriving by air: Pau Pyrénées Airport– Located 31 miles (50 km) 47 minutes by car.
More information
To see hotel pictures, for more information on facilities, to check availabilty or to book a stay then please click below
Disclaimer
Paul and Livvy will earn a small commission if you book using the links above. This never affects our review and helps us provide useful information. We endeavour to make our hotel information as accurate as possible but things change over time. For any specific requirements or questions, please always check directly with the hotel before booking. We cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
* Note: The hotel review was last updated in early 2026. Please let us know if you spot any factual errors.