Written by Nadège – 5 min read
A weekend in the Bordeaux vineyards, with the urge to sleep on site rather than drive back and forth from Bordeaux: we headed to Saint-Émilion and Logis de la Cadène, set on a small square in the village listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An address with the rare distinction of being both the town’s oldest restaurant and one of its Michelin-starred tables.
What is Logis de la Cadène?
Founded in 1848, Logis de la Cadène remains the oldest restaurant in Saint-Émilion, set on Place du Marché au Bois under a wisteria pergola facing the bell tower of the monolithic church. Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, whose family has run Château Angélus since 1782, bought the property in 2013 to turn it into a gourmet address worthy of the surrounding terroir. The bet paid off: a Michelin star followed as early as 2017, and the house reopened in early 2023 after a new round of renovations, adding three extra rooms and an expanded kitchen. Since September 2023, chef Thibaut Gamba has run the kitchen, with cooking built around plants and seafood.
Just 8 rooms and suites occupy the first floor of this 18th-century house, each named after a vintage that matters to the family’s history: 1544, 1782, 1945, 1985, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2022. A few steps away, Maison de la Cadène, a fully renovated 17th-century residence, offers 4 additional suites and can be booked privately for groups of friends or extended families.
Our stay at Logis de la Cadène
Which room did we get?
The rooms lean into full-on rustic-chic: old woodwork, antique furniture, exposed stone and beams, in a spirit closer to a family home than a standardized hotel look. With only 8 rooms in total, booking ahead is worth it, especially during busy weekends, in summer as well as in autumn.
What makes it stand out
The size of the place changes everything: impossible to feel anonymous in an 8-room house.
The location, right in the heart of the medieval town, means you can do everything on foot, which isn’t that common for an address of this caliber in the middle of wine country.
And of course, being able to dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant makes the whole Logis de la Cadène experience that much more charming.
The real perks…
What about dinner?
The Michelin-starred table at Logis de la Cadène showcases chef Thibaut Gamba’s cooking, firmly built around plants and seafood, sourced through the short supply chains of La Ferme 1544, Château Angélus’s own farm. The wine list, with several hundred references from some of the region’s biggest names, rounds out an experience clearly designed to crown a stay at the hotel.
What about breakfast?
A buffet breakfast with homemade products. The selection was fairly limited that morning, maybe because we came down a bit late, but we would have liked more choice. Staff presence was also thin, and we felt a bit left to fend for ourselves.
Would we come back?
For the Michelin-starred table and the location in the heart of the village, without hesitation. Since the restaurant only opens Tuesday to Friday (lunch and dinner) and Saturday evening only, it’s best to plan your stay around those dates. We also loved the charm of the room decor, with real attention to detail and generously sized bathrooms.
Activities
At the hotel
The gourmet restaurant and its wine cellar remain the heart of the experience, rounded out by a lounge designed to extend the evening after dinner. Maison de la Cadène, with its library and relaxation spaces, can be booked privately for a group that wants the whole house to itself.
Nearby
Saint-Émilion is best explored on foot straight from the hotel’s front door: cobbled lanes, the monolithic church and its bell tower, panoramic views over the village rooftops and surrounding vineyards. Neighboring wine estates, including Angélus, owned by the family who runs Logis de la Cadène, regularly organize visits and tastings for the hotel’s guests.
For families, there’s the option of a fun urban escape game with Escape The City.
Photo Gallery
Le Logis de la Cadène: FAQ
Is Logis de la Cadène a Michelin-starred restaurant?
Yes, the restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2017, and has been led by chef Thibaut Gamba since 2023.
How many rooms does the hotel have?
8 rooms and suites in the main building, plus 4 more suites in the nearby Maison de la Cadène.
Should I book well in advance?
Yes, the property’s small size and its gastronomic reputation mean availability fills up fast, especially on weekends and during the region’s big wine events.
Does the restaurant offer vegetarian options?
Chef Thibaut Gamba’s cooking is described as firmly plant-focused, which leaves real room for meat-free dishes, even though the restaurant remains a gourmet address rather than a specifically vegetarian one. Be sure to let the team know in advance so the kitchen can adapt.
How do you get to Logis de la Cadène?
The hotel sits right in the center of the village of Saint-Émilion, on Place du Marché au Bois, about 40 minutes by car from Bordeaux.
Practical Information
Details
Le Logis de la Cadène
Address: 3 Place du Marché au Bois, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Phone: +33 (0)5 57 24 71 40
Website: logisdelacadene.fr
About 40 minutes by car from Bordeaux.