Golf du Château des Vigiers. A timeless stopover...

Near Bergerac and Saint Emilion. Soon to be in his thirties...

The Golf des Vigiers will be thirty years old in 2023. The site, with its 27 holes, fields of plum trees at the edge of the fairways, vineyards, château in the form of a charming residence and beautifully crafted ancillary accommodation, exudes controlled development. A superb location that won't overwhelm you. A secret place, nestled in Monestier, in the heart of the purple Périgord and close to the vineyards of Bergerac and Monbazillac, but not isolated. This south-western part of the Dordogne has relatively quick access to the Bordeaux region (Mérignac airport 75 minutes away), the Saint-Emilion vineyards and the Libourne TGV station (50 minutes), which links Paris in less than three hours.

Perigordian and international ambience

It was undoubtedly this very impression that led Lars Urban Petterson and his wife Elisabeth to purchase the small château built by royal judge Jean Vigier in 1597 and known at the time for its "Petit Versailles" feel. With a few friends from Harvard, the Swede, who had just sold his container company, embarked on the adventure of creating a high-end estate combining golf, discreet real estate and hotels. Lars Petterson sadly succumbed to a "long illness" in 2004. His wife Elisabeth, so instrumental in the Château's design and decoration, now lives in Henley, England. But the Vigiers remain with all their Perigordian and Swedish soul. An inimitable blend of unspoilt nature and sophistication. The Château's incredibly cosmopolitan team embodies this kind of rigor and relaxed warmth: France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Morocco, Hungary, and even Sri Lanka - so many countries represented among the staff! Norwegians, Britons, Belgians, Americans and Australians are just some of the nationalities represented on the golf course.

Three complementary 9-hole courses.

The 27 holes, designed by British architect Donald Steel, were built in two stages: Le Lac (par 35, 2937 m) and Le Vignes (par 36, 3083 m) in 1992, and La Vallée (par 36, 3112m) in 2008.

Over time, the layouts have become more assertive, the roughs have found their consistency, while the greens, which are rather small, have slopes that make it easy to take 3 putts. The setting is sumptuous and the courses varied. "La Vallée" is the most technical course, with dog-leg holes (2, 8 and 9) and the 144 m par 3 third hole, with an elevated green not visible from the teeing area. "Les Vignes" is a simpler course, with no major difficulties apart from the 330 m par 4 7th, which is out of bounds on the left. The plum trees along the fairways make this 9-hole course a delight. Le Lac" features Les Vigiers' signature hole, the 381 m dog-leg left 9 par 4, which needs to be played with a fairly long draw. Next, a tricky approach to a green bordered by a stretch of water in which the façade of the château can be seen. " Hole 9 on the Lac course was particularly difficult. However, the solution I came up with makes it the most spectacular hole I've ever designed," emphasizes Donald Steel, designer of courses such as Plantation Cherokee, Aquidnek (USA), Cleveland, Dudsberry (UK), Eftelings (Netherlands), Enniscrone, Dooks (Ireland) Amarilla (Spain) Aquiraz (Brazil), Aroeira (Portugal) and contributor to the renovation of Royal Birkdale, Royal County Down...

Green fee

9 holes: from €25 to €45

18 holes: from 40 to 78 euros

Daffodils, plums, ceps and cabecou

Whether it's daffodils in bloom on the spring greens, plums near the drive in summer or porcini mushrooms at the dawn of autumn, golfers visiting Les Vigiers always seem to marvel. And understandably so. Beyond the 27 holes, the spa and the Château's decor, it's these little details that charm. Just like the lovely selection of pure Périgord products (cabecou cheese, honey and chestnut jam, local charcuterie and yoghurts) offered at breakfast on a separate serving tray, in addition to more "international" foods.

Cuvée "L.U.P" and merlot galore

The Château des Vigiers golf course is also the vineyard. The one that grows on the estate. With an annual production of 100,000 bottles: two-thirds red wine, one-third white. Since 1994, priority has been given to Merlot, Lars Urban Petterson's favorite grape variety, whose fruit is Luppe, a special cuvée "L.U.P", after the initials of Lars Urban Petterson.

Two gastronomic atmospheres in catering

The Bistrot des Vigiers, which underwent a facelift in 2020 with a warm, art deco look while preserving the architecture of the old wine-making cellar, giving way to gourmet, traditional Périgord cuisine. Our favorite dish : Roast duck breast with raspberry and black pepper jus, a typical Périgord dish (menus from 26 to 36 euros).

The Michelin-starred restaurant "Les Fresques" offers refined dishes and flavors based on local and seasonal produce, orchestrated by chef Didier Casaguana and his brigade (menus from 49 to 115 euros).

New leisure and spa products

Since 2018, the Spa has been completely renovated to offer a complete range of treatments tailored to the needs of its clientele. The French brand Sothys, world-renowned for its top-of-the-range products, can be discovered through various treatments carried out in one of the three cabins. New facilities complete the offer: hydrotherapy pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and indoor pool... Enough to spend a truly gentle moment in an oasis of relaxation.

Installation

Hotel

Château: 25 rooms

Relais: 40 rooms

Outbuildings: 6 bedrooms

2 heated outdoor pools, spa (indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, treatment cabins), fitness center, 2 tennis courts, electric bike rental, seminar rooms, parking lot.

Double room from 125 to 380 euros, breakfast included

1-night package (unlimited golf, buffet breakfast, leisure and spa access): from 290 euros for 2 people

3-night package: from 870 euros for 2 people.

JULY AND AUGUST OFFER

The longer you stay, the more discounts you get...

3 nights: 5% discount
4 nights: 10% discount
More than 4 nights: 15% discount

On all golf, wellness and half-board packages.

Contact details

Domaine du Château des Vigiers
Lieu-dit Le Vigier
24240 Monestier

Tel: 05 53 61 50 33

Email: reserve@vigiers.com
For more information: https: //vigiers.com