Les Sources de Caudalie

In 1990, during an aerial journey above Bordeaux’s rolling vineyards, Florence and Daniel Cathiard were captivated by the timeless beauty of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, an 18th-century estate with deep viticultural roots. Trading in their high-profile business careers, the Cathiards embraced a new life—reviving the Grand Cru vineyard with a passion for excellence, sustainability, and authenticity.

While restoring the château, a remarkable discovery changed everything: a 540-meter-deep natural hot spring beneath the vines. Inspired, their daughter Mathilde Thomas co-founded Caudalie, launching the world’s first Vinothérapie® Spa. In 1999, this vision came full circle with the birth of Les Sources de Caudalie—a luxurious hotel and wellness destination immersed in vine and forest, just 15 minutes from Bordeaux.

🏨 The Hotel – A Village of French Elegance Among the Vines

Set like a secret hamlet amid the vineyards of Graves, Les Sources de Caudalie is a 5-star boutique hotel offering an artful fusion of rustic sophistication and modern indulgence.

Accommodations:

• 40 rooms and 9 suites, each designed by Florence Cathiard and her daughter Alice

• Inspired by the surrounding terroir, antiques, and contemporary art

• Many rooms offer views over the château, lake, or vineyards

Highlights:

• Eco-conscious architecture built from reclaimed local materials

• Heated outdoor pool, tranquil lake, orchard, and vegetable gardens

• Pet-friendly accommodations and family suites available

💆‍♀️ Vinothérapie® Spa – The Healing Power of the Vine

Bask in nature-powered rejuvenation at the Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa, fed by the estate’s natural spring and surrounded by serene gardens.

Signature offerings:

• Treatments using Caudalie’s exclusive grape-based skincare (polyphenols, resveratrol, viniferine)

• Barrel baths, crushed cabernet scrubs, and grape wrap rituals

• Heated indoor pool, hammam, jacuzzi, and relaxation lounge

• Yoga sessions, detox retreats, and tailored wellness programs

🍽 Culinary Excellence – From Garden to Grand Cru

Gastronomy is at the heart of the Les Sources experience, with two restaurants celebrating the bounty of the region:

• La Grand’Vigne – A Michelin-starred restaurant offering seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine inspired by 18th-century orangeries

• La Table du Lavoir – A cozy bistro with a wood-beamed ceiling and rustic fare made with ingredients from the estate’s organic kitchen garden

• Le Rouge Bar – Wine-forward small plates in an intimate setting

• La Tour des Cigares – A refined cigar lounge with rare Cognacs

• French Paradox Bar – Over 15,000 bottles, including verticals of Smith Haut Lafitte and other Bordeaux legends

Guests can also enjoy cooking classes, vineyard picnics, and wine & food pairing dinners.

🍷 Château Smith Haut Lafitte – A Grand Cru Classé Vineyard

One of Bordeaux’s most celebrated Graves estates, Château Smith Haut Lafitte stretches across 78 hectares, producing reds and whites of remarkable precision and elegance.

Key grape varieties:

• Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

• White: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon

Winemaking philosophy:

• 100% organic and biodynamic practices

• Horse plowing, homegrown compost, and satellite vineyard mapping

• Gravity-fed vinification and custom oak barrel aging in a breathtaking underground cellar

Wines:

• Château Smith Haut Lafitte (red and white Grand Cru Classé)

• Les Hauts de Smith

• Le Petit Haut Lafitte

• Château Cantelys

🍇 Immersive Wine Experiences

Guests are invited to explore the vineyard and château through curated and sensory-rich activities:

• Daily guided tours and tastings at Château Smith Haut Lafitte

• Wine workshops led by expert sommeliers every Saturday

• Blending classes to create your own Bordeaux cuvée

• E-bike and limousine tours through neighboring appellations (Pessac-Léognan, Saint-Émilion, Sauternes, Médoc)

💍 Events, Retreats & Romantic Escapes

With its fairy-tale setting, Les Sources de Caudalie is a dream destination for:

• Weddings and elopements in the vineyards or lakeside

• Elegant receptions in the Orangery or Le Salon des Empereurs

• Private dinners in the wine library or underground cellars

• Corporate retreats, wellness seminars, and team-building events

• Tailored services including event planning, floral décor, and gastronomic menus

🚲 Beyond the Vineyard – Nature, Culture & Discovery

• Explore nature trails through vineyards, forests, and gardens

• Visit local producers, from cheese farms to oyster beds in Arcachon

• Enjoy cultural excursions to Bordeaux, La Cité du Vin, or nearby castles

• Children’s activities and family adventures on the estate

📍 Location & Access

• Martillac, Bordeaux wine country

• 15 min from Bordeaux city center and Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport

• Easily accessible by car or private transfer

• On-site private parking and concierge support for local travel

✨ A Destination Like No Other

Les Sources de Caudalie is more than a hotel—it’s a philosophy of living well, where grapes nourish the body, wines tell stories of the land, and every detail honors Bordeaux’s terroir and elegance.

Whether for a restorative spa escape, a gastronomic retreat, or an immersive wine holiday, this is a place where luxury feels natural and time slows with every sip.