Logis de la Cadène — Restaurant in Libourne

This 18th century house is situated at the bottom of one of the classic (perhaps famous) steep cobblestoned streets/tertres for which St Emilion is well known.||||With just 5 rooms to choose from we chose room 1985, the smallest of the bunch (23 m2) – and it was everything we needed. The room is split almost exactly in half, with the bathroom being about the same size as the bedroom. Although the quarters were perhaps a bit tight (rather, cozy) it was perfect for a short 3-day stay. ||||Room 1985 has a beautiful view of the city and the Tour du Roy - an historical landmark from the 13th century that is renowned for the Jurade celebrations that take place in June and September (in September to mark the beginning of the Harvest), which, just by coincidence, happened to be underway on our arrival – kind of magical timing and a nice welcoming to this medieval village! The in-room Nespresso machine in the room was greatly appreciated.||||The bathroom had plenty of natural light via it’s 2 large windows and included both a walk-in shower and gorgeous free-standing soaker tub – the towels were plush and the robes like new. The Nuxe amenities (including body lotion!) were so nice to have.||||The included continental breakfast was just right – to be able to have a cappuccino with it was perfect (in fact, it was the best cappuccino we had in France!).||||Service was both exceptional and personable. Dining recommendations (including at L’Envers du Décor, where we spent a very memorable evening) were excellent.||||The highlight meal of our 3-week trip throughout various parts of France was here, at their Michelin-star restaurant of the same name. We went all-in and selected the “Inspiration Menu” with wine pairing (courses included imperial shrimps, tuna, lobster, sole (the best we’ve ever tasted!), squab, a cheese selection, and 2 desserts – first plum followed by fig for the finale). In September the weather was lovely, and we enjoyed dinner outside on their covered terrace which opens to a small, pedestrianized courtyard. Very romantic. Book well in advance as it is popular (with locals and tourists alike). We’ve read that it may well be the most praised restaurant in St Emilion ...||||A few (minor) opportunities for improvement:||||- There was a plastic pad of some sort between the mattress and the sheets which took away from what would otherwise have been a very luxurious bed (was looking forward to crawling under the covers of what appeared to be a very inviting bed ... but then could feel and hear the plastic underneath the sheets – a bit odd).||- Bedside lights – there is only 1 switch for both (if one person stays up to read and the switch is on the other side of the bed it is a little inconvenient) – very minor point.||||Overall, a very comfortable and charming room with a nice blend of old and new in a stellar location. The vibe here is phenomenal – we loved it!||If you have a vehicle there is private, secure (hotel-owned/operated) parking nearby (about 5-to-10-minute walk) for 15 euros/day.||||To all the staff at Logis de la Cadène – thank you for your hospitality, for your beautiful accommodations, and for making our stay special.||||We highly recommend and plan to return.||||A few travel tips:||||- If you are looking for things to do, we recommend the 1-hour underground tour that includes the 12th-century Monolithic church – book via the tourist office. This was an amazing site to see (only possible via a guided tour), and it was fascinating to learn that more is being discovered / uncovered.||- Wear great walking shoes / sneakers – a must for the (very!) steep cobblestoned streets.||- Consider a day trip to Cognac. While maybe off the radar as the Bordeaux region is all about the wine (which we love!), a trip to Cognac with a tour and tasting at the Hennessy factory, though off the beaten path for us, was an excellent experience and very sleek...

This 18th century house is situated at the bottom of one of the classic (perhaps famous) steep cobblestoned streets/tertres for which St Emilion is well known.||||With just 5 rooms to choose from we chose room 1985, the smallest of the bunch (23 m2) – and it was everything we needed. The room is split almost exactly in half, with the bathroom being about the same size as the bedroom. Although the quarters were perhaps a bit tight (rather, cozy) it was perfect for a short 3-day stay. ||||Room 1985 has a beautiful view of the city and the Tour du Roy - an historical landmark from the 13th century that is renowned for the Jurade celebrations that take place in June and September (in September to mark the beginning of the Harvest), which, just by coincidence, happened to be underway on our arrival – kind of magical timing and a nice welcoming to this medieval village! The in-room Nespresso machine in the room was greatly appreciated.||||The bathroom had plenty of natural light via it’s 2 large windows and included both a walk-in shower and gorgeous free-standing soaker tub – the towels were plush and the robes like new. The Nuxe amenities (including body lotion!) were so nice to have.||||The included continental breakfast was just right – to be able to have a cappuccino with it was perfect (in fact, it was the best cappuccino we had in France!).||||Service was both exceptional and personable. Dining recommendations (including at L’Envers du Décor, where we spent a very memorable evening) were excellent.||||The highlight meal of our 3-week trip throughout various parts of France was here, at their Michelin-star restaurant of the same name. We went all-in and selected the “Inspiration Menu” with wine pairing (courses included imperial shrimps, tuna, lobster, sole (the best we’ve ever tasted!), squab, a cheese selection, and 2 desserts – first plum followed by fig for the finale). In September the weather was lovely, and we enjoyed dinner outside on their covered terrace which opens to a small, pedestrianized courtyard. Very romantic. Book well in advance as it is popular (with locals and tourists alike). We’ve read that it may well be the most praised restaurant in St Emilion ...||||A few (minor) opportunities for improvement:||||- There was a plastic pad of some sort between the mattress and the sheets which took away from what would otherwise have been a very luxurious bed (was looking forward to crawling under the covers of what appeared to be a very inviting bed ... but then could feel and hear the plastic underneath the sheets – a bit odd).||- Bedside lights – there is only 1 switch for both (if one person stays up to read and the switch is on the other side of the bed it is a little inconvenient) – very minor point.||||Overall, a very comfortable and charming room with a nice blend of old and new in a stellar location. The vibe here is phenomenal – we loved it!||If you have a vehicle there is private, secure (hotel-owned/operated) parking nearby (about 5-to-10-minute walk) for 15 euros/day.||||To all the staff at Logis de la Cadène – thank you for your hospitality, for your beautiful accommodations, and for making our stay special.||||We highly recommend and plan to return.||||A few travel tips:||||- If you are looking for things to do, we recommend the 1-hour underground tour that includes the 12th-century Monolithic church – book via the tourist office. This was an amazing site to see (only possible via a guided tour), and it was fascinating to learn that more is being discovered / uncovered.||- Wear great walking shoes / sneakers – a must for the (very!) steep cobblestoned streets.||- Consider a day trip to Cognac. While maybe off the radar as the Bordeaux region is all about the wine (which we love!), a trip to Cognac with a tour and tasting at the Hennessy factory, though off the beaten path for us, was an excellent experience and very sleek...

We had high expectations for our dinner at Logis de la Cadène, given its Michelin star and reputation as one of the premier dining destinations in Saint-Émilion. The setting itself is lovely — a charming, historic building in the heart of the village, with a warm and elegant atmosphere that sets the stage beautifully. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not quite live up to what we had hoped for.

The food was, frankly, just so-and-so. While the plating was beautiful and clearly crafted with care, the flavors and execution felt underwhelming and somewhat forgettable, especially when judged against the high standard you expect from a Michelin-starred kitchen. Nothing we tasted stood out as exceptional, and some dishes even felt flat in terms of seasoning and creativity.

What really disappointed us, though, was the level of service. In a restaurant of this caliber, the service should be attentive, polished, and almost intuitive — making you feel cared for without being intrusive. Instead, it felt inconsistent and inattentive, with long waits between courses, staff who seemed rushed or distracted, and little of the warmth or finesse you expect from fine dining. This lack of attention to detail in the service really took away from the experience.

On a positive note, the sommelier was excellent. He was knowledgeable, personable, and made thoughtful recommendations that complemented the meal well. His expertise and approach were a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing evening.

All in all, the meal felt overpriced for what was delivered — both in terms of the food and the experience. A Michelin star carries a promise of excellence, and unfortunately, Logis de la Cadène fell short of that promise for us. With more care in the kitchen and, above all, much more attentive and polished service, it could truly shine. But as it is now, it feels more like you’re paying for the name and the setting rather than for a truly memorable...