January 11, 2012 - In the heart of the vineyards, the Château de Cîteaux is one of the oldest sites in Meursault, with a rich history dating back 10 centuries. The fascinating history began in 1098 when a small group of monks, led by Robert de Molesme, a former Benedictine abbot, arrived in Burgundy in pursuit of a serene and peaceful place to live a life of prayer and silence. Eudes 1st, Duke of Burgundy, donated land in Cîteaux to the monks, where they founded an abbey. The land was marshy and therefore not suitable for planting vines to make the wine for the sacrament. So the same year, Eudes 1st donated a small vineyard in
Meursault to Robert de Molesme.

The Cistercian monks built wine cellars, quickly honed their winemaking skills and developed throughout Burgundy. It was thanks to them that Burgundy wines gained worldwide renown. The monks remained at their site in Meursault until the French Revolution, when they were expelled. In 1792 it was sold off as a national asset. The buildings remained unchanged until 1865 when a new owner, Jules Bernard, purchased the estate in order to develop his wine merchant business. He built a magnificent chateau above the 12th century, vaulted, Cistercian cellars; a superb building with a slate roof, a lovely white stone surrounding balustrade, a majestic staircase leading to the first floor, spectacular reception rooms with huge stone and marble fireplaces,
sculpted bas reliefs, of which some golden, frescos, tapestries…

Following the phylloxera crisis that devastated France’s vineyards, Jules Bernard had to tear up the vines and cease his wine merchant activity, thus forcing him to sell the chateau.

In the 1900s, the Parisian Loubet family acquired the chateau, making it their second home and turning the former vineyard into an ornamental garden.

In 1995, the Bouzereau family, one of the oldest wine producing families
in Meursault, purchased the chateau and replanted the ‘Vieux Clos’ vineyard. Today, they continue to be the sole producers of the ‘Vieux Clos du Château de Cîteaux’.

In 2009, Jean and Corinne Garnier, of Burgundian origin, acquired the chateau and embarked on an enormous project of renovation. Regional artisans, specialists in the restoration of historic buildings, have undertaken the massive and meticulous task of totally renovating the
chateau to create a magnificent hotel and fruititherapy spa complex.

• 19 exceptional bedrooms in the heart of the vineyards of Meursault
• A convivial bistrot in the former chateau kitchens
• A gastronomic restaurant in a superb, historic reception room
• Swimming pool, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi
• 8 private rooms for personalised ‘fruititherapy’ treatments
• Relaxing, herb tea lounge
• Fitness room
• Private meeting rooms
• 12th century Cistercian cellars for private visits and tastings

An exceptional and authentic setting in the heart of the vineyards, a luxurious and cosy cocoon; the ideal place to relax and recharge the batteries in an ambience of serenity and well-being. The Cistercian monks may have left centuries ago, but they have handed down their tradition of peace and serenity…

Fruititherapy Wellbeing

An exciting, innovative beauty treatment concept, set in a magical and authentic spot in the heart of the vineyards and Burgundian nature. For a week’s cure, a weekend of relaxation and well-being or perhaps a restful night on the way to the Côte d’Azur or the Alps, our spa is the perfect place to unwind and daydream: with swimming pool, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, treatment rooms, relaxation lounge and fitness room. It is intimist whilst at the same time affording lovely views of the vineyards and the chateau park.

Everything is designed to create a feeling of total well-being.

Red berries and grapes have long been recognised for their highly antioxidant virtues. Combining technology and ancestral ‘savoir-faire’, the specialists at La Cueillette have developed Fruititherapy, using red fruits from Burgundy : blackcurrants, blackberries, grapes, cherries, strawberries, raspberries.

Fruititherapy is based on natural preparations of small, red berries from Burgundy, recognised not only for their antioxidant virtues but also for their very high content of vitamins and trace elements. Mixed with honey, grapeseed or blackcurrant oil, we propose a whole range of treatments: relaxation, fitness, detox, beauty, slimming, anti-age…The approach is global: care, relaxation, taste, enjoyable and healthy food, all to awaken the senses, rediscover fitness and natural beauty.

Our team of specialists comprises :
Physiotherapists, masseuses and beauticians - for personalized treatments based on Fruitherapy, both for women and men.

The different cures we propose very according to the season; they are unique and tailor-made to meet the needs of everybody.

La Cueillette proposes two restaurants:
Le Potager: the bistrot takes its name from the superb, original ‘potager’ or long stove, formerly used to keep dishes warm. Set in the former chateau kitchens, a huge, stone fireplace completes the warm and convivial ambience.
La Cueillette: the gastronomic restaurant is in a sumptuous setting dating back to the 19th century, with magnificent, original frescos, a superb, sculpted, white marble fireplace, period paintings and tapestries: an authentic reception room right out of the second half of the 19th century. A 300m² terrace with views over the chateau’s park, the
vineyards and Meursault’s church, lends itself perfectly to an unforgettable dinner.
The two restaurants are orchestrated by our Michelin starred chef Laurent Couturier, a man passionate about his work and about Burgundy, with its formidable, gastronomic richness. Laurent has made his mark in some of the finest restaurants in France. At a young age he experiments with a whole gamut of cuisine with Jacques Lameloise, the renowned 3 star chef in Chagny and one of the bastions of
gastronomy and ‘terroir’. He goes on to master the art of composition with Guy Savoy, Michel Rostang and at the Tour Rose. A style is born: a cuisine adapted to each season, subtly daring, inspired by a passion for herbs, decoctions, sauce reductions, cooking in two times…This culinary alchemist is awarded his first Michelin star at the Château d’Igé in 1997. In 2003, the famous Jean Ducloux chooses him as his successor at the restaurant Greuze in Tournus, a venerable institution of French grand cuisine and in 2008 he becomes head chef at the Château de Chailly. The chateau is proud to boast its own vegetable garden, which offers a large variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs, all organic and literally bringing the garden to your plate.
Don’t be surprised to see Laurent at the crack of dawn filling his basket with plants and herbs still glistening with morning dew. He carefully picks each plant to enhance and complete a dish that will delight your palate whilst minding your health.

In the heart of the chateau you’ll find 19 inviting bedrooms. Each one is light and airy with views over the park and the vineyards. Certain rooms open out onto the terrace, ideal for relaxing in total peace. Each bedroom is carefully designed whilst respecting the historical nature of the chateau. The decor is simple and refined, creating an ambience of serenity and well-being, at one with nature. Each room is quite naturally equipped with all the mod cons.

Private rooms within the chateau are perfect for business meetings and small seminars or for special, private lunches and dinners. At only 10 minutes from the A6 motorway, the chateau is easily accessible from Paris, Lyon, Geneva…

One of the oldest cellars in Burgundy:
- private visits and exclusive wine tastings.
- for Burgundy wine lovers, the chance to reserve an exclusive cellar space in the chateau for your private collection.

In the heart of the famous vineyards of Burgundy and only 10 minutes from Beaune, La Cueillette is a must, as a destination in its own right and as a base from which to discover the richness and beauty of the region. The chateau proposes private and exclusive wine tastings in its historic
cellars, hosted by local wine producers and passionate historians. Guided walks allow you to discover the richness of the fauna and flora, through the vineyards and the surrounding hills. La Cueillette has some 20 bikes to allow guests to discover the bicycle park or join the ‘Voie Verte’ cycle track with one of our guides. You can easily discover the famous vineyards and villages of the Côte de Beaune,
starting right at the foot of the chateau. Visit the famous Château du Clos de Vougeot with its amazing, old wine presses built by the Cistercian monks. Discover Beaune, capital of the vineyards of Burgundy, its Hôtel-Dieu of
worldwide renown and the market twice a week. Take the Route des Grands Crus wine road to Dijon, former capital of
the Burgundy Dukes, with its old town, medieval streets, the Ducal Palace, the Fine Arts Museum, the Notre-Dame church with its famous sculpted owl, Dijon’s emblem and the market three times a week. The region has a rich history of abbeys and chateaus open for visits: Cîteaux, Fontenay, Cluny, Vézelay, Rochepot, Cormatin, Commarin,
Bussy Rabutin, Châteauneuf-en-Auxois.
Some Festivals:
Saint Vincent Tournante – January
Festival du Film Policier de Beaune– March/April
Festival International de l’Opéra Baroque de Beaune – July
Festival Musical de Bach à Bacchus à Meursault - July
Festival de Jazz à Beaune – September
Vente des vins des Hospices de Beaune – November
Weekend Beaune Blues Boogie – December

Access to La Cueillette:
By train: 10 minutes from Beaune TGV train station
By road : 10 minutes from exit 24.1 of the A6 motorway
By plane: Paris CDG 3h
Lyon 1h30
Geneva 2h
Dijon (certain destinations) 40 minutes
By helicopter: by request with reception

CHÂTEAU DE CÎTEAUX,
21190 MEURSAULT, BURGUNDY FRANCE
www.lacueillette.com