THE BOUTIQUE EXPERIENCE
WHERE TIME BEHAVES
Rooms . Private Residences . Retreats . Food . Art . Wine . Fun
Le 1500 is an independently owned boutique hotel created and operated by internationally renowned artist, Michael F Rumsby and his husband, Lee, who spent two decades managing some of the world's finest luxury hotels. Easily accessible from Bordeaux, Toulouse and Bergerac, surrounded by vineyards, and only a short journey from St Emilion, Medoc and some of the world's finest wineries, the property offers guests a choice of beautifully appointed private residences or individual rooms. We pride ourselves on our superb hospitality, offering our guests a truly bespoke experience. As guests of Le 1500, you will enjoy beautiful accommodation, a highly creative restaurant, gym, private outdoor cinema, a poolside kitchen & bar and a series of secluded garden areas where you can hide away from the world beyond.
From April to December we offer a diverse range of retreat packages for art, wine and food lovers as well as yoga, nutrition and healing retreats.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE: WE TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO ENSURE THAT OUR PROPERTY IS VIRUS FREE AND ADHERE STRICTLY TO ALL GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES.
About Le 1500
Accommodation
Originally a prominent tower built as part of the small complex of buildings that made up the Chateau de Saussignac, Le 1500 is today a collection of historic buildings, some dating back to the C12th, situated in the heart of Saussignac, a hilltop village on the southerly banks of the River Dordogne in South West France. The property is eclectic and authentic - but above all, is a beautiful marriage of contemporary design and medieval history where the guest experience is always top of the agenda.
The perfect location for a long weekend or an extended vacation, we're surrounded by vineyards, rolling countryside and rivers. Fly to Bergerac (20 minutes), Bordeaux (90 minutes), Toulouse (120 minutes) or jump in the car or ride the train (Gardonne station is 5 minutes) to visit us.
We offer accommodation, a restaurant, retreats and other events. You'll find a very warm welcome from your hosts, Michael and Lee McNeal-Rumsby with unreserved attention to every detail, ensuring that you enjoy a highly tailored stay in Saussignac.
Book a room. Book a residence. Book the whole place. We have eight rooms, including two large residences - all of which can be booked in any combination to suit your needs.
At Le 1500, each of our individual rooms and private residences tells a story. Full of period features, they are beautifully designed in a simple style, each with ensuite bathroom, providing the utmost comfort for an excellent stay.
Travelling to Le 1500
Le Café 1500
Food and wine are at the heart of Le 1500. The scrumptious restaurant, Le Café 1500, serves freshly prepared, largely organic dishes in a beautifully rustic setting either indoors or outside on one of the shaded terraces. The menu varies each day and has become a go to option for vegetarian and vegan foodies with options always available for various dietary requirements.
We aim to be a zero-waste establishment and, as such, only accept reservations in advance. Dishes are prepared on the day of service and absolutely nothing comes out of the freezer.
We are delighted to prepare private dinners for our residents throughout the year. The restaurant is open to the public from June to October.
Events and Retreats
We have a rolling calendar of wonderful events throughout the year, some weekly, some daily and all offering a unique, bespoke experience for our guests.
We offer a range of interesting Retreats and Experiences throughout the year focussing, in particular, on painting, wine, food or all three.
In 2022 we have added a number of retreats aimed at improving well-being - these include, yoga, energy healing, meditation and massage.
Club 1500
Fine Art at Le 1500
This year you don't need to stay with us to experience Le 1500. Join us throughout the week for Club Days by the pool. You'll have access to our gym and pool along with our Poolside Bar and healthy snack menu. Changing facilities, shower room and cloakroom are available.
A variety of packages catering to specific needs are available, starting from €25. Just message us to organise a package that suits your needs.
Pool Party & BBQ
Proprietor, Michael F Rumsby FRSA, is an internationally renowned artist with work in galleries and private collections around the world. He paints out of his studio at Le 1500 and informally exhibits his work around the property.
Le 1500 aims to promote local artists including painters, sculptors, photographers and local artisans. It runs four art retreats per year and many art related social events. Michael also invites a small group of art enthusiasts to join him each Monday to paint as part of his Community Art Programme.
Our Story
Saturday afternoons and evenings at Le 1500 are about chilling out, listening to music and enjoying a cocktail by the pool before easing your way into a very relaxed BBQ prepared to order from 19h00. We're open from 16h30 for poolside fun. Order your meat from the Chef and help yourself from the freshly prepared salad bar where you'll find plenty of choices of starter and main salads. Reservations Only.
Le 1500 is owned and operated by internationally renowned artist, Michael F Rumsby, and his husband, Lee. Michael's journey to Saussignac saw him spend more than two decades working in the corporate environment, 12 years of which was spent in Paris. He has travelled the world extensively and shares his infectious passion for people with Lee, who spent two decades managing some of the world's finest luxury hotels. Latterly, Lee was responsible for opening a series of major luxury hotels in the Middle East. They met in Dubai when Michael was exhibiting his polo paintings at the Emirate's annual British Polo Day event. Today, together, they bring a unique combination of experience and passion to the business they established in the heart of this previously sleepy village in the South West of France. Their route to getting here is far from ordinary.
The Story of The Tilly
Built in 2019 to replace a rather tumble down pergola that had been constructed by the previous owners, the Tilly is more than just a covered outdoor terrace. So much more. It's become the social hub of the outdoor space where guests can dine, relax with a drink, take coffee as the morning sun rises on the massive rattan sofa or watch a movie on the enormous cinema screen.
Why Tilly? The clue is in the beautiful white Portland stone sculpture of the sleeping goat that sits at the foot of the olive tree. In 2018 Lee and Mike volunteered at the ANIMAL AID UNLIMITED animal hospital in Udaipur, India. Whilst there they tended to a three-legged goat called Tilly and this experience stayed with them. On return to France they commissioned a local sculptor to create their version of Tilly the Goat, resting and at peace. Regular updates on Tilly's life are shared with Lee and Mike and guests can read Tilly's full story and make a contribution to the hospital should they wish.
Visit France in 2021
2020 was a write-off and 2021 has certainly got off to a slow start but our region - the newly named NOUVELLE AQUITAINE - still has a huge amount of local and internationally recognised events worth visiting in 2021. To mention just a few ...
Fete de la Musique - 21 June 2021 (Jazz Festival, Saussignac)
Le Mans Classic - July 2021 (Le Mans is the perfect overnight stop if you're headed south to Saussignac. We're 4.5 hours by autoroute - extend your trip and come to stay.
Carcassonne International Festival of Arts - 6-31 July (just a couple of hours further south east, Carcassonne is a very easy day trip from Le 1500 - enjoy music, theatre and dance with the backdrop of this medieval masterpiece of a city.
Bastille Day - 14 July (Fireworks in Bergerac on the river are not to be missed. Alternatively watch the Dordogne Valley light up from your base at Le 1500. Celebration Bastille Supper always created at Le Cafe 1500 on this French National Holiday).
St Emilion Jazz Festival - July (a happy mix of jazz notes resound on the ancestral limestones of the village, situated not 40 minutes from Le 1500, in a friendly atmosphere, all enhanced by exceptional wines)
"Highly recommended" - David and Scott, St Andrews
"Simple, innovative meals or tapas platters beautifully presented in this utterly charming place" - Gayle and Tim, Bergerac
"A wonderful oasis of colour and charming antiques" - Patrice and Julia, Nantes
"Something truly magical in Saussignac" - Tom and Jane, London
