La Mirabelle-Casteil Country House

The atmosphere, food, wine and service all fit together beautifully here. We left smiling, and if you find yourself in this part of France, book a table and see for yourself.

We booked lunch for four at the last minute, including one vegetarian. What a lovely place: everyone was welcoming and friendly, and the food was exceptional. The owners were a delight, with fascinating stories about how they came to live in this tiny French village.

We spotted the small hotel and restaurant while walking past its pretty garden. The menu persuaded us to book a table for that evening, and what a treat it was. There were only 2 choices per course, so we tried every dish. Everything was beautifully presented and cooked, with colours, textures and flavours that worked perfectly together. Olga worked her magic in the kitchen while Richard looked after the front of house. His stories about his restaurant life in London added something special. We had a lovely time and would return if we're back in the region. Highly recommended if you're nearby.

While sorting through my pictures from 2 years ago, I was reminded of our one-night stay here. It was the most welcoming, relaxed stop on our 2-week trip through the Pyrenees. The owners put their hearts into the place, and over that evening and morning we got a real sense of family. It's right at the trailhead for the monastery, with enough advanced trails to keep a keen hiker busy for half a week. There's lots of space, and even if you arrive late, they'll make sure you can get fed, giving you a buzz so you have a chance to put in an order. We got back from the long trip to a full inbox and never managed to review the hotel on hotels.com. I'm relieved I finally got to say thank you for making the stay memorable. Little Spanish ginger kitty must be all grown up by now :-)