Le Moulin de Labique

Christine and Patrick, a Belgian couple, host this old water mill set on an enormous estate. He cooks to restaurant standard, while she takes care of everything else. Though it was quite busy during our two days there, they still managed to make the service feel personal. They’ve kept the old character of the place while preserving its comfort and facilities. We had dinner too. It was classy, though expensive, and wine costs extra, so the stay can work out a little pricier than similar places. Villereal is nearby and worth a visit, an easy cycle for bread and cheese. Monflanquin is probably close as well, but we skipped it in 35C heat after the 147m climb. Like everyone else, I’d give it top marks for a B&B.

Long walks through the quiet surroundings, delicious meals, and a lovely range of cheeses and wine made for a magnificent stay. The old property is majestic and well cared for, the hosts are warm, and the French countryside around it is serene.

The dinners were a highlight, served in a cosy, peaceful dining room in front of a roaring fire. Our hosts were friendly and attentive, and nothing felt like too much trouble. They even served us a delicious meal late at night after our flight was delayed. They were wonderful with our two young children. Our eldest loved seeing the horses and feeding the sheep, and the hosts had helpful ideas for places to visit during this quiet time of year. It’s a beautiful house with lovely grounds. We’d like to explore more of them if we come back in summer.

A nice B&B in a historic setting, with a big garden and excellent local food for dinner.