La Maison Du Notaire Royal

Pierre-Henri and Diane did so much to make us feel welcome. Diane brought cushions for our garden picnic, and later offered to heat water for tea. Pierre-Henri loves the country and was happy to help plan our days. Thanks to his suggestions, we found several wonderful places we wouldn’t have come across in a guidebook. He also helped us find restaurants for Sunday and Monday nights, which can be a challenge in France. The house has a fascinating history, and we really enjoyed hearing about it. Our family room was spread over two floors, giving us some space and privacy. The private garden was lovely for picnic lunches. Breakfast was simple but very nice, with fresh croissants and very good hot coffee, served in a lovely room. The location is fabulous, in the old part of Sarlat, with easy car access and a free parking lot nearby. We stayed four nights, which wasn’t nearly enough. There’s so much to do in this amazing part of France, and this was a wonderful home base.

The owner gives you a free, engaging history lesson about the place when you arrive. Staying here feels like stepping 400 years back in time, with charming, spacious rooms in the heart of the medieval city. There’s parking on the property, and breakfast is a nice continental spread.

The location was amazing, and the owner told us about the building’s history. We slept very well, and breakfast was better than I expected. It’s an old place, so it creaks and feels a bit worn, but it has lots of charm. The bathroom has been renovated. The terrace was the one downside. It was dirty and being used to dry laundry, so we couldn’t comfortably use it.

I missed my train by accident, and the owner, Pierre, generously drove me to a different station that was actually a shortcut for my trip. I was so fortunate to stay in this cosy mansion, with its history and wonderful caretakers. The beds were cosy, breakfast was delicious, and the caretakers really looked after their guests. I highly recommend staying here. Home sweet home!