Les Glycines ★★★★

This eco-friendly hotel, a member of the Châteaux & Hotels Collection, is tucked away in the little village of Les Eyzies de Tayac. Formerly an old coaching inn, it has a cheerful exterior of sunny coloured stone and white shutters and has been restored with taste and elegance. The kitchen garden evokes that wonderful French notion of terroir and the interiors bring to mind a country house. The bedrooms are all different, and are luxurious but not ostentatious. The palette of soft beiges, creams and ivory is lifted with hints of violet and pink and it sets off the antique furnishings beautifully. Our room had stunning views of the hotel grounds and was complete with flat screen TV with satellite channels, Wi-Fi, minibar and safe. The bathroom had a bath, perfect for relaxing after a long day in the outdoors. The Ecolodge – ideal for families or groups of friends - even comes with its own Nespresso machine.

Enjoy breakfast in your room or on the terrace, and then set off to discover the area. Les Eyzies de Tayac is famed for its prehistoric rock dwellings and caves rich in archaeological findings from as far back as the middle Palaeolithic era. That’s no surprise really considering it’s in the Vezere Valley which has nearly 150 prehistoric sites and 25 painted caves. You’re also just five minutes from historic Perigueux and twenty minutes from Sarlat. If you’re more a lover of the outdoors than a history buff then tennis, fishing, canoeing and hiking are all possible depending on the weather. Enjoy simple pleasures like borrowing one of the bicycles to explore the surroundings. Look for tiny fish in the streams, and let the majesty of an ancient oak tree ground you and make your troubles seem as tiny and fleeting as the little fish.

If you happen to be back at the hotel for lunch then The Bistro is the place to be. Find yourself one of the cushioned bench seats or curved wooden chairs in the cosy kitchen and watch lunch being prepared in front of you. Maybe you’ll be tempted by the home smoked salmon, or foie gras with chutney and grapes, all the while enjoying the views of the grounds through the large picture windows. If you’re done exploring the area, then the hotel offers plenty of options for relaxing. Spend some time in the Spa which is beautifully decorated in wood and mosaic. Take a dip in the heated 6 m pool with wave machine, or relax in the sauna or steam room before treating yourself to a massage treatment with essential oils. If the sound of a popping cork is more your cue for relaxation then head to the bar. It’s warm and cosy in soothing greys, purples and natural wood. Settle down in a plump armchair by the fire for a cup of something warm at tea-time, or pull up a pew at the sleek bar and peruse the extensive wine list and enjoy a glass of something chilled, perhaps accompanied by some caviar d’Eyzies.

Come the evening, enjoy the a la carte or the tasting menu in the 1862 Restaurant which is all soft greys, pinks and whites. Chef Eric Jung offers a menu based on local terroir using fresh, seasonal ingredients, many of which have come straight out of his kitchen garden. There’s even an entire menu based around truffles. Round off a perfect day with a glass of Armagnac in the bar and look forward to a peaceful night’s sleep, knowing that tomorrow more of the region’s treasures will be waiting to be discovered, just like the local truffles.