Le Clos de la Boëtie ★★★★★

Staying in La Clos de la Boëtie you really feel part of Sarlat’s history. Antique furniture handed down through the generations, mixes with sumptuous fabrics to make you feel at home, only in this version of reality where your home has Louis XV armchairs, marble fireplaces, a lovely secluded garden and a Spa. With the charms of Sarlat literally on your doorstep, there’s no excuse not to explore.

Inhabited since Gallo-Roman times, it’s a beautiful medieval town. Go for a stroll down the pedestrianised Rue de la République, which runs the length of the old town, to get your bearings. Then walk down Rue des Consuls ticking off 16th century hotel de Mirandol, and 14th century hotel Plamon as you go. If you’re feeling peckish, stop by the covered market at Eglise Saint-Marie and barter for regional delicacies - look out for truffles. Place de la Liberté, surrounded by lovely buildings – many of them housing restaurants, is a good place to stop for lunch. You might even be able to enjoy a view of the Roman Gothic Cathedral’s bell tower as you eat. Slightly further afield and well worth a visit is the Village de la Roque Gageac, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, with its cream-coloured houses winding along the Dordogne; or the Château de Beynac, a medieval castle perched on a cliff above the village of the same name.

The hotel feels wonderfully welcoming after having spent the day strolling through Sarlat or exploring the countryside of the Dordogne or Vezère valleys. Our Prestige room is perfectly designed for relaxation. I could curl up in an armchair with a good book, or take a short nap on the chaise longue of our private terrace. There are 11 bedrooms in total and each one is named after one of the castles in the region, reminding you that this area is steeped in history. Each has its own character as four-poster beds, wooden beams, and stained glass windows mix with the modern comforts of TV, Wi-Fi and mini-bar. Our bathroom meanwhile has a Jacuzzi bath, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. For complete and total relaxation though, nothing can beat the Spa. Swim a few lengths in the heated indoor pool, or seek refuge in one of the massage cabins and let expert hands lead you to a state of total wellbeing.

What better way to round off the day than to spend the evening sampling the region’s gastronomic delights? Start at the hotel’s bar with evening aperitifs. The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant but this is France and there is no shortage of good places to eat; the bar staff or concierge service will be happy to supply you with recommendations. The only thing left after that is to retire to our room, looking forward to tomorrow morning’s breakfast in bed, or on our terrace if the weather is fine. It’s a feast of fresh fruit, juice, coffee and viennoiserie. Or, if you prefer, an American style breakfast in the annex including indulgences like local cheeses and macaroons...whichever you choose, it will set you up perfectly for another day exploring this delightful part of France.