Le Grand Ecuyer, Cordes sur Ciel - CLOSED
May 2nd, 2010, 08:20 AM
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Le Grand Ecuyer, Cordes sur Ciel - CLOSED
I was just notified by Le Grand Ecuyer in Cordes sur Ciel that they are closed for the summer and will be returning my deposit for the two nights I had booked, May 23 and May 24. At this late date, I'm not sure where to look for another place. I was planning on doing a car tour of little towns that Stu Dudley recommended.
Did not want to stay in Albi, the next largest town, because I was told Sunday and Monday virtually everything will be closed. Should I look in one of the smaller towns or move on to another area? Not sure anything I would really like (Something with a wonderful valley view) would be available. All my other trip plans are set. Next stop after Cordes is Rocamadour and then on to Sarlat with a quick look-see in St. Cirq Lapopie on the way.
Le Grand Ecuyer suggested calling The Hostellerie du Vieux Cordes, but I am sure they told everyone else staying at their place the same information, and it doesn't sound like they have many rooms with valley views. if I can get some info on The Hostellerie or another hotel it would be much appreciated.
Need to go out now but will check back later today.
Thanks,
MJOY
Did not want to stay in Albi, the next largest town, because I was told Sunday and Monday virtually everything will be closed. Should I look in one of the smaller towns or move on to another area? Not sure anything I would really like (Something with a wonderful valley view) would be available. All my other trip plans are set. Next stop after Cordes is Rocamadour and then on to Sarlat with a quick look-see in St. Cirq Lapopie on the way.
Le Grand Ecuyer suggested calling The Hostellerie du Vieux Cordes, but I am sure they told everyone else staying at their place the same information, and it doesn't sound like they have many rooms with valley views. if I can get some info on The Hostellerie or another hotel it would be much appreciated.
Need to go out now but will check back later today.
Thanks,
MJOY
May 2nd, 2010, 09:10 AM
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We've dined at the Hostellerie les Jardins des Thermes in Feneyrols twice - excellent food and nice interior. However, we've never stayed there. Very close to Cordes. Good access to the Sunday market at St Antonin Noble Val. Not as elegent as le Grand Ecuyer.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
May 2nd, 2010, 09:19 AM
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Looks like Vieux Cordes is owned by the same chef/proprietor as the Grand Ecuyer
http://www.thuries.fr/uk/index.php
I would reserve there ASAP.
Stu Dudley
http://www.thuries.fr/uk/index.php
I would reserve there ASAP.
Stu Dudley
May 2nd, 2010, 01:42 PM
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The Hostellerie de Vieux Cordes is owned by Yves Thuries who also owns Le Grand Ecuyer. I was in Cordes in 2007 and had lunch at the Hostellerie de Vieux Cordes, along with the members of the Brazilian National Cycling Team.. There is a lovely 200 year old wisteria tree in the dining area. As I recall the food was very good.. I didn't stay the night as I was staying near Cahors, but I expect that the rooms are quite nice...
May 2nd, 2010, 03:55 PM
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mjoy - May 2, 2010 7:54 p.m.
Thanks StCirq, Stu and GraceJoan for your responses.
I was able to make a reservation with Vieux Cordes for a room with a valley view. It looks like I got the last room for those two days. Don't know anything about the place, such as parking availability or location compared to Le Grand Ecuyer, but I feel fortunate that I got the room. I hope I don't get any other last minute cancellations. (This is my first time making my own reservations overseas.) I thought once you put money down you're more or less guaranteed the room. I guess anything can happen.
Thanks again for your advice.
mjoy
Thanks StCirq, Stu and GraceJoan for your responses.
I was able to make a reservation with Vieux Cordes for a room with a valley view. It looks like I got the last room for those two days. Don't know anything about the place, such as parking availability or location compared to Le Grand Ecuyer, but I feel fortunate that I got the room. I hope I don't get any other last minute cancellations. (This is my first time making my own reservations overseas.) I thought once you put money down you're more or less guaranteed the room. I guess anything can happen.
Thanks again for your advice.
mjoy
May 2nd, 2010, 04:04 PM
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You'll have to navigate your way up to the Vieux Cordes (good luck with that), get a parking voucher and a useless hand-drawn map, and then find your way to the parking spot. Be prepared for a challenge. Since it's the same owners, I suspect it's the same parking routine as for Le Grand Ecuyer.
Oh, and the last time I was in Cordes and parked in the lower town I absolutely could not figure out how to use the parking meters - a nice French man finally told me I had to punch my license plate number into the meter. Go figure.
Oh, and watch out for the side streets with
"bornes" on them - those metal things that rise up out of the street and strip the bottom of your car. We made a wrong turn trying to follow the Vieux Cordes' directions to parking and almost destroyed our van.
I think we spent about half our time in Cordes dealing with parking issues.
Oh, and the last time I was in Cordes and parked in the lower town I absolutely could not figure out how to use the parking meters - a nice French man finally told me I had to punch my license plate number into the meter. Go figure.
Oh, and watch out for the side streets with
"bornes" on them - those metal things that rise up out of the street and strip the bottom of your car. We made a wrong turn trying to follow the Vieux Cordes' directions to parking and almost destroyed our van.
I think we spent about half our time in Cordes dealing with parking issues.
May 4th, 2010, 02:55 PM
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mjoy May 4, '10 6:54 p.m.
I guess it's not meant to be staying in Cordes. I just received a canecllation of my reservation at Hostellerie du Vieux Cordes. I went through the website and received a confirmation via e-mail on Sunday May 2nd. This is a reservation for May 23 and 24, a Sunday and Monday, presumably very quiet days.
Now what? I'm running out of ideas. I will be coming from Toulouse and heading to Rocamadour via car. Should I try the St. Cirq area? I was hoping to see beautiful views of the valley and cute little towns in the area.
Crestfallen over Cordes.
mjoy
I guess it's not meant to be staying in Cordes. I just received a canecllation of my reservation at Hostellerie du Vieux Cordes. I went through the website and received a confirmation via e-mail on Sunday May 2nd. This is a reservation for May 23 and 24, a Sunday and Monday, presumably very quiet days.
Now what? I'm running out of ideas. I will be coming from Toulouse and heading to Rocamadour via car. Should I try the St. Cirq area? I was hoping to see beautiful views of the valley and cute little towns in the area.
Crestfallen over Cordes.
mjoy
May 4th, 2010, 03:25 PM
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Mjoy:
I have stayed 3 times at Claude Marco, just outside of Cahors.
www.restaurantmarco.com
Claude Marco has 5 rooms, all of which are facing a pool and vineyards. The dining room is a vaulted, golden stone cave; intimate seating for about 30 people. The restaurant also has one Michelin star.
Hope it works out, regardless of where you stay.
I have stayed 3 times at Claude Marco, just outside of Cahors.
www.restaurantmarco.com
Claude Marco has 5 rooms, all of which are facing a pool and vineyards. The dining room is a vaulted, golden stone cave; intimate seating for about 30 people. The restaurant also has one Michelin star.
Hope it works out, regardless of where you stay.
May 4th, 2010, 03:55 PM
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mjoy: Can you just stay in Albi instead? While some shops may be closed, the cathedral and Toulouse-Latrec museum will still be open and then you can drive to Cordes in the morning before driving up to Rocamadour (though that does make for a slightly longer day).
Are you staying overnight in Rocamadour? If so, you could just drive straight there from Toulouse and stay 2 nights instead of one, seeing the villages just north of it in a loop one day.
Otherwise, you could always tack on a night to Sarlat (probably never a bad idea) and see Rocamadour as a day trip from there.
Stu, StCirq and the other experts will correct me if I'm wrong, but there seem to be a lot of villages in the Lot and Dordogne that will offer those "beautiful views of the valley and cute little towns," so you may not end up missing Cordes as much as you think if you decide to take another route.
Good luck!
Are you staying overnight in Rocamadour? If so, you could just drive straight there from Toulouse and stay 2 nights instead of one, seeing the villages just north of it in a loop one day.
Otherwise, you could always tack on a night to Sarlat (probably never a bad idea) and see Rocamadour as a day trip from there.
Stu, StCirq and the other experts will correct me if I'm wrong, but there seem to be a lot of villages in the Lot and Dordogne that will offer those "beautiful views of the valley and cute little towns," so you may not end up missing Cordes as much as you think if you decide to take another route.
Good luck!
May 4th, 2010, 04:06 PM
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Places like Albi are pretty dead & forlorn when shops are closed. We were there over lunch once - and even with a few business people going & coming - it was dead & forlorn when the shops were all shuttered-up. Super tourist villages like Cordes have more stuff open on Sundays & Mondays. Many of the small villages around Cordes really don't even have much commerce at all. I would choose to stay in Cordes & visit Albi on Monday evening or Tuesday.
Lots of people visiting this region, it seems. I have 2 non-Fodors friends whom I'm helping develop a plan for visiting this area.
Stu Dudley
Lots of people visiting this region, it seems. I have 2 non-Fodors friends whom I'm helping develop a plan for visiting this area.
Stu Dudley
May 4th, 2010, 07:24 PM
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sap - Thanks for your suggestion, but I am already staying in the Rocamadour area for two nights, Domme two nights and Sarlat five nights. I was hoping to see a little of the Lot Valley, possibly stopping by Peche Merle or St Cirq area after leaving Cordes and the little towns in that area. originally was planning to stay in St Cirq but changed my mind when Stu and/or StCirq mentioned how touristy it was.
It was suggested by the Hostellerie du Vieux Cordes to check out Chateau de Salettes in Gaillac. I'll have to see how close this is to Cordes as compared to say Cahors. I haven't researched Gaillac yet.
Langcraft - what did you do in the Cahors area? I'll definitely check out the Claude Marco. Thanks.
It's getting late so I'll sign off for now and start fresh tomorrow a.m.
Thanks for everyone's help.
It was suggested by the Hostellerie du Vieux Cordes to check out Chateau de Salettes in Gaillac. I'll have to see how close this is to Cordes as compared to say Cahors. I haven't researched Gaillac yet.
Langcraft - what did you do in the Cahors area? I'll definitely check out the Claude Marco. Thanks.
It's getting late so I'll sign off for now and start fresh tomorrow a.m.
Thanks for everyone's help.
May 5th, 2010, 07:29 AM
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Mjoy:
Typically I spent about 4 days or so in Cahors, using it as a base for the Lot and Cele valleys, as well as excursions into Perigord. 45 minutes northeast of Cahors is Figeac, a charming town on the banks of the Cele river and birthplace of Jean Francois Champollion; the man responsable for deciphering the Rosetta Stone. Rocamadour is about a 45 min drive north of Cahors and I have even ventured as far as Sarlat and the Lascaux caves using Cahors as a base..
Typically I spent about 4 days or so in Cahors, using it as a base for the Lot and Cele valleys, as well as excursions into Perigord. 45 minutes northeast of Cahors is Figeac, a charming town on the banks of the Cele river and birthplace of Jean Francois Champollion; the man responsable for deciphering the Rosetta Stone. Rocamadour is about a 45 min drive north of Cahors and I have even ventured as far as Sarlat and the Lascaux caves using Cahors as a base..
May 5th, 2010, 07:34 AM
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Mjoy:
One more thing to note.. if you do go to Gaillac, be sure to dry the wines. The red wines of Gaillac are made predominately from the Braucol and Duras grapes. The vineyards of Gaillac have existed since Roman times. I favor the reds but Gaillac also produces sparkling whites and roses as well still whites.
One more thing to note.. if you do go to Gaillac, be sure to dry the wines. The red wines of Gaillac are made predominately from the Braucol and Duras grapes. The vineyards of Gaillac have existed since Roman times. I favor the reds but Gaillac also produces sparkling whites and roses as well still whites.
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