2 Best Hotels in Cahors, The Dordogne

Set on a rocky spur just outside town, the former home of the count-bishops of Cahors has older rooms in baronial splendor (ask for one of these), as well as slightly less appealing modern ones; others have a mix of French Moderne and medievalesque furniture that can be jarring, but the ambitious restaurant and great views make up for a lot of sins, as does the spa, outdoor pool, and sunning terrace. One of the best guest rooms is "Tour," with a clever ceiling that slides back to expose the turret. Duck, seafood, and truffles reign in La Duèze, the gastronomic dining room, where chef Clément Costes serves a contemporary gourmet "cuisine de terroir" equal to the wines from the estate's highly touted wine cellar (dinner only, closed Sunday and Monday), which you can enjoy on the lovely terrace on fine days. This talented chef also presides over the more casual but very good bistro, open daily for lunch and on Sunday and Monday for dinner as well. The hotel is happy to organize a tour and tastings of the estate's wines.

Friendly and attentive service, bright and spacious rooms, and comfy beds are just a few of the qualities that distinguish this unpretentious hotel, owned by the same family since 1911. Although some rooms could do with an update, they're spotlessly clean, air-conditioned, and check almost every box for a perfectly comfortable stay. On top of all that, the hotel's in-house restaurant is a local favorite and its convenient setting, a 15-minute walk from Cahor's old town, makes it a good choice for exploring the town.