Dordogne Farmhouse

Following up on a Travel Section recommendation, we stayed at L’Auberge Du Noyer, 24260 Le Bugue, France. It is a restored 200-year-old farmhouse in the Dordogne region and is hosted by Paul and Jenny Dyer, formerly of London. The setting is gorgeous, in the middle of a hillside meadow. Breakfast is under the walnut tree in nice weather; dinner (five or six courses) is in the large front dining room, both meals prepared by the French chef. Our bedroom was charming, with Laura Ashley bedspread and modern bathroom. The restoration was completed without sacrificing the simplicity and beauty of the original architecture.

The locale is near the caves of the Dordogne Valley. Our hosts were very thoughtful in providing us with guidance as to the best places to visit, including a two-star restaurant (Centenaire) in nearby Les Eyzies. The Dordogne is a place of unlimited possibilities and beauty for the explorer (the towns and caves of Les Eyzies, Sarlat, Le Bugue, Saint Cirq Lapopie, Rocamadour). The cost (last summer) was 450 francs a day (about $75 U.S.), which included room with bath, breakfast and dinner for two, an unbelievable bargain.

KATHY RIGGLE

Claremont