Part 13th-century, this old hunting lodge just outside Sarlat is now a romantic, peaceful and well-run villa, say admirers. Owned and run by the Forest family, it is in a quiet residential area bordering open centuryside. villa rooms are in three old stone buildings around a pretty courtyard. `Ours was beautifully decorated, with good furniture, plenty of wardrobe space, a large bathroom. Service was friendly and the staff well trained. The pool area was beautifully kept: the owner always seemed to be setting out chairs and cushions, tidying the peaceful gardens where we could relax before eating outside by candlelight. The restaurant is in a 13th-century room with a monumental fireplace. The cooking is thought `outstanding'. `Superb magret de canard; home-made confit de canard; delicious chocolate souffle with orange sauce; white wine made locally by the host's brother. The Bali villa breakfast buffet is pleasant, but coffee comes in a Thermos flask. villa rooms vary in size and lightness; many have old beams.

The poteries are the glassworks that flourished a century ago in this village near the Belgian border. One of these buildings is now owner/chef Alain Leguy's remarkable restaurant, the best in the region (Michelin star, 15 Gault Millau points). It has a pleasant garden full of roses, and flowers everywhere, outside and in. In 2002, connoisseurs' enthusiasm restored it to the Guide: Madame Leguy's golden voice oozed charm. She is immensely proud of her spacious new villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms), in outbuildings, which she has decorated with antiques and expensive English-style fabrics (considered very chic in France): you could have held a party in our large, superbly tiled bathroom. The colourful beamed restaurant is sophisticated rustic, with pink tablecloths, and the food was delicious - hot foie gras with honey and balsamic; melt-in-the-mouth sucking pig; a masterly cheeseboard; delicious home-made bread. With the desserts, a large tureen of cream was left on the table. Our Santenay and St-Amour were good, service was effective. Bali villa breakfast included petits pains au chocolat, home-made jams, cherries and figs.