La Maison du Notaire Royal

First the location is fabulous, in the old part of Sarlat but with easy access by car and a nearby free parking lot. We had a family room over 2 floors so some nice privacy and space. The breakfast was simple but very nice-fresh croissants and very good hot coffee, served in a lovely room. There is a private garden which we used for picnic lunches. The house has a fascinating history which we really enjoyed hearing about. Pierre-Henri and Diane can’t do enough to make guests feel welcome. When we were picnicking in the garden Diane brought out cushions for the chairs, and later offered to heat up water for tea one evening. Pierre-Henri loves the country and is very willing to help with the plans for the day. We saw several wonderful places at his suggestion that we would not have found in a guidebook. He was very helpful with restaurants, which included Sunday and Monday nights, always a challenge in France. We stayed 4 nights and it was not nearly enough. There is so much to do in this amazing part of France and this was a wonderful home base.

This place was so beautiful. Every room is full of antique furniture and lovely touches that made our stay in Sarlat feel like a journey into the past. The building itself is of some historical significance being once the home of the royal notary of Sarlat. Our room had a comfortable bed and a large, artisanal wooden table where we read and drank juice. Monsieur Toulemon was very accomodating and communicative. We really appreciated the outside space where we took the lunches we bought fresh from the city market just a minute away. We stayed in several places in Sarlat, and in Perigord in general, and this was by far our favorite. The croissants in the morning were chewy, the coffee hot, and the center of Sarlat mere meters out the door!

The hotel and the owner, Pierre Henri, are so very warm and welcoming for a medival castle/home. The history of the building and the old town is fascinating. It was a magical vacation. Our family can't wait to return.

Monsieur Toulemon met us at the gate of his home: it's the gate which opens to the ringroad Nessmann -- rather than the massive wooden doors which open out into a walkway in medieval Sarlat. You can attempt the tricky parking in the ancient cobbled area or just drive up the hill to free public parking. La Maison du Notaire Royal combines two buildings -- one was built in the 1400s and the other was erected also in the olden days. According to our host Monsieur Toulemon, towers were the most sought after and expensive bit of exterior decoration and homeowners vied with their towers. In fact, when La Maison's tower was obscured by a new build --- which also reduced the street to just a walkway -- La Maison's owner retaliated by removing the street/walkway altogether, buying the offending house, and connecting the two. If you are into history or want ideas for exploring Sarlat and the entire surrounding area, this is an excellent place to stay. My husband wanted a B&B where he could lounge in cafes, walk to dinner so he wouldn't have to drive home tipsy, and where the experience would be special. La Maison du Notaire Royal is decorated in both the comfortable 19th century and the fun -- where'd you pick that up? -- styles. Our room had a balcony large enough for a table and chairs which overlooked the square. Breakfast consisted of fresh croissants and baguettes that were bought fresh every morning. I fell in love with the apricot jam at the B&B. Breakfast time was 9:00 am, I think. (I always push for earlier times and I may have succeeded here.) The only drawback was that I had difficulty connecting to the internet with my computer and phone.