Wonderful, clean, close to all the actives and towns this owner run bed and breakfast is absolutely…read moreperfect. Every detail including beautiful gardens is in place.

I'm probably not the first to tell you that the Dordogne is very hot right now. This region in the…read moresouthwest of France is one of the few to have not been destroyed in wars, meaning it's medieval villages are intact. If you are not familiar with the region for this reason, perhaps you have heard about the very famous French dish prepared here: fois gras. In Dordogne you will enjoy the best fois gras of your life with (if I may suggest) a Montbazillac (sweet white) or a Bergerac (red). Connoisseurs know that the way to travel here is by Bed & Breakfast. I found the Bill and Kathy's "Les Volets Rouges" Bed & Breakfast online. I had actually called a bunch and chose them because Bill was so nice to me on the phone. Their home is traditional Dordogne, made with old stones and inside the decoration is cosy and immaculate. Kathy takes great care of the guests. I have never been to a Bed & Breakfast in Dordogne or anywhere else where such care was taken. She changed our towels every day, the swimming pool is heated, you can use their terrace and she even lent us plastic dinner ware for a picnic. There are even bathroom amenities so if you forget something, chances are they will have put it in the bathroom for you! Noise is not an issue at Les Volets Rouges as the only neighbors are sheep, and they go to bed early! Besides the welcoming English couple, their lovely home and the charm you feel in it, the Volets Rouges Bed & Breakfast Dordogne is perfectly situated between Beynac and Sarlat. Both cities are worth a day trip at the very least. When we came here, the weather was actually not warm and we had some rain but I was pleased to notice that the region is just as lovely in the cool weather as it is in the hot sun. The cool weather actually deters tourists and makes March or September ideal times to see the charm of the Dordogne without the throngs of tourists at all corners. I will definitely be back. I just hope there will be room for me! Bill and Kathy have three rooms to rent, all with private bathrooms/showers. Breakfast in their immaculate dining room is a treat. You feel like royalty and family at the same time when you visit Les Volets Rouges Bed & Breakfast Dordogne! Note, prices in 2011 are 65 euros per night.

Nestled in the sweet little town, Cadouin the B & B is a find. A hidden gem. Got a recommendation…read morefrom a local and had some doubts at first look. It is NOT your standard B & B, but it is a true French experience. The decor looked a little odd at first because It is also an antique shoppe, The owners are both Parisians who moved their antiques business south for "the country life". So, why not open a B & B? We stayed 4 nights, a record for ANY B & B anywhere. Why leave perfection? The inn was completely renovated and restored so the building is OLD while the plumbing, electricity and kitchen are ultra modern American grade. Lots of HOT water on demand in beautifully styled bathrooms. Gorgeous tile work, comfy beds, 100% thick cotton linens and fluffy big white towels. Meanwhile the character of the floors walls, etc have been carefully preserved so it's like staying in the nearby castle. Every piece of furniture is a genuine antique and for sale too! The inn was only the beginning. The TLC we got from our hosts was 5 star. Breakfast was served either in the garden, the library or the dining room, your choice and weather permitting. We tried all 3. Luc stored our bikes for us, sent us off with fresh water and apples every day on our rides and when we returned he brought us iced Perrier with lemon! One night he even did a load of laundry for us! The location was a perfect one for 4 days of ideal biking in 4 directions. One day we biked to the river to canoe. One day we went to tour one of the local castles. One day we went to a huge market site. Cadouin has NO ATM and only a few restaurants but the bakery in town is great and they will make sandwiches for you. All the restaurants were excellent. It's France, you know? The Inn doesn't take credit cards, the only negative, but the price is 2 star for a 5 star experience, so deal! The Abbey in town draws some pilgrims but generally it's not a touristy town and few Americans go there. It's an undiscovered jewel. Note: there are two gorgeous and very well mannered black labs on the premises so not good if you're allergic. Oh and wifi access in our room!