We chose the Chateau de Longcol both from personal and TripAdvisor recommendations for a three day quiet break with our border collie in August 2017.
For anyone who knows France, this is a contradiction in terms – quiet and holiday in France in August don’t go together easily, about 20 million French are on holiday at the same time, and everywhere remotely touristic is usually packed.
Not so, the Aveyron, which is where the hotel is situated, on a bend in the river, surrounded by forest, and not easily accessed – very narrow and twisty roads and a long way from any large town.
However, the trip was well worth it. We booked the “Un Soir a Longcol” package, bed, breakfast and evening meal, in a Superior room – which had its own entrance both onto the poolside, and also a separate door towards the garden and path down to the river – ideal for taking our dog for a walk without disturbing other guests.
We loved the hotel, it has a “laid-back” feeling, which meant that although they were fully booked both in the hotel and restaurant, it was calm and peaceful, with no feeling that the hotel management were continually watching in case guests damaged the “priceless artefacts” dotted around, something we have experienced in similar properties around Europe. In fact the staff are superb, friendly, there when needed, and extremely good at their jobs.
The room was comfortable, quiet, and well furnished, the bathroom provided a shower so powerful it actually blew out of its holder if you turned it on too quickly – so very invigorating.
Of course, the highlight of the stay was the restaurant, breakfast more than sufficient for any appetite, and the evening meal an adventure. No menu, it was a 3 or, during our stay 5 courses, plus an amuse bouche and pre-appetiser, and you took what came. We took the hotel wine choice to accompany it – three different wines one with each course, chosen to match the food.
All in all a very enjoyable weekend, not cheap, but worth the expense, with a plus in that our dog was treated as equal, and made welcome from our arrival. We can highly recommend it.