Le Moulin du Roc *****

Rating: 9.2

When you enter the driveway up to the hotel, you enter another world. Moulin du Roc offers a beautiful setting on the banks of the Dronne river, in the heart of the Perigord..

This former mill is now a hotel and restaurant of great charm and romance, where you can go to recharge your batteries for a day, a weekend or more, in pleasant surroundings, seemingly untouched by the passage of time.

Le Moulin du Roc offers five-star French heaven in the most handsome mill and trout-serenaded brook you could imagine. Few addresses are such a potent visual reminder of what makes the Dordogne so unforgettably as this old country hotel with an outstanding Michelin-starred restaurant.

Alain Gardillou, a chef, has been the heart and soul since 1969 when he opened a small bar and restaurant, and later rooms, in the old stone mill where the region’s famous walnuts were pressed for oil.

"The relationship with my job is very emotional, my mother being herself a double Michelin-starred chef!From the age of four, I was immersed in this atmosphere, I followed my mother and I always liked cooking, which has guided me throughout my career." said Alain Gardillou on the hotels website..

Rooms

The 15 rooms have beams and exposed stone in three buildings. Passageways and staircases link the trio. Some rooms have a private terrace overlooking the river, green lawns and pool beyond. Décor is romantic French country-style and remains loyal to the classical palettes of gold and Bordeaux, rose pink and cream, salmon and olive green. Period bathrooms have a tub with hook or walk-in shower, and fresh eau d’orange verte-scented Hermès amenities.

Restaurant

Foie Gras, beef, mushrooms, Périgord truffles and strawberries are among the local seasonal products in the hotel restaurant, which has had one Michelin star since 1979. The menus are a treat and exceptional value. Dine inside, on the covered terrace, or beside the river.

We had an outstanding dinner in Le Moulin du Roc. Their famous fresh tagliatelle with Perigord black truffle and foie gras was exceptional. The wines were great as well. I do admit, we did not go for the €7.000 bottle of 1953 Petrus.

We paid €290 per night for the signature room with terrace.

The peaceful garden was created with lounging in mind and its sizeable outdoor infinity pool, heated between May and September. The hotel has its own tennis courts.

If you brought your fishing gear, there is trout in the river and I did catch quite a few of them.

Location

Moulin du Roc is a 10-minute drive from the riverside town of Brantôme, otherwise known as the ‘Venice of Périgord’. Bordeaux airport would be some 2 hours. When travelling by car, it might be good to know the hotel also has two charging point for electric or hybrid cars.

CHAMPAGNAC-DE-BÉLAIR, DORDOGNE, FRANCE