Château de Maraval

Whether by moonlight or sunlight, welcome to this pretty property in the heart of a Dordogne village. The aromas wafting out of the kitchen have been tantalising diners for four generations now! Beautifully presented recipes that err towards traditional and wholesome, such as crispy sweetbread paired with a crunchy tartlet of celeriac and onion milk. Small guestrooms are available to prolong your stay in this enchanting village.

This couple who earned their stripes in the industry have transformed this charming Périgord mill – a water-powered sawmill, to be precise – into a peaceful country restaurant. The stream that drives the cogs can be seen beneath the restaurant through the glass floor panels. The chef rustles up delicious food that is very much in tune with the times – eg fillet of roast Limousin beef, topped with a good red wine jus and accompanied by Noirmoutier potatoes. They have a lovely shaded terrace, and the proprietress provides attentive service.

This spruce stone house has earned a fine reputation for itself in the Périgord noir. Chef Bruno Marien curates a vibrant modern score featuring premium regional produce: free-range geese, partridges, whole carcasses and fruit and veg from local growers. The shaded patio by a fountain is bliss come summertime. Never fails to deliver the goods!

Valérie and Jean-Marc Réal have been at the helm of this delightful restaurant in a peaceful Black Périgord village for over twenty years. The chef enhances seasonal produce, cleverly blending tradition and modernity, in particular courtesy of punchy gravies and carefully balanced combinations of ingredients. Examples include sautéed snails and calf’s head wrapped in green leaves, garnished with a watercress-flavoured crème of cep mushrooms. A warm welcome and an extensive wine cellar add the final flourish to a slap-up meal.

From the terrace or through the restaurant's picture windows, the landscape mesmerises and fascinates, as you admire the jaw-dropping panoramic view over the grounds and the rooftops of historic Gourdon. Justine and Benoît Mouly showcase regional produce and tableware by local artisans. The food celebrates the region’s traditions, courtesy of creative notes and well-judged flavours: courgettes, strawberries and elderflower; Borrèze trout confit in olive oil, gazpacho of green peas; Salviac foie gras served like nougat with apricots and walnuts.

In front of an elegant 19C freestone building, the terrace laid out on a balcony looks onto the Dordogne valley. Inside, herringbone hardwood flooring, immaculate white walls, delicate mouldings and green or beige velvet seats make for a refined setting that is both chic and cosy. The chef, a keen traveller, turns his hand to two types of cuisine: brasserie style at lunchtime and fine dining in the evening. He only uses top-notch produce, which he cooks to perfection. Some of his dishes are infused with subtle Asian notes, for instance his lemongrass prawn bisque.

School’s out! In its place, this gently nostalgic establishment has a classroom - style dining room, courtyard terrace and kitchen garden in the old playground. Contemporary cuisine.