Take the road that zigzags through terraced vineyards, with views of the Lot Valley below and houses with flagstone rooftops, schist walls and wisteria, before reaching this dreamy inn. Two lovebirds have been nesting here since 2018: the Parisian David Dret (ex-Epi Dupin in Paris) and Anaïs Sabatié, his partner. Served à la carte, the night we went – in addition to the lentil flour éclair with a pea mousse and Estaing trout gravlax, and smoked duck breast with a whiskey jus and roasted potatoes: a well-made risotto with vegetables from Sansac-Veinazès (carrots, celery, onion), topped with marinated zucchini, roasted eggplant, tomatoes and garlic; and for the delightful finale, caramelized pear slices spread out like a fan, with homemade almond-honey ice cream and a hazelnut crisp. FYI: the small market menu can also hold its own – eg.: trout rillettes with a crisp salad; duck and mashed potato samosas; a chilled lemon parfait. // P.L.
FEELING THIRSTY? Long live the Aveyron! There’s Peyrouty, an Entraygues-le-Fel from the Domaine Mousset (€3.50 a glass) and a rosé from the Domaine Pierre Albespy (€18 a bottle), Les Anciens, an Aveyron from Patrick Rols, or an Aubrac beer from the Brasserie d’Olt (€4 for 330 ml).
PRICE: Menus €22 and €35, kids’ menu €11, à la carte €25-37; picnic baskets for hikers €11-16 (or €22 with a bottle of wine).
