Hôtel de Digoine - Demeure d'hôtes

The hotel was hard to find, looked a little run down on the outside even though you could tell it must have had a glorious past situated centrally on the river bank. Right away this triggered my imagination and thoughts went to the Rocky Horror Show, The Adams Family etc. It was even hard to find the entrance, which I found refreshingly enjoyable. This was not a predictive cookie cutter Best Western, Novotel or similar bla-ha experience awaiting. My girlfriend and I found a possible entrance on the backstreet behind the possible hotel. We carefully pushed the massive squeaking rusty iron gate open still wondering if we were intruding on someones private mansion. We walked across the courtyard and up the stairs to a massive locked entrance with a centuries old doorbell. I pulled the handle down and bells were ringing. Eventually the door opened and I expected to see Lurch. The proprietor of the hotel had a big friendly welcoming smile and took us on a tour of the hotel while telling about it's history through the last couple of centuries. It was once owned by a general who fought the British in Canada and a silk trader who made a massive fortune importing from China when the silk industry suffered from disease in Europe. The interior is tastefully decorated with remnants from a glorious past. It's like you get to live in a museum. The breakfast in the old kitchen was perfect. I also really enjoyed my morning swim in the pool that was in a cave like cellar. A great experience!

This place is amazing. The staff is so kind and helpful. Everything should stay here one night just to see this cool building and what they have done with it. We stayed in a room with view towards the river. I recommend this, there are a market right outside the room in the morning. Really cool place.