Le Pont de L'Ouysse was born when an enterprising couple, Antoinette and Baptiste Maury, began a catering service for the bridge construction crews who had come to connect the villages of Belcastel and Lacave. This was a strategic move on Baptiste's part as he was a ferryman about to lose his livelihood. By 1905, the Maurys, along with their son Paul and his wife, were running a 4-bedroom inn worth noting in that year's Michelin guide. The inn transformed into a hotel restaurant in the 1960s, headed by Paul's daughter Paulette and her husband Louis Gousat. Further remodeling was done in the 1970s under Paulette's daughter Marinette and her husband Daniel Chambon. Another renovation in 1989 added more bedrooms and facilities, as well as an outdoor swimming pool. Today, the hotel is managed by Marinette's two sons, Stéphane and Mathieu Chambon, who inherited the hotel from their parents in 2007.

Design and Architecture

While the hotel is dressed and decorated for the modern era, its rustic touches such as old furniture and fixtures give it an immersive heritage vibe. The wooden floorboards and furniture make guests feel connected with the rural and idyllic past. So, too, does the stonework provide a sense of stability. In contrast, the posh terrace and restaurant remind them that they're enjoying the simple pleasures in the present and that they should savor it.

Using family recipes collected and passed down each generation, Chef Stéphane Chambon provides a reassuring atmosphere at Le Pont de L'Ouysse's signature restaurant and ensures delectable gourmet cuisine made from the freshest local ingredients. He applies the experience he earned from working in hotel restaurants all over the world, infusing international twists into his traditional cuisine, thus creating innovative new flavors that even locals love to discover.

The dining experience at Le Pont de L'Ouysse comes in the standard three-course meal consisting of the entrée, main course, and dessert. Guests can order the three-course meal for 80 EUR (86.69 USD) or order them separately. Other menus are also available, including the Chef's Specials, and seasonal menus inspired by the location.

Opening hours: Thursday - Sunday: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (lunch); Tuesday - Sunday: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm (dinner)

The gourmet restaurant of Le Pont de L'Ouysse handles the hotel's private events and celebrations. Weddings and large gatherings would require privatization of the hotel, however, so make sure to get in touch with the management via their website's contact form. It's worth noting that the lush river valley and woodland setting of the hotel create an enchanting fairytale vibe you won't easily find elsewhere.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Le Pont de L'Ouysse isn't just a scenic riverside hotel, it's the perfect basecamp for exploring Lacave and experiencing the many wonderful adventures found in this part of Occitania. Lacave is home to the Grottes de Lacave, a local prehistoric cave system that you can explore. If going underground isn't your thing, you can go swimming and boating on the Dordogne River. Animal lovers definitely shouldn't miss the commune of Rocamadour as it is home to the Monkey Forest, and the Rocher des Aigles bird park. Rocamadour's most striking sight, however, would be Château de Rocamadour, a gorgeous clifftop castle first constructed in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 19th century.

Other Celebrations
If your trip to Lacave is also meant to celebrate a special day, the hotel's signature restaurant can be your privatized venue. However, needing to privatize the whole restaurant might be a bit too much, so check with the management if they can instead arrange a special table for you and your group. You can get in touch with them via the hotel's website.