Logis Hotel la Ferme de Flaran

Very friendly, comfortable hotel. Excellent position for visiting the region and the Abbey nearby. Good pool. Good food freshly cooked with local produce. Easy to find with plenty of free parking. Good wifi connection.

I stayed at la Ferme over a long weekend in August 2022. If ever one wanted 'French countryside in summer', this is definitely the place. It's quite a way from any large towns (and even a goodly walk to the nearest small one), so a car is pretty much essential (although I managed it by lifts from kind friends and taxis). But that's the point, really. You are miles form anywhere, just basking in the glories of rural France in August. The pool is a boon, if you're simply relaxing in the sunshine. The rooms are lovely - all you'd ever need, with views of the countryside, the red pantiles and the sky. They're also air-conditioned, which is a saviour on those hot nights. The food is glorious: a concentration on France's best produce, cooked well and served by friendly and helpful staff. The 'grandes salades' are particularly fine, and you don't really need anything else. You're also in Armagnac country, so save a little space to try some of their wide range. Just down the road (literally 10 minutes' walk at most) is the Abbaye de Flaran, now run as an arts centre. Solid, Romanesque architecture with later additions (and some elegantly preserved grounds), the abbey itself is worth the visit, but it's home to roaming contemporary exhibitions and installations, and a breathtaking permanent collection that includes several Dali sculptures, a Picasso, a Modigliani, a Rodin, a Camille Claudel, a Cézanne, a Braque, and a particularly fine Monet seascape. Feed your appetite; crank up the Ravel. This is the most intense experience of rural France you can have.

Not welcoming. We asked to sit outside but that was not possible despite beautiful evening. Very disappointing menu with items marked not available due to supplier shortages. Food mediocre with little flavour. Tournedos steak probably best but fish and duck quite bland. Aubergine flan quite tasteless. Very overpriced. This was a great shame as this used be a good local restaurant serving superb, authentic gascon fare.