I would like to echo the praises of Aurifat, one of the most charming and delightful Bed and Breakfast Inns that we have stayed in. The owners, Ian and Penelope deserve all the praise that is heaped upon them. They go well beyond the expected good nature and assistance one often enjoys in B&Bs. Ian's emails are personal and very helpful. Penelope has created a rural garden that brings smiles. The Inn is a very short walk to the charming village of Cordes sur Ciel yet as bucholic as Inns can be with a view of the neighboring hills to die for. The rooms are spartan but of reasonable size--watch your heads at the doorways. The place is immaculately clean including the swimming pool. The owners share their enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge about the area and their dining tips are unfailingly correct. We arrived as strangers and left as friends.

This is a very late review, but we stayed here in May, 2003 and it is a wonderful B&B to see the village of Cordes from. Ian and Penelope are wonderful hosts and made our stay a great one. Would return again.

Aurifat is a history-laden house, with a stone watchtower dated back to the 13th century. Located on a slope just minutes below the medieval town of Cordes, the house enjoyed an extraordinary setting.

There are 5 rooms in Aurifat and each has its own private entrance. We stayed in Farmhouse which, according to the owners Ian and Penelope, is the best and we couldn't agree less (see photo 2 for a view from Farmhouse). The room is spacious but cozy, and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. The furnitues and paintings are thoroughly at home, retaining the character of the house. The enormous ensuite bathroom has an ample supply of towels, tissues, and cotton wool (very useful after a swim).

Since there are only 5 rooms, there are never too many people in the pool at any given time. With Aurifat located outide and below the town of Cordes, you can enjoy the most secluded swim. If you don't fancy a swim, there are plenty of sunbeds by the pool where you could relax and absorb the beauty of nature.

Breakfast in the patio was my favourite part of the stay. Every morning, there is a good selection of fresh bread from a local bakery, honey from a nearby farm, French yoghurt, and homemade fruit salad, served with tea/ coffee.

There are plenty of places to eat in Cordes. Ian and Penelope will tell you which ones are not to be missed and which are to avoid. If you don't speak French, they will also make the reservation for you.

If you prefer staying in, there is a self-catering kitchen where you will find a cooker, oven, fridge and freezer. There is also a separate cupboard space for each room of guests. A good range of spices is also available.

Ian and Penelope are very helpful. We obtained from them very clear instructions on driving from Rodez airport to Aurifat. They are also happy to lend you local maps if you need them.

We love Aurifat and will definitely go back there in the near future.