Auberge du Lac de Guéry - Hotel Mont Dore (Restaurant, Hotel de Charme) — Restaurant in Issoire

This is really the perfect place to stay in the Auvergne - we spent four nights here and were very sad to leave. It is set in a wonderful position, overlooking Lac de Guery, with snow-capped mountains in the distance amidst stunning and dramatic countryside. It is a small, historic auberge with all the authentic charm of a country inn. The decor is excellent - combining rustic charm with great style, and retaining the atmosphere of a true auberge. The proprietors, Eric and Nathalie, run a brilliant operation with a young, enthusiastic and very professional team. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and the service impeccable - everyone went out of their way to be helpful. A truly pleasant surprise was the quality of the food - important since the nearest restaurants are several miles away! This is a seriously good kitchen and the chef, Pascal, is a maestro, producing beautifully-cooked, imaginative dishes with plenty of regional touches. The quenelles de brochet (one of the greatest of French dishes) were faultless and the riz d’agneau mouth-watering; the vegetables were delicious. There is a clever wine list with a focus on wines from volcanic regions including, of course, the local wines of the Auvergne. There is a very well appointed hammam and sauna. All in all we cannot recommend this Auberge highly enough. And, finally, our dog had a lovely time and was made to feel...

This is really the perfect place to stay in the Auvergne - we spent four nights here and were very sad to leave. It is set in a wonderful position, overlooking Lac de Guery, with snow-capped mountains in the distance amidst stunning and dramatic countryside. It is a small, historic auberge with all the authentic charm of a country inn. The decor is excellent - combining rustic charm with great style, and retaining the atmosphere of a true auberge. The proprietors, Eric and Nathalie, run a brilliant operation with a young, enthusiastic and very professional team. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and the service impeccable - everyone went out of their way to be helpful. A truly pleasant surprise was the quality of the food - important since the nearest restaurants are several miles away! This is a seriously good kitchen and the chef, Pascal, is a maestro, producing beautifully-cooked, imaginative dishes with plenty of regional touches. The quenelles de brochet (one of the greatest of French dishes) were faultless and the riz d’agneau mouth-watering; the vegetables were delicious. There is a clever wine list with a focus on wines from volcanic regions including, of course, the local wines of the Auvergne. There is a very well appointed hammam and sauna. All in all we cannot recommend this Auberge highly enough. And, finally, our dog had a lovely time and was made to feel...

The Auberge du Lac, the gem of the lake. On the borders exactly, with a stunning landscape, specially when the fog hides this gem, the terrace is exquisite and a place to unwind with a glass of wine and some local cheese after a long day hike. Or the fireplace inside for when the weather is too cold. We went there in September to hike in the PARC DES VOLCAN D'AUVERGNES. We where 3 best friends and we used a big room for 3! All rooms and hotel are newly redecorated with taste and smarts. The team there is hospitable, nice and respectful. The food (dinner) was absolutely delicious! At par with some of the Michelin stars we tried later on the trip. The owner was super nice to us, with special requests granted, like when we asked her to leave earlier to follow the sun and change route she did not charge us the last night. (Check the weather after September, as the volcanoes have a very personal way of mending the weather :) Don't miss it...