We've just returned from a road trip to Spain, but stayed in five Logis hotels in France on the way there and back. We chose all three because they had a "Restaurant Saveureux," as my current wife does enjoy a good meal and she has not been particularly impressed with some French restaurants in the past.
Relais du Taurion, St-Priest-Taurion - Near Limoges https://www.relais-taurion.fr/
Small and simple (and slightly shabby) hotel in a small but pleasant village. About 7 hrs on autoroutes from Calais (unless the Peripherique is messed up). Hotel is functional but clean and has its own car park (though it's quite rural so I can't imagine bike theft would be a big issue here). The village sits on the confluence of the Taurion and Vienne rivers and is very pleasant to wander around. It has a couple of small shops including a decent boulangerie, and a tabac. It could easily be reached by more interesting roads than the autoroute.
The restaurant had a limited choice of dishes - two starters, two main courses, two desserts. BUT.... it was amazing food. Served on the patio area which was idyllic. Clearly cooked by a very good and enthusiastic chef. A great first night! Cost £220 for room, dinner including drinks, and breakfast. I think it's a husband and wife team who do everything. She does the waiting, he does the cooking.
Hotel la Bastide Cabezac, Bize-Minervois - https://www.logishotels.com/fr/hotel/logis-hotel-la-bastide-cabezac-3741?partid=1535
Firstly, it has great air con - very appreciated on a day that was 37C when we got there.
A small hotel in the middle of the Minervois vineyards, very scenic area, and next to a very nice privately-owned Chateau. Small swimming pool, lots of off road parking. Restaurant was, again, very very good. Not cheap but not TOO expensive. £207 for B&B plus dinner (inc drinks).
Chateau de Valinches, Marols - https://www.logishotels.com/en/tarifs-et-disponibilites-chambre?id=457539
This was a more expensive hotel, but a stunning building and location in the Forez national park. Amazing roads to get there, but quite remote from anywhere. It seems to be more a conference location than a tourist hotel, but none the worse for that. Nice grounds to wander around in and some huge and very old trees to look at. Another high quality meal eaten outside. £290 for B&B plus dinner and drinks.
I'll be heading back to that area on the bike - fantastic roads! (Biblical rain made me grateful we were in the car this time.)
Hotel Les Caudalies, Arbois. https://www.logishotels.com/en/tarifs-et-disponibilites-chambre?id=9672
Arbois is in Jura, though really just on the edge of the pretty mountains. But still very scenic.
The hotel was really good and the restaurant was as good as any I've eaten at, ever. Not cheap, but good value (if that makes sense). Restaurant had the air of being a bit poncy, but the service was great and the food was out of this world. The Sommelier took time to explain what wine he recommended with each dish (without being pushy) and explained all about
vin jaune - something of an acquired taste, I think it's fair to say. The wine list here ran to 30-odd pages; the owner is a MOF Sommelier. We stayed here two nights but only ate in the restaurant on the first night. (The second night was spent looking online for somewhere that bought kidneys to pay for the first night's meal.) A truly unforgettable meal though. £511 for two nights B&B and one dinner including drinks.
Private car park.
Arbois is a nice little town, a bit touristy, but loads of restaurants and bars for all budgets in the town. Plenty of decent walking around the town as well, but quite hilly.
Hotel Auberges des Moissons, Matougues - https://www.logishotels.com/en/tarifs-et-disponibilites-chambre?id=9672
Between Chalons-en-Champagne and Eperney, so heavy on the Champagne. A bit like a motel, about 3 hrs from Calais on autoroute or 4 and a bit on N and D roads. Plenty of out-of-sight parking and I'd have felt happy to leave my bike there. Nice swimming pool. Another really good restaurant with a choice of Champagnes and, again, really well cooked food (and plenty of choice too). We may well be returning to this one as a one-nighter as it's very reachable. £290 for B&B and dinner with drinks (including a very nice bottle of Champagne).
I'd recommend any or all of these hotels for a stay, especially if you enjoy decent French cuisine.
(For info, 'drinks' with the meals were an aperitif each, a bottle of mid-range wine with the meal, and coffees afterwards)
