Hôtel le Befranc

My wife and I have stayed at Le Befranc on many occasions and have always been made welcome and have thoroughly enjoyed our stays. I first visited the building when it was the local Gendamerie in 1960 - for lunch as a guest of the daughter of one of the Gendarmes. The attraction for us is the secure parking, the quality of the accommodation and the food in the restaurant. We have regularly had evening meals of upwards of 10 people and the quality of the food has never dropped. The bedrooms are well furnished, very clean and pleasant with en-suite facilities. The proprietors are very helpful and friendly. To reiterate a previous comment we have never had a poor meal in the restaurant. The choice is excellent, the food well prepared and presented. Breakfast is traditional French but that's more than adequate for us. For quests with mobility problems the front entrance is very difficult - steep stairs - but entry can be achieved via the car park through the restaurant. When booking emails are promply answered. Dogs are welcome hence we love staying at Le Befranc as there's plenty of space for Lucy to play with her football and decent walks are available especially along the old railway line heading east from Saint-Bonnet-le-Chateau. The Forez regions is well worth a visit - try the wines - with two Chemin de fer Touristique experiences available from Ambert and Estivareilles. The Abbey at La Chaise Dieu is well worth a visit and of course there are the mummies in the crypt of the church in Saint-Bonnet-le-Chateau as well. The medieval parts of the town are very interesting as well and on a clear day it's possible to see Mont Blanc for the viewing platform at the east end of the Church.