Hôtel de Mirandol

Hôtel de Mirandol stands on rue des Consuls in the historic heart of Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of the best-preserved medieval towns of the Périgord Noir. Facing the Hôtel Plamon and set right on Place aux Oies, this listed private mansion is one of several protected townhouses that give Sarlat's old quarter its distinctive character.

Where does the name Mirandol come from?

The building takes its name from the Counts of Mirandol, who owned it in the 19th century. One member of the family, a captain in a dragoon regiment and a Knight of the Order of Saint-Louis, served as a deputy for the Dordogne department in 1815. He is credited with commissioning the two columns and the heraldic cartouche added to the monumental portal's pediment, an upgrade meant to lend the family seat more prestige. As a result, the portal stands out among Sarlat's entrances, most of which favor plainer Gothic detailing. The Mirandol lineage also held rural estates, including the châteaux of Peyruzel in Daglan and Péchaud in La Chapelle-Péchaud.

What lies behind the facade?

The building itself predates the Mirandol family by centuries. Its core dates back to the 16th century, while parts of the structure are older still. A bread oven from the 13th century survives in the ground-floor room, a reminder that the property once served a working, domestic purpose long before it acquired its present, more ceremonial appearance. Beneath the house sits a natural cave that opens onto an underground stream feeding the nearby Fontaine Sainte-Marie, one of several springs that explain why water has always run close to the surface in this part of town.

What happens inside the mansion today?

The 14th- and 15th-century interiors now house Auberge Le Mirandol, a restaurant and inn built around the flavors of the Périgord Noir. Expect regional staples on the menu: foie gras, duck breast, wild mushrooms such as ceps, and, in season, truffles. Diners are invited to visit the cave free of charge after their meal, turning a simple lunch into a small piece of local history. Rooms are also available to rent, including group arrangements, so a stay here can combine an overnight in a centuries-old building with a meal rooted in regional cooking.

Why does it matter to visitors touring Sarlat?

Sarlat-la-Canéda is known for its densely packed old town, where honey-colored sandstone facades and slate roofs have made it a favorite backdrop for period films. Hôtel de Mirandol fits neatly into that setting: a bourgeois residence that shifted purpose repeatedly over the centuries, from a working household to a noble family seat and finally to today's restaurant and inn. Anyone strolling along rue des Consuls should pause at the columned portal with its carved cartouche, one of the more elaborate architectural flourishes in this stretch of the old town.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Hôtel de Mirandol located? At 7 rue des Consuls in Sarlat-la-Canéda, right on Place aux Oies and directly opposite the Hôtel Plamon, in the very center of the old town.

Can visitors see the building without booking a table? The cave beneath the house is offered free to restaurant guests after their meal; it functions as an add-on to a visit at Auberge Le Mirandol rather than a standalone sight.

Where does the Mirandol name come from? From the Counts of Mirandol, who owned the property in the 19th century. One of them, a deputy for the Dordogne, had the portal decorated with columns and a heraldic cartouche.

Is it possible to stay overnight at Hôtel de Mirandol? Yes, the inn rents out rooms, including options for groups, allowing guests to pair a night in the historic building with a meal in its period dining rooms.