Cottages du Lac de Miel

Cottages du Lac de Miel Overview

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Cottages du Lac de Miel, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The GPS kind of gave up on me once I turned off the main road through Beynat, and I had to follow these winding lanes past stone farmhouses until suddenly there it was, tucked right against this gorgeous little lake that you’d never know existed unless someone told you about it. The whole place has this wonderfully uncommercialized feel – no fancy signage or manicured entrance, just a collection of beautiful cottages that look like they’ve been there forever (though I suspect they haven’t).

What really gets me about this place is how genuinely French it feels without trying too hard, you know? The cottages are scattered around the lake’s edge, each one different – some stone, some timber, all with these massive windows facing the water. I stayed in one of the lakefront units in September, which honestly might be the perfect time to visit because the summer crowds from Brive-la-Gaillarde have mostly cleared out but the weather’s still warm enough to sit on your private terrace with morning coffee. The interiors are this lovely mix of rustic and comfortable – thick wooden beams, local stone, but with proper modern bathrooms and kitchens that actually work. My cottage had this amazing fireplace that I didn’t need but loved looking at, and the bed was positioned so you wake up staring straight out at the lake through floor-to-ceiling windows.

The lake itself is the real star here – it’s this peaceful, tree-lined stretch of water where you can kayak (they provide them) or just float around on one of those inflatable things they leave by each cottage. Mornings are magical when the mist rises off the water, and evenings… well, you’ll find yourself staying outside way longer than planned watching the light change. There’s no restaurant on-site, but honestly that works in your favor because the kitchens are well-equipped and there’s something special about cooking dinner while looking out at the lake, then eating it on your terrace as the sun sets. If you need supplies, the little market in Beynat has surprisingly good local products – grab some Corrèze cheese and wine from the Cahors region nearby. The owners (lovely couple, very helpful without being intrusive) can point you toward some excellent restaurants in the area if you want to venture out. Just know that this isn’t a place for spa services or room service – it’s about disconnecting and enjoying this incredibly peaceful spot that feels worlds away from everything, even though you’re only about twenty minutes from the A20 motorway. Perfect for couples who want to actually talk to each other again, or anyone who’s tired of cookie-cutter hotels.