Martine de Carvalho, the new owner, is proud of the 'warm family ambiance' of her centrally placed, white-painted B&B hotel. It stands near the gates of the medieval city, not far from the River Vienne, in a sunny garden filled with sun-loungers and chairs. She promises to treat guests on a 'home-from home' basis, and they are cared for by an English-speaking staff. 'We go out of our way to help elderly and disabled guests,' she adds. Unusually for a French hotel, tea and coffee are offered to arriving visitors. The pretty bedrooms, all air conditioned, are decorated in traditional style. Most are in the original 19th-century demeure, but some are in an annexe (with air-conditioning) and a villa. Breakfasts include 'something for all tastes': there are home-made pancakes and jams, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc, and 'we have even been known to provide a cooked English breakfast on request'. In the salon/bar, with its long red curtains, drinks, including local wines, are served, and there is free-WiFi. A black London taxi-cab will take guests on small excursions, and when necessary, they may be fetched from the nearby railway station. Pets are allowed by prior arrangement.