Auberge De La Vallee - Laguian-Mazous

For me, the attractions of these menu du jour places down in la France Profonde is the big soup starter, the sociable bustle and, overall, a very big lunch by no means haute cuisine but real food cheaper than you could buy the ingredients and make it at home. But at this one, the price is that little bit higher, it offered no soup (it began straightaway with the normal follow up, a small charcuterie salad) and though there was a choice of main course and my rabbit chips was generous, they charged extra for the wine (traditionally included on these menus du jour). The result was that on the lunchtime I went, there were only five other customers. The large room, meanwhile, looks to have been recently redecorated, giving it a clean but pointless pallor; there's the alternative of a courtyard seating area, facing an unappealing yard. Inside or out, don't come here for atmosphere. To be honest, why come at all?

Coming there to work around on a business trip, I was not disappointed, quite the contrary. The welcome was warm, our hosts smiling and friendly. The dining room has a very special character, very pleasant and friendly. There are a thousand and one stories to tell about the place, narrated by the owner. The rooms are clean and maintained every day. In short, I highly recommend stopping at the inn in the valley, passing through, just for a drink, or over several days to discover the treasures of the region.

Good, simple family cuisine for a very nice price. Good countryside atmosphere. The servers and owner are very friendly and smiling.

Pleasant welcome. Very little choice of dish but very plentiful. Main clientele: workers working nearby

Simple, friendly, very good value for money, close to the Marciac festival (17kms), wonderful homemade jams for breakfast.