La Belle Étoile

La Belle Étoile is a family-run hotel-restaurant nestled between the golden cliff and the tranquil reflections of the Dordogne in La Roque-Gageac, at the heart of the Périgord Noir. Transmitted across four generations, the house pairs historic charm, warm hospitality and a gastronomic spirit rooted in tradition. Guests stay in one of twelve rooms or a 60 m² suite and dine on a riverside terrace that enhances the house’s intimate, period character. The house holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand and Gault & Millau two toques for its terroir-driven cooking and attentive service. The dining rooms and hotel present a classic, period atmosphere: golden stone façade, wooden furniture, exposed beams, a fireplace and mirrors, with an intimate terrace overlooking the Dordogne. The setting is warm, traditional and cosy, suited to romantic dinners and relaxed country stays. The kitchen serves traditional Périgord cuisine updated with contemporary touches, building menus around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced via short supply chains and local partners. Dishes are executed in a refined, generous style that balances classic recipes and modern reinterpretations, celebrating Périgord terroir with precise, emotional plating. Father and son Régis and Théo Ongaro lead the kitchen in a four-hand approach, marrying regional recipes with contemporary techniques. Régis Ongaro is credited as chef. Specialties include ris de veau browned; duck foie gras poached or pan-seared; a perfect egg with pumpkin, duck and chestnuts; scallops with Jerusalem artichoke purée; truffled Brie de Meaux; and filet of sole with salsify.