Couiza is a delightful village. And the Chateau is a charming hotel. By the river is gorgeous and the pool is a relief after a hot day. Dinner at the restaurant was high end and satisfying. Rooms are not big but cozy. We enjoyed our stay and would stay again.

Very romantic building although location not ideal. Room was quite small but very pleasant and comfortable. Ours faced the river and this seemed to be the best side to be. Food in the evening was good although the choice staying on a half board basis was somewhat limited. Breakfast was poor.

We had a delightful 2 night stay; the staff spoke English; dinner in the restaurant was exceptional and the breakfast delicious. We booked a small double room, which was warm and clean and the bath towels white and fluffy. We arrived starving and thirsty after a very long journey and the kitchen sent up coffee and croissants. Absolutely perfect and I recommend it!

My daughter wanted to visit the sites mentioned in the Dan Brown books and the chateau was the perfect base, though in reality we only needed 1/2 a day! We spent the rest of the time touring the area, which included Carcassonne, Narbonne and La Grasse.

The hotel restaurant is closed on Monday, as are all the restaurants locally, so we had to drive 45 minutes away to Castelnaudry for dinner. Fortunately we had a car, but this could prove inconvenient.

We're a big fan of staying in old castles and similar types of hotels. That is the primary reason we chose Chateau des Ducs de Joyeuse. It's a very nice place, although in a somewhat strange location (in the middle of school grounds, in the middle of the town of Couiza). You do have to realize you are staying in a centuries-old castle -- the steps to the upper floors are worn, etc. But it's a very nice castle experience. Food in the restaurant was terrific -- some very nice presentations of fine French cuisine. We had a very nice room, with a nice bathroom. As mentioned, the grounds near the river are very nice -- we did not swim in the pool, as we got in late, and left in the morning after breakfast. Altogether a nice castle stay, not the greatest we have had, but very pleasant.