South of the Lot River, just half an hour from the historic town of Cahors, this château is in a stunning setting surrounded by fifty acres of private grounds with wonderful views of the Lot valley.
There’s a pretty village within a 4km drive with a boulangerie, small shop and post office whilst the riverside village of Luzech (7km) offers further shops and amenities as well as a couple of restaurants and a Wednesday morning market. Luzech’s setting on the banks of two parts of the river is especially picturesque. A little further east, head to a brilliant Base de Loisirs on the Lot with supervised swimming in July and August as well as a river beach, canoe hire, paddle-boarding, pedalos and a play area.
The nearest town is beautiful Cahors (23km), well-known for its historic sights including Le Pont Valentré, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the medieval historic centre, discover picturesque squares, narrow lanes and some excellent restaurants. The Wednesday and Saturday morning markets are a particular delight selling all sorts of seasonal local produce such as truffles, foie gras and Quercy melons.
Across this region you will be able to visit many vineyards and wineries around Cahors, some of them famous for producing some of the finest Malbec grapes in the world. Private tours and tastings can be arranged.
From May to September take a river cruise along the Lot in Cahors or in July and August you can take a day boat trip as far as the incredibly beautiful village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (50km). This village is known to be one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ and can also be reached in around an hour by car. It’s an enchanting place with flower-filled lanes, little art galleries and delightful shops selling all sorts of artisan products – it’s an area that has inspired artists for many years.
A little closer to home, Puy-l'Évêque (20km) is another charming village, perched above the Lot with its beautiful stone houses and maze of narrow lanes and steps. Take a boat trip along the river from here and hire canoes or pedaloes. Market-lovers should visit on a Tuesday morning; other wonderful markets in the area include Montcuq (17km) on a Sunday morning and Prayssac (15km) on a Friday.
There are many historic châteaux to visit in the Lot-et-Garonne from the incredible ruins of Château de Bonaguil (38km), the pretty gardens and surroundings of Château de Fumel (40km) and the especially beautiful Chateau de Gavaudun (50km).
Other classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ that can be reached in under an hour include Monpazier (54km) and Monflanquin (55km) or head further north to the Dordogne river with Domme (55km), La Roque-Gageac (56km) and Beynac-et-Cazenac (63km). Take a boat trip along the river, hire canoes, explore Farmer’s markets and discover the glorious landscapes of the Dordogne.
Rocamadour (70km) is another outstanding place of natural beauty with its perfectly preserved town built on the edge of a cliff, perhaps combined with a trip to charming Gourdon (49km), one of many gorgeous towns of the Lot region.
The Region
A relatively new addition to France, the Midi-Pyrénées was created to surround the cultural capital of Toulouse in the late 1970s. You might think that its relative youth would mean the Midi-Pyrénées is short on character or identity, but remember, this is France we’re talking about – the whole country is steeped in history and tradition.
Encompassing parts of Gascony, Languedoc, the Gers and several others, you’ll get a varied slice of the whole French experience here, not least if you stay at one of our beautiful chateaux in the Midi-Pyrénées!
