Set in the beautiful countryside of Tarn-et-Garonne, with lovely views of woodland and farmland, Chateau des Audaces enjoys an enviable location just over 2km from a local village.
You can pick up morning pastries and fresh bread from the boulangerie in the local village and there’s also a small grocery store there, whilst a larger supermarket is around 7km away.
The small bastide town of Lauzerte (7km) is classed as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with its pretty arcaded square, medieval buildings which have recently been restored and charming cafes, shops and restaurants. Stop off in Le Jardin du Pelerin which is on the famous Camino pilgrim's route that passes through the town (the GR65, which also passes within 3km of the house).
The Tarn-et-Garonne is often referred to as the ‘Tuscany of France’ due to its beautiful valleys and rolling hills. You will find food markets in many villages and towns across the region, certainly one for most days of the week. Local specialities include grapes, duck, Cahors wine, fruit and you’ll be able to visit vineyards, organic farmers and fromagiers both nearby and further afield. Look out for the weekly summer brocantes (flea markets) as well.
There are some wonderful cycling routes through the countryside landscapes as well as walking trails (including the famous GR65 pilgrim route) and horse-riding. There’s a small but very pretty golf course 11km away and tennis courts even closer.
Just a twenty-minute drive away is Lac De Montcuq with its lake beach, restaurant, play area, fishing opportunities and supervised swimming on some summer afternoons. There’s also a popular water park at the top of the lake. If you prefer boating, head to the Canal des Deux Mers, just over half an hour away, also known for its picturesque cycling tow paths or hire kayaks on the river in Moissac.
Montcuq (18km) is a delightful town with a great Sunday morning market and a fascinating Cathar history. Puy-l'Évêque (43km) is also incredibly beautiful, a perched village on the River Lot and you can take boat trips in the summer months. Moissac (24km), on the banks of the Tarn River, is worthy of a visit for the Abbaye Saint-Pierre, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Montauban (34km) is another great town with its impressive square, restaurants, museums and lovely walks along the Canal De Montech.
Try to visit the historic town of Cahors (45km) on market day, twice a week, where you can pick up all sorts of amazing local delights such as Quercy melons, truffles and the finest foie gras. The famous bridge, Pont Valentré, is a UNESCO World Heritage site; it’s an incredibly picturesque town to explore. The surrounding Cahors vineyards are world-famous and produce some of the best Malbec and Syrah varieties – be sure to visit a vineyard or two during your stay.
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!
