In the Lot department of southern France, very close to the border of Tarn-et-Garonne, Domaine Fabriges enjoys a beautiful countryside location set in four acres of gardens and woodland with seventy acres of working farmland beyond.
The nearest airport is Toulouse just 85km away whilst Brive and Bergerac Airports are also worth considering. There are TGV train services from Paris Montparnasse to Montauban (29km) taking just under four hours.
The nearest village is around 4km by car, a good place to stop off for a coffee after picking up fresh bread, whilst there is a Spar supermarket just outside the village. The bastide town of Castelnau-Montratier is an attractive spot for lunch after admiring the historic squares, medieval houses and church. The weekly market takes place on a Sunday morning. In the height of the summer look out a Wednesday evening night market.
Elsewhere, enjoy the picturesque drive to the pretty old village of Montcuq (25km) which attracts many visitors on a Sunday morning for its bustling market. Indeed, across the spring, summer and autumn you will find a variety of markets across the region – look out for green asparagus and spring strawberries (gariguettes) as well as some wonderful brocantes and vide-greniers dotted around.
Heading north, Cahors (34km) is a beautiful medieval town with upmarket shops, a fantastic twice-weekly market, several good restaurants and cafes as well as hidden gardens and handsome architecture including its grand cathedral and Pont Valentre, a 14th-century bridge which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vineyards surrounding Cahors produce some of the best wine in the world.
From Cahors you can take a boat excursion all the way to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (46km) or you can drive there in just under an hour. This ancient cliffside village by the banks of the Lot is especially loved by artists. It was once on the French pilgrim route and visitors flock to the gorgeous village every summer.
Further south by the Tarn River, Moissac (31km) has an impressive monastery which was visited by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella – after visiting, stop off for lunch on the shady church square by the magnolia trees.
Another fantastic day out includes the wonderful city of Toulouse (83km), also known as ‘La Ville Rose’ thanks to the pink stone used to create many of its buildings. Meanwhile, some of the Lot-et-Garonne’s picture-perfect villages include Tournon-d'Agenais (51km), Penne-d'Agenais (62km), Pujols (74km) and the bastide town of Monflanqun (76km), officially classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
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!
