There is a magical, almost magnetic, quality about the area around the River Lot. The dramatic limestone cliffs, the rivers running down from the Massif Central to their eventual destination in the sea, the waterfalls and the distant views that drew early man to settle here, all exert a similar pull on everyone who visits the region. The Quercy region around the Lot has traffic free roads and is less crowded than its neighbour, the Dordogne. It also boasts cave paintings, fine river views and wonderful wine, so deep red it is described, since medieval times, as black.

This is an area that is rich in many ways; scenery, agriculture, food, caves and other prehistoric sites, chateaux, medieval villages and attractive towns. If you like to drive just where your fancy takes you then this is the region. Wherever you choose to stop you can be sure there will be something to catch your eye, whether it is a pretty waterside village, a majestic castle perched on a hill, a cave or simply a lively local market or restaurant. When you first see villages such as St.Cirq-Lapopie, set high on a cliff, with all its turrets and towers overlooking the winding River Lot - which, when full, runs almost blood-red with sandstone - you begin to believe in fairy stories.

We provide folders containing information on all the places of interest for you to visit. There is also an information folder on things to do and see that will keep the children occupied for weeks. Books and maps are available showing way marked paths for walking and cycling.

Fishing - For the fisherman, a holiday in the Lot region provides plenty of opportunities for the sport. You will need a temporary licence, which is available at most 'tabacs'. Trout, roach, perch, bream and carp are the local fish.

Festivals and Fairs - Nearly every town and village celebrates its own saint's day with a fair, which is typically rounded off with a firework display. There are also annual fairs, such as the Cénac wine festival, the harvest festival in Gourdon, Rocamadour pilgrims' week, Cahors blues festival and Sarlat theatre festival. Figeac and St.Céré usually have concerts and music, dance and folklore festivals each year in July and August.

Bastides - The countryside of the South West France is dotted with 'bastides'; ancient towns, later fortified in the Middle Ages for defensive purposes. Bastides are instantly recognisable by their pattern of three longer straight roads criss-crossed by smaller ones. The market place is usually at the centre, and the town is walled.

Architecture - The old houses are one of the region's greatest attractions. Traditionally built from local stone that seems to glow in the sunlight, they usually had space for animals on the ground floor and living rooms on the first floor. The top floor was reserved for drying tobacco and preserving foodstuffs. Dovecots are a common sight and are mostly balanced on square stone pillars. Pigeons were kept mainly for manure, very important for the land; hence the height of the dovecots.

CAHORS - in its superb setting with towers, belfries, old houses and bridges, the Cathedral City of Cahors is only 15 minutes drive away. The town is famous for the fine twin-domed Cathédrale St-Étienne and the magnificent Pont Valentré. This bridge with its three 40metre high towers and seven spans, is a 14th century engineering masterpiece and one of the most photographed monuments in France. Boulevard Gambetta , the main street, is lined with plane trees, cafes and shops. It has a busy, bustling and vibrant atmosphere and as a tourist centre is an excellent starting point for tours of the Célé and Lot Valleys. Throughout the summer there are numerous festivals with exhibitions, spectacles, drama, dancing, music and fireworks. The attractive market is piled high with local produce; walnuts, fruits, flowers, honey, cheese, bread, wholesome vegetables of every description and, of course, the ducks and geese for which the area is renowned.

Just a short drive away is one of the prettiest villages in France, St.Cirq-Lapopie, occupying a most remarkable setting overlooking the Lot Valley. The timber-framed houses are packed close in steep, shady, cobbled medieval lanes. A number of artisans such as potters, leather workers, silk screeners now live here adding a picturesque attraction.

Combine a trip here with a visit to the famous caves of Peche Merle. This prehistoric site beneath the steep cliffs just outside Cabrerets contains some of France's most interesting caves. You can walk through huge chambers and corridors for 2km or so, gazing at amazing evidence of man's occupation; drawings, paintings and etchings of bison, mammoth, horses and people. There are also prehistoric footprints on the floors and handprints on the walls. These large, accessible caves are decorated with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

The spectacular village of Rocamadour is, rated by the French, as the second most visited historic sight in France after the Eiffel Tower. The superb views of this, medieval, town, clamped to a sheer rock face, is an unforgettable memory. It is dominated by its 14th century castle, which is reached from the village by a steep winding path marked by the Stations of the Cross. A lift is available for those not up to the climb. For hundreds of years pilgrims have flocked here to pay homage to the Vierge Noire, carved out of walnut wood. The narrow main street is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants and is the ideal place to find those memorable gifts to take home. Although the village gets very congested in peak season and is highly commercialised, it is still a marvellous place to visit.

Not far from Rocamadour is the Gouffre de Padirac. This hugh crater, 90m in width and depth, was originally caused by the collapse of a cave. Through it flows a subterranean river. After descending by a lift you can take a boat trip through the floodlit limestone caves.

A drive of 45 minutes will take you to the medieval town of Sarlat with its honey-coloured buildings, towers, turrets and gables, alleys and courtyards. A small market town, Sarlat's charm not only lies in the preservation of these magnificent ancient buildings and its maze of narrow medieval streets but in the total feel of the place. The Saturday market here is famous and one of the best in the area. It spreads over many streets and all the riches of Périgord Noir, including truffles, chicken, geese and other livestock, can be bought here.

To the West lies the market town of Figeac, sprawled out along the Right Bank of the Célé, it is the only town of any size on the river. The old quarter has preserved its medieval town plan with narrow alleyways revealing corbelled towers, ancient doorways and well preserved spiral staircases.

Follow the river eastwards from Cahors and you will be in real wine growing country. A good place to stop for lunch is
Puy l'Eveque down by the river. This picturesque town, with its golden-stone houses stretching down to the banks of the Lot is dominated by the church and the castle keep. Situated on the official wine route between Cahors and Fumel, the fertile, red soil of the area produces what many experts agree are the best wines of Cahors.

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK

Cahors Wine - The local wine is a very distinctive deep red. These rich, red wines are usually matured for three years in oak casks. The lower slopes of the Lot valley, west of Cahors, are the main growing area, since they are the hottest in the area. In addition to wine, the area produces a range of strong eau-de-vie, made from walnuts or plums.

Foie Gras - Geese and ducks are a common sight and they feature on practically every menu in one way or another. Foie gras has been popular, particularly in this region, since the 15th century and is often made into paté.

Confit of duck or goose is another local speciality in which the wings or legs are preserved in their own fat. The confit was the traditional way of preserving geese before refrigeration was invented.

Truffles - Probably the most expensive vegetable in the world, truffles are an edible fungus that grows underground close to the roots of certain trees, especially oaks. They are harvested between December and February, when gourmets and chefs from around the world descend on the region for the truffle hunt. Truffles are featured in many regional dishes, but nowadays only thin shavings are used as a little is said to go a long way. The tiny village of Lalbenque, just south of Cahors, is internationally renowned for its truffle market.

Walnuts - Perigord and Quercy are France's second largest producer of walnuts. During October and November many towns hold walnut markets. Walnut oil is the chief ingredient of the local salad dressing and is also widely used for cooking. In the Lot, Marbot and Grandjean walnuts are often sold broken for making bread, cakes or oil. Many restaurants serve walnut bread with cheese. Walnut mousse is also popular.

Chestnuts - this is another much prized local product. Even the smallest village shop sells canned 'marrons glacés'.

Cabecou - Many a meal ends with the local goat's cheese, a delicious soft creamy young cheese. The 'Rocamadour' was granted an Appellation Controlée a couple of years ago.

T R A V E L

BY ROAD - Cahors is connected to Paris, Toulouse or Carcassonne by motorway. We are situated just a few minutes drive away from the exit Cahors Nord.