Relax and enjoy South West France and the Northern Lot.
Outings: Places To Visit
Click here for a Tourist map of the area.
Markets can be found in most nearby towns and villages on different days with stalls overflowing with locally grown fruits, scented strawberries, sweet
grapes, ripe red tomatoes, melons, peaches, apricots and of course not forgetting the locally grown garlic.
| Day | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Assier | Labastide-Murat Lacapelle-Mariva |
Assier | Labastide-Murat Lacapelle-Mariva |
| Tuesday | Gourdon Brive |
Gourdon Brive |
||
| Wednesday | St Céré | Sousceyrac | St Céré | |
| Thursday | Argentat Vayrac |
Gramat | Argentat Vayrac |
Gramat |
| Friday | Souillac Beaulieu |
St Sozy | Souillac Beaulieu |
St Sozy |
| Saturday | Cahors | Figeac | Cahors |
Sousceyrac is a large village with all amenities, verdant forests on the outlying hills of the Auvergne. The Church with its 14th century doorway and the Castle of Grugnac. It has a local farmers market on Sunday mornings in July & August and a Market fair on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Saint Cere is a lively market town with a Sunday morning market. Overlooked by the Towers of St. Laurent (Jean Lurcat workshop-museum), also nearby the 12th century Church of St. Sperie, the Castle of Montal in St. Jean-Lespinasse and the Presque Caves.
Tolerme Lake is 9km away from Sousceyrac where you can enjoy fishing, walking, bird watching, cycling, bathing and all kinds of water sports, there are also picnic areas, restaurants and bars.
Autoire is tucked in the hollow of a valley lined by impressive cliffs, the whole village; one of the most beautiful in France has real character, a 45m waterfall with a spectacular view of the Bave Valley.
Bretenoux is a 13th Century Bastide village with a remarkable square surrounded by arcades. Nearby is Castlenau Castle, one of the finest feudal castles in France.
Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne and its riverside town houses is certainly worthy of a visit, particularly on market days, when the lively atmosphere cannot fail to bring a smile to your face or maybe you could take a canoe along the beautiful Dordogne.
Cahors is the capital of the Lot and built on a isthmus. It has the only fortified bridge with three towers in the world. You should see the city nestling in a loop of the Lot from Mont St. Cye viewpoint or the Croix Magne, two sites accessible on foot or by car.
Douell was the biggest river centre in the Lot in the heart of the Cahors vineyards.
Figeac with its 15th and 17th century manor houses and the 14th century Chateau de Balene. The Egyptologist J.F. Champollion was born here and his birthplace has now become a museum.
Gourdon was the seat of the most powerful families in Quercy. Also worth a visit are the Cougnac prehistoric caves.
Grotte de Lascoux can be completed comfortably in a day. At Lascoux are the famous cave paintings of earliest man.
Gramat old town is very picturesque. Down in the Canyon of the Alzou, there are several abandoned mills including the Saut Mill with its attractive waterfall.
Gouffre de Padirac is a unique sight, a massive hole in the ground opening on to a collection of caves, stalactites and stalagmites. To visit you must take a lift or stairs to an underground river, 338 feet deep into the cave, from here you will be taken on a 600 yard boat trip to an underground lake, where the visit will start. Take a warm top to wear whilst underground. This trip is not recommended if you have difficulty walking, as there are numerous steps to negotiate.
Loubressac is another of the beautiful villages in France, this old settlement has a superb position overlooking the Bave Valley with exceptionally good panorama.
Prayssac is a small and particularly lively little town in the heart of the vineyards.
Rocamadour is the second most visited site in France after the Mont St. Michael. This famous picturesque town clings to the cliffs of the Alzou Canyon. You can park at the bottom and take a train ride into the town. Once a revered Christian site, Rocamadour is still a holy place for many pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela who climb the 140 step stone staircase leading to the Sanctuaries. There is an excellent view of the site from the Couzou road or from L´Hospitalet, two really outstanding viewpoints. Rocher de Aigles everyday demonstrations every hour of birds of prey in flight and more than one hundred very rare species of birds of prey from all over the world are on show. At Foret des Singes more than 130 monkeys live in total freedom and in direct contact with the public in a 50 acre forest. They are friendly and sociable as they look for popcorn given to you at the entrance. You can discover how they live and play as you walk around their world and take interest in the video room.
Sarlat is noted for its medieval buildings,interesting shops and streets. From here you are within easy reach of the river Dordogne and all picturesque towns and castles along its banks.
Truffadou is the old steam train, which used to take truffles from Martel. The line was built in 1880 then dismantled during World War I, and rebuilt again in 1918 using American rails. Since being restored by enthusiasts in 1997, it takes you on a 1½ hour round trip to Saint-Denis-Les-Martel on either steam or diesel train. The 7km line runs along impressive cliffs 260 feet high over the Dordogne and takes in the Courtils viaduct where you can enjoy a refreshing drink at the bar.
