 
You are spoilt
for choice if you want to explore wonderful historic towns and
villages. The Lot and neighbouring departments, the Correze, Cantal
and Aveyron all have their own identity. From our Bed & Breakfast
you have easy access to each of these departments and the chance
to experience the very different cultures that have evolved.
Locally and
within a few kilometres of each other are the pretty medieval villages
of Loubressac, Autoire, Carrenac, Curemonte, Collonges, Cardaillac
and Turenne, all members of "Les
Plus Beaux Villages de France" . Each member of the association
has been rigorously selected on the quality of their architecture,
environment, and patrimony.
St.
Céré (left)
our local town is a typical market town with a lovely historic
centre. Guests often comment how friendly and unaffected by
tourism St. Céré is despite it fast becoming
a centre for tourists to explore the surrounding area.There
are restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes and a "real" French
market where you can buy anything from lovely cheeses and bread
to pots and pans or a brand new bed if you have room in the
car!St. Céré has a lovely outdoor swimming pool
and several tennis courts and just a short distance outside
a proper 9 hole golf course beside the Chateau de Montal.There
are a good selection of shops including supermarkets if you
need to stock up on anything.
 Autoire
The manor
of Latoque and the château of Limargue below the village.
At the top, the Castle of Peyrusse de Banze, late 16th c, rises
up above the brown-tiled roofs of the village. Autoire is located
in a very beautiful valley which eventually leads to the spectacular
cascades. For the energetic, a walk climbs the side of the valley
to offer far-reaching views and the chance to see a wealth of
wild flowers and the birds of prey that circle above the village.
 Carennac
One of the most picturesque villages in
France, overlooking the Dordogne, Carennac has hardly changed
since the 16th century. The fine romanesque church Saint-Pierre
has a stunning 12th century tympanum. The cloisters were rebuilt
in the 15th century following the Hundred Years War. Stroll around
the tiny streets with their leaning houses and over-hanging wooden
balconies before lunch at the delightful creperie.
 Figeac
The riverside town of Figeac has a wonderful market every Saturday
morning. Founded by Bendictine Monks, the picturesque old quarter
has many houses dating from the 12th to 18th century. A prosperous
medieval town, it was an important stopping place for pilgrims
travelling to Santiago de Compestella.
 Rocamadour
Listed as the second most visited site in
France, it can get quite busy in the summer but nevertheless it
is worth the trip. Built into limestone cliffs with its medieval
houses, abbey and castle clinging precariously to the sides, overlooking
the gorge of the Alzou valley, Rocamadour is a major pilgrimage
site. Built between the 11th and 13th centuries the Cite Religieuse
is a cluster of seven chapels and churches. The English King Henry
II came here to repent for the murder of Thomas a Beckett. His
son pillaged it to pay his soldiers and died soon afterwards in
nearby Martel.
Martel
Also know as the village with seven towers,
Martel is definitely one of our favourites. The wonderfully preserved
centre boasts many medieval buildings, notably in the Rue de
Four-Bas which leads to the 13th to 16th century church Saint-Maur.
On the Place des Consuls is the Palais de la Raymondie built
around 1280 and the remarkable covered market with a chesnutwood
framework and stone pillars - the old cereal measures can still
be seen to one side.
Loubressac
The streets in bloom lead to a square in the
shade where the 12 and 14 th c church rises. The village offers a vast
view of the Dordogne and Bave valleys. Many trekking paths start from
Loubressac to all the other hamlets in the vicinity. Also close by
are the Caves at Padirac which are open to the public and contain underwater
lakes and interesting cave formations.
 Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Just inside the border of the Correze but only
30 minutes drive from the house, Beaulieu has one of the prettiest
river frontages along the Dordogne. You can take a boat trip along
the river or watch the many artists that set up their easels along
the river bank to paint the wonderful reflections in the river.
 Turenne
Between the remains of the castle and of the
walls, a square keep and the round tower of Caesar still survive. Rich
sandstone mansions lean up against the fortress. There are also 15th
c rich mansions with pepper-mill shape towers. 2 religious monuments
can be visited: a 16th c college church and chapelle des Capucins.
 Salers
Salers is one of the wonders of the Cantal. Its buildings are typical
of a village established in the 15th c. with fragments remaining
of the ancient walls and gates. The houses with “poivriere” roofs
are flanked by corbelled towers. The road from Salers to Puy Mary
is spectacular with immense views across the high mountains.
 Argentat
A few kilometres upstream from Beaulieu,
this village also has a picture postcard quay with cafes and restaurants.
From here you can venture further up the Dordogne and follow its
route as it carves its way through the steep valleys. There is
a marvellous "street music" festival in Argentat each
summer.
 If
the above are not enough to keep you occupied there are even more
wonderful places to visit, including:
Cahors is
the fascinating capital city of the Lot department with its famous
medieval bridge the "Pont de Valentre" and the centre
of the AOC wine region named after the town. Ever wondered who
the "Gambetta" was that has a road named after him
in virtually every French town? Well he is Cahors' most famous
son, the one-eyed lawyer who during the Franco-Prussian War escaped
in a hot-air balloon from the seige of Paris.
A recommended day trip in the car visits Figeac and then follows the
beautiful valley of the Lot river passing a number of interesting villages
to reach the picture-postcard medieval village of St
Cirq Lapopie. A very popular destination, this village
rises above the river and contains many well preserved buildings and
a number of interesting artisan shops. The return journey follows the
equally dramatic valley of the Cele river and passes through the historic
village of Marcilhac.
For a different
day out, the Lot has many spectacular caves open to the public.
These aren't just dark holes in the ground but massive networks
of caverns with extraordinary rock formations. The entrance to
the giant Gouffre
de Padirac is an impressive hole in the ground 77m
deep and 99m in circumference and an underground boat ride takes
you to the Grand Dome cavern which is 91m from top to bottom. A
little further afield is the Grotte
de Pech Merle, one of the finest Prehistoric sites
in France. The paintings are as remarkable as Lascaux but here
you can see them in the original!
If you visit
Rocamadour, then we thoroughly recommend the bird
of prey centre "Rocher des Aigles". Normally
we don't support captive wild animals but this centre has an outstanding
history of breeding endangered raptors and returning them to the
wild. Plus the flying display is one of the most breathtaking you
will see - guaranteed!
The "red" village
of Collonges in
the Correze and the remarkable village of Conques in
the Aveyron are both about 1 hour by car.
For those willing
to travel a little further you can reach the very popular towns
of Sarlat and Domme in
the Dordogne in about 90 minutes or even Bergerac in
about 2 hours. For a complete change we can strongly recommend
a trip into the Cantal to see the stunning "Parc
Naturel Regional des Volcans" with its extinct volcanoes
such as the famous Puy Mary.
richard@jardin-segala.com
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