Gite cottage which sleeps 4/6 people.

Iona and Stefan Spencer

iona.spencer@tiscali.co.uk

Tel: +33 (0) 565 21 68 25

or

Tel: +44 (0) 1737 76 78 70

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Testimonials

The Midi Pyrenees is often described as having the most historic and unspoilt attractions within France, due to its many medieval villages, and breathtaking scenery of deep valleys and rivers. Daytime temperatures can range between 18c to 30c in summer, ideal for exploring the local countryside. With it’s Castles and hill top towns it is an amazing part of South West France. The region has long hot summers and mild winters, and due to the size of the Lot River, the area stays fertile, helping the production of award winning Cahors wines. Vineyards are everywhere! There are plenty of activities to do in this part of France and especially places of interest to visit. This area has a strong prehistoric presence attested to by cave paintings such as at Pech-Merle, and caves in Padirac. A few of the historic sites are listed below;

Set amongst the famous Cahors vineyards of the Midi Pyrenees is the historic 13th Century village of Puy L’Eveque, or ‘Hill of the Bishop’ which overlooks the river Lot. The Bishop of Cahors ruled here with his knights living on the slopes below.

The 15 th Century fortified Castle Bonaquil was one of the last Chateau-forts to be built in France. It’s builder, Berenger de Roquefuil, made it impregnable and able to withstand firearms, Although never attacked in war, it was partly demolished at the time of the revolution.

12 th Century Rocamadour is a sacred place of pilgrimage and built halfway up the side of a cliff. Reports of miracles occurring by the grace of it’s Black Madonna and the shrine attracted ever larger crowds of pilgrims, saints and Kings such as Henry Plantagenet, St. Dominic, St. Bernard, Philip IV (the fair) and Louis XI. The site was plundered in the 100 years and again in the war of religion.

Cahors , the capital of the Lot department, is built on the inside of a tight loop of the river Lot, and was a prosperous university and commercial city in the Middle Ages. In the 13 th Century it was the banking centre of Europe. Cahors has many attractions, the 14th century Pont Valentre, is one of the finest examples of medieval defensive architrave in France. Its reputation deterred the English in the 100 years war, and Henri IV in 1580.

St.-Cirq-Lapopie is sited at the top of white cliffs and the whole of this village is classed as an historic monument. These old stone houses have a wonderful view of the valley below. Both Andre Breton (poet, critic and essayist) and the painter Henri Martin lived here.

Wining and Dining

Three slow, green rivers flow through the departement of the Lot, the Dordogne (to the north), the Lot itself (in the south), and the less well-known Cele. All three form picturesque valleys as they wander and loop eccentrically between densely wooded slopes, limestone cliffs and fertile riverbank farmland. In the southwest there are large vineyards producing the very dark red wine of the Cahors appellation d’origine controllée (AOC). The local wines are made with a mixture of Malbec (very dark, rich in tannins, strong aroma), Merlot (softens the wine) and Tannat (helps with the aging process and higher levels of alchohol and grapes). Puy L’Eveque has more than 30 vineyards close by, some are mentioned below:

Domaine La Paganie, La Pagaganie, 46700 Puy L’Eveque

Domaine Du Boscas, Triguedina, 46700 Puy L’Eveque

Domaine De La Presqu’ile, Toirac, 46700 Puy L’Eveque

Chateau La Reyne, Leygues, 46700 Puy L’Eveque

Clos Triguedina, Triguedina, 46700 Puy L’Eveque

Domaine de l’Antenet, Courbenac (organic), 46700 Puy L’Eveque

Chateau Gautoul , Meaux, 46700 Puy L’Eveque

Chateau Laur, Le Bourg, 46700 Floressas

Chatueau Chambert, 46700 Floressas

Domaine Du Colombrier, Garique,4700 Vire Sur Lot

Chateau Croze De Pys, Vire, 46700 Vire Sur Lot

Chateau Cantelauze, Cantelaluze, 46700 Duravel

Restaurants

Local cuisine is both very fresh and inexpensive. France is famous for it’s cuisine for good reason. We have a number of restaurants within and around Puy L’Eveque, a sample are shown below;

Restaurants (prices roughly per head, less for children)