Self Catering/B&B - South West France, Lot Region

Local Information

Girard is a hamlet of the village of Duravel. It is situated between Villeneuve Sur Lot and Cahors. The 'Two valleys' consists of 6 villages: Duravel, Cassagnes, Montcabrier, Saint Martin le Redon, Soturac and Touzac, stretching from the Lot valley and the Theze Valley, bordering the Quercy, Perigord (Dordogne) and the Agenais through forests, vineyards and rolling hills and waterways.

Our particular geographical location, situated at the crossroads of the Lot, the Lot et Garonne, the Tarn et Garonne and the Dordogne will enable you to discover numerous sites such as Bonaguil Castle, the Dordogne Valley and it's castles, Cahors, Rocamadour, Saint Cirq Lapopie, Sarlat, Domme as well as the Paleolithic caves of Lascaux and Pech Merle.

You will be able to appreciate the rich architectural and cultural heritage of the region, taste the wine and enjoy local cooking and regional products.

2008 Area Festivities and Attractions

Tour De France

Rocamadour Cheese Festival

Lot Area

Eating and Drinking

There are numerous restaurants in the area. Below is a list and intended as a very rough guide only. It is a good idea to book in advance for most restaurants. All serve traditional French food, with some supplementing a local menu with additional dishes such as Pizza etc.

La Recreation, Les Arques - 0565 22 88 08
L'Auberge Poule au Pot, Goujounac - 0565 36 65 48
Cafe Restaurant la Terrasse, Grezels, - 0565 21 34 03
Hotel Bellevue, Puy L'Eveque - 0565 36 06 60
La Table de Venue, Prayssac - 0565 22 47 10
Ma Chaumiere, Prayssac - 0565 22 40 52
Restaurant de la Mairie, Duravel - 0565 36 50 39

Facilities and Activities

Plenty of activities are available in the area, from pleasure cruises along the river to canoeing! There are lakes located nearby where you can swim, fish, sunbathe, or hire a pedallo. There are plenty of horseriding stables in the area. Cycling in the Lot Region is popular and cycle hire is available locally. if cycling is a serious interest and you wish to bring your equipment with you, there are secure lockup facilities for your bikes.

Chateau de Bonaguil, a 15th Century fortress is just 20 minutes drive away. Duravel has a 11th century church and crypt where 3 saints are buried, there are also numerous historical bastides locally.

Surrounding Area

The area is surrounded by local vineyards, most of which are open for the direct sale of wine. The nearest is Le Clos D'Un Jour, is just a 10 minute walk away.

The second most visited tourist site in France is Rocamadour. Absolutely beautiful, being built in the side of a rockface. It is located in the Lot region and is absolutely well worth a visit. The local villages of Puy L'Eveque, St. Cirq Lapopie, Tournon d'Agenais, Prayssac, Cahors with it's fine wines and Pont Valentre Bridge, another must see area.

Charming, sleepy villages are not hard to find, all offering a little something special, from local markets and fine cuisine, to well known tourist attractions.

Boating on the Lot River

Come and glide down the quiet waters of the Lot River and succumb to the charms of the Cahors vineyards, not to mention the castles and villages dotted everywhere along the valley: Puy L'Eveque, Luzech, Douelle, Bouzies, St. Cirq Lapopie, Cajarc.

Alone or with a crew, aboard a passenger boat, a house boat or just a canoe, let the river's history flow past you from meander to meander. For, from the 13th century onwards, many small boats plied between Quercy and the Agen district and the little villages beside the Lot still bear witness to this intense activity.

No licence is required to hire a boat. Houseboats, motorboats, canoe-kayak can be hired from Puy L'eveque, Luzech, Cahors, Douelle and Bouzies. The Navigable stretch of the Lot is from Albas to Cregols, with further plans to open up more stretches in the very near future. This is becoming a very popular alternative method of holidaying in the Lot.

Boating Links

Locaboat

Babou Marine

Crown Blue Line

Lot - LeBoat

Cycling Holidays

The Lot Region is famous for it's cycling routes and trails. Winding roads, steep hills and deep valley's are in abundance in this area. Part of the route for this years Tour de France passed nearby. La Maison Bleue has secure facilities in which to store your bikes.