Holiday Cottages 4 U
Lot Valley
Set amidst the stunning topography of South Western France, the Lot Valley is becoming a popular holiday destination. Travel is recommended year round for the warm weather from March to October and the mild and calm winter months. The Lot Valley is a paradise for walkers, road or mountain bike enthusiasts - for which there is plenty of storage at both properties.
Close to both properties is the historical riverside town of Figeac with its Saturday markets and full range of shopping facilities. Wander round its narrow streets, enjoy a drink in the market square or a meal on the river, Figeac has something for everyone.
Activities nearby include canoeing on the Célé, the Lot or the Tarn rivers; horse riding; bird watching (numerous birds of prey to be seen); swimming; visiting the prehistoric caves at Lacave,Pech Merle or Foissac; enjoying the local villages and market towns; and of course exploring the better known hilltop and cliffside towns of Rocamadour, St Cirq Lapopie, Cordes sur Ciel and Najac to name but a few.
The contrast between the deep valleys and the high limestone plateaux 'the Causes' is absolutely charming and the whole region remains incredibly attractive all year round - from green and colourful to dry, rocky and still colourful!
You will be amazed at the amount of biking and hiking that can be done here without bumping into another soul and you will find that most of the villages have their own local walks or local maps tend to show all the tracks in detail - most of which were cart tracks in their day!
This large country with its abundance of wild deer, red squirrels, shy and unseen wild boar and soaring birds of prey is very different from the confines of England and yet should you want to do the tourist bit there is also a huge amount of history here, entertainment in the form of cinemas, theatres and large markets just 20 minutes away, and also fetes, fairs, 'brocantes' and music concerts start up in the spring.
Beautiful medieval towns all within easy reach include Figeac, Villefranche de Rouergue, Conques, Rocamadour, Cordes sur Ciel, Saint Cirq Lapopie, Najac and for the larger towns of historic interest you can add Toulouse, Rodez and Albi to this still incomplete list.
03 March 2008