Between Perigord and Quercy and near to the well known 13th century fortified castles of Biron and Bonaquil is situated the charming and stylish "Residence du Mayne". Featuring exposed wooden beams, wood panelling and handcrafted furniture this rustic and quiet location is but a few minutes drive of a number of pretty villages, such as Penne d’Agenais, with its restaurants and markets.  A little further on are the bigger towns of Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Agen, on the Garonne, with more sophisticated shops and restaurants. The village is situated a few miles away from the border of the historic Cahors wine appellation which offers excellent wine at bargain prices – a fact that is quickly being rediscovered. The wine areas of Bergerac and Monbazillac are also nearby, and many vineyards are open to the public for tasting. Some Bordeaux vineyards are within 1½ hours’ drive and the vineyards of St Emillion and Margaux are an easy day trip.

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The department of Lot lies to the south of the Dordogne region between Auvergne and Périgord and is one of France's most appealing regions. It has wide, gentle valleys and fertile plains but is dominated by the Causses, a mountainous area whose rocky limestone plateaux cover two-thirds of the district.

In places, the River Lot has cut deep paths through the Causses twisting in a series of tortuous loops and leaving strips of green through the white wilderness. 

Tucked away between tobacco fields and walnut groves, the many medieval villages of Lot are among the finest and most picturesque in France as are its historic townships and bastides like Montcuq and Castelnau. In this large area of France (known as Aquitaine) and ruled in historic times by the English, these bastide villages were built to resist the ravages of roaming armies and were easy to defend.  In addition to sightseeing, there are several activities to which the Lot lends itself: fishing, canoeing, swimming, tennis and horse-riding are all available nearby as well as exploring the splendid grottoes and underground caverns (notably the sensational Gouffre de Padirac which one explores partly by boat and partly on foot). 

Throughout the summer there are fetes close by of every description, from horse fairs to garlic fairs and wine markets to bric-a-brac.  Active visitors will find interest and excitement in boat trips on the Lot and Dordogne rivers, 

Some 40 kms away are Domme, Cahors, Sarlat and les Eyzies, the latter with its famous pre-history museum, and the châteaux of Bonaguil, Biron, Mirandes, Boudeilles and Castelnaud, with its museum of medieval warfare including a full size working siege catapult. 

Chateaux de Bonaguil

This magnificent  feudal castle was built on a rocky outcrop by Berenger de Roqueteuil was one of the last fortresses built in the 15th  century . Construction over 40 years it was built to resist any invasion and was never attacked. 

       Sarlat  - turreted houses and 17th-century town hall

Chateaux de Biron

The nearby hamlet is renown for its splendid castle built from the 11th-18th century for the Gontaut Biron family. Its magnificent vaulted kitchens, and a  superb uninterrupted vista make a visit well worth while.

A visit to Cahors, the capital is a must. A large tourist office in the centre of the town will help you to plan your visit to all the interesting sites Cahors has to offer, including the famous Pont Valentre bridge noted for its outstanding architectural design and fascinating folklore.

The Pont Valentre bridge at Cahors

The unforgettable village of St. Cirq La Popie is also definitely worth a visity and is an absolute delight. Set perched on a hill overlooking the River Lot, the narrow streets are lined with dwellings which offer local artisans' work from leather goods to jewellery, and cafes and restaurants in which to stop and refresh oneself before ascending to the highest view point over the villages, roads and river below.

Close by to St. Cirq is Cabrerets where the famous Grotte du Peche Merle is found. Here you can witness one of the most beautiful legacies left to Europe by the painters and engravers among our prehistoric ancestors. Human figures, mammoths, bison, horses and other animals are found on the walls of these caves and human footprints can be seen at the bottom of a dry pool! As well as Stalactites and Stalagmites cave pearls or pisolites have formed - specks of grain or gravel carried down by the water and coated with calcite and polished by the running water which continues today.

Further sites of Pre-History can be found by a visit to Rocamadour  and its famous Rock - approximately 60 kms away. The village, built into the hillside, can be visited by using the little train which travels up and down the village for those less energetic, stopping at the shops and cafes. Leading from the village to the spiritual heart of the old city is the Grand Escalier with 216 steps! The Abbots' Palace, formerly the palace of the Bishops of Tulle has been well restored and well worth a visit.

The university city of Toulouse (1.5 hours) with its international airport, offers everything one would expect from a large city. With its beautiful historic centre, Toulouse is one of the most vibrant and metropolitan provincial cities in France. From the great square of Place du Capitol the lanes of shops spiral out and are great fun to explore.  The tourist office is just behind the Place du Capitol.

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