Surrounding Area

(Click pictures to enlarge)

The village of Senaillac Lauzes close to the Gite provides a peaceful rural setting for those just wanting to "chill out" away from the pressures of every day life. The unspoilt countryside provides excellent habitat for rarer birds such as black kites, hoopoes and other species. 

Neighbouring villages provide amenities such as bakery, post office and village store. Local tradesmen visit the village weekly (eg, butcher, greengrocer, fishmonger). Detailed up to date local information is available at Fon Niove.

The small market town of Labastide Murat, 11km away, offers a small but well-stocked supermarket, pharmacy, bakery, butcher, bank with ATM and other local amenities. 

Activities nearby include cycling/mountain biking, walking, drawing and painting, birdwatching, canoeing/boating.

Further afield, Fon Niove provides the perfect base for those wanting to get out and about and explore this corner of South West France. Within a forty minute drive are:-

• Famous mediaeval hillside monastery of Rocamadour
• Prehistoric cave paintings at Peche Merle
• Underground boat rides at the Gouffre de Padirac, a swallowhole and underground river
• St Cirq La Popie, voted prettiest village in France
• Market towns of Gramat, Figeac and Gourdon.
• The open air museum of rural French life at Cuzals

The larger town of Cahors, again about 40 minutes drive, has larger supermarkets and further facilities as well as the famous Pont Valentre bridge and mediaeval cathedral. The vineyards of Cahors are to the west of the town.

To be taken to the tourist information website of the surrounding area click here

Each season has its attractions here. In Springtime, the dry stone walls which border almost every field and woodland are decked with wild honeysuckle, and the fields and verges are flamboyantly coloured by poppies and orchids. The enchanting song of the nightingale and glimpses of wild deer, hoopoes and wild boar are reminders of the richness of the fauna surrounding the house.

With temperatures often reaching 35°C in the Summer, the swimming pool at the Gite becomes the perfect place to relax and cool off. The balmy evenings are perfect for al fresco dining on the terrace, enjoying the wonderful sunsets, listening to the cicadas and admiring the immensity of the night sky. Fon Niove is lucky to be situated in the centre of the "Black Triangle" where the extremely low levels of light pollution allow a glimpse of infinity with the naked eye.

In Autumn the surrounding oak forests are a breathtaking riot of colour and it really is a walker's paradise. The early morning mists cling to the valleys in the distance giving the whole vista a magical feeling. This is the time of year for mushroom hunting in the local woods - cepes, chanterelles and who knows? perhaps you'll find some of the renowned "black gold" - truffles.

In the Winter, on exceptionally clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees can be seen on the distant horizon. Relish the welcoming smell of a real wood fire and a warm and comfortable haven to relax and unwind away from it all.