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Walking Holiday Comments

"The mellow autumn landscape of the Lot makes it an ideal time of year to walk here. The sun catches the stone, making the wonderfully golden farmhouses and barns blend with the autumn colours.
Have thoroughly enjoyed the walking, foraging for walnuts and figs en route, and tasting the grapes picked straight from the vines!
The walks to St Cirq Lapopie and Rocamadour are the highlights, with their dramatic limestone gorges and perched towns at the end.
John's careful planning, foolproof maps and the inclusion of visits to other tourist attractions, all contributed to an extremely enjoyable experience.
Mas de Flory is a beautiful, tranquil haven and we've been made very welcome. Aileen's vegetarian cooking is without equal and a rare find - especially in France. I've never enjoyed such a variety of dishes and flavours - of course complimented by the great Cahors wine!"
Fiona, Aberdeen, Scotland

"What a super holiday: it's been so very pleasant walking through the limestone gorges, along farm and forest tracks, across the old pilgrim and resistance routes; picking our own picnics of figs, walnuts and grapes and feasting every evening on Aileen's fabulous four-course dinners.
We've had a wonderful introduction to this lovely unspoilt and tranquil region , both from the car on our journeys to and from the walks as well as on foot.
Thank you both for making our stay so memorable."
Christine, Aberdeen, Scotland

"Good walks, great food and wine, I've had a great time and am already looking forward to returning!"
Eddie, Milton Keynes, UK

Photos from Oct Walking Tour



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walking holiday france

French walking holiday

walking holiday Rocamadour

walking holiday St Cirque Lapopie

walking holiday Dordogne

 

 

 


  
 
 

Walking holidays
in the Lot and Dordogne

We are offering a series of walking holidays in spring and autumn of 2010.

The walks are designed around the most spectacular and interesting sites of the Lot  and Dordogne including Rocamadour, Sarlat, Domme, Beynac, St Cirque Lapopie plus you will visit a selection of vineyards on the Cahors wine trail where you can partake of a little of the fantastic 'black wine'! .

Our holidays are ideal for anyone who enjoys walking in quiet countryside with plenty of time to explore and discover the beautiful landscapes, interesting historical sites and fantastic gastronomy of this varied and unspoilt region.

Come and enjoy a 7 day/6 night walking holiday at Mas de Flory. We'll plan and take care of everything for you. You just get to relax and enjoy a varied and interesting holiday with fabulous food and wine in a wonderful setting.

The following itinerary gives you an idea of what to expect:

Day 1:
Arrive at either Bergerac airport or Gourdon rail station and we'll meet you and drive you to beautiful Mas de Flory - your 'home' for the week.
Settle into your spacious and airy room (with luxury ensuite shower room), then relax and enjoy a glass of bubbly on the terrace while you meet your fellow holiday guests. Later you'll all share a long, lazy, delicious 4-course meal with plenty of wonderful Cahors 'black wine'.

Day 2:
After a substantial continental breakfast we'll drive you to the River Dordogne for your starting point for a walk which follows the pilgrim route to Rocamadour.
Carved dramatically into the limestone cliffs, this ancient village clings precariously to the hillside, presenting a visually magical site. It has been a destination for religious pilgrims for the last thousand years and is now the site for a monastery as well as a point on the pilgrimage to St Jaques de Compostella in northern Spain. You'll have plenty of time to explore before we drive you back to Mas de Flory where you can relax before another great meal.

Day 3:
Visit some of the most popular historic sites of the region today - Sarlat, Domme, Roque Gageac and Beynac.
You'll walk the promenade en Bouriane along the old railway cutting in the heart of the Marcillande valley and into ancient Sarlat. Here you can visit the old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times; don't miss the streets around the cathedral and the streets to the north of the old town - you will soon become lost in the maze of narrow lanes, with something new to see around every corner.
After lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants in Sarlat, we'll drive you back through pretty Domme, a 12th century, perfectly preserved bastide village perched high above the River Dordogne.
Then you'll see the spectacular, historic riverside settlement of La Roque Gageac, carved into the rocky hillside, followed by a walk up the narrow cobbled streets to the magnificent Chateau de Beynac (one time seat of Richard the Lionheart), towering high on the cliff top overlooking the river.

Day 4:
Today you'll follow the Cahors wine trail and visit the vineyards of the wonderful AOC Cahors 'black wine'.
You'll discover 'some of the secrets of this most noble and ancient red wine, meet some of the producers and shed some light on this hidden gem among French wines. Older than Bordeaux and with a reputation for darkness and strength it is the only French red wine to harness the power of the Malbec grape'.[from French Entree - read more here]
Meander your way around the patchwork of vineyards and wine chateaux stopping for a picnic lunch and wine tastings.

Day 5:
After going further afield yesterday, today you'll be staying closer to home with two local circular walking routes.
Explore the lovely local paths and bridleways which surround Mas de Flory and discover some amazing fauna and flora. There are many varieties of wild orchid in the Lot and part of the route de St Jaques de Compostelle passes by the house! You can enjoy a long ramble before returning for a picnic lunch on the terrace. You then have the option of taking a second route for the afternoon or just relaxing at 'home' if you prefer.

Day 6:
Today we'll see St Cirq Lapopie and walk along the pretty, scenic River Lot, east of Cahors.
The route there takes you along the GR 36/46 from St Gery, across the river to the pretty village of Bouzies, along paths dramatically hewn from the overhanging rock, and winding it's way gradually up hill to the amazing St Cirq Lapopie.
Beloved of artists and photographers, it is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France. It's main street winds steeply down between ancient houses, past the pinnacle of rock once crowned with a fortress and commanding amazing views over the valley.

st. cirq walking holiday

Day 7:
Departure day and after a leisurely breakfast we’ll take you to Gourdon rail station or Bergerac airport to meet your homeward connection.
We wish you bonne route and hope you enjoyed your stay - a bientot!

This is a small group holiday with a maximum of 8 places.
The price of this 7 day/6 night holiday, for all the following 2010 dates, is £695 per person:

  • Thursday 1st April - Wed 7th April (Easter)
  • Saturday 24th April - Fri 30th April
  • Sunday Oct 3rd - Sat Oct 9th
This price includes:
  • detailed walking routes, maps and guidance notes; transport to and from walking start and finish points.
  • accommodation, all breakfasts and 4-course evening meals as described in Rooms and Food
  • transfers to and from Bergerac airport or Gourdon rail station;

    • Please contact us for current availability.

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    Beynac_walking_holiday
    Chateau Beynac towering over the Dordognealking to St Cirq Lapopie Following the River Lot to St Cirq Lapopie Path of St Jaques de Compostelle near Mas de flory Views from the walk to stunning Rocamadour Walking near Mas de Flory Walking tour of the beautiful Bouriane Cahors wine walking the vineyardsWalking among Malbec grapevines in a vineyardWalking holiday Chateau ChambertChateau Chambert producing Cahors 'Black wine' Cahors wine in oak barrelsChambert wine maturing in oak barrelsWalking in the Lot and Dordogne - Sarlat
    Walk the pretty streets of medieval SarlatSampling the wonderful Cahors 'black wine'!

     

     
     
    		  
    		 
    Useful links: Lot Tourism Offices Fishing Walking Routes chambresdhotesfrance n www.bedandbreakfasts.net