Paillas, Luxury Villa in France

The Lot valley region has a host of activitiies focusing on family, culture and gastronomy.

Outdoors

The Parc Naturel regional des Causses du Quercy dominates the region and offers mountain climbing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, cycling and cave exploration.   www.parc-causses-du-quercy.fr/

Horseback riding is available, and boats can be hired for excursions on the Lot river.

Ballooning near La Roque Gageac on the Dordogne (www.montgolfiere-du-perigord.com) and in Carnac-Rouffiac (airlibremongolfieres.free.fr)

Quad bikes can be hired from the Ford Garage at Montaigu de Quercy.

Parachute Jumping is available just outside Montaigu de Quercy.

Water Ski at Moissac www.moissac-skinautique.com

Canoeing and Kayaking - along the Lot, Garonne and Dordogne rivers, there are many places where canoes can be hired - for example Montayral, Catus, Fumel, Casseneuil, Puy l'Eveque, and Agen (on the Canal du Midi).

Golf

Castelnaud : 9 & 18 hole. Close to Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Good restaurant, swimming and tennis courts for families.
Espalais : 18 hole. Between Valence d'Agen and Auvillar.
Agen : 9 hole course
Roucous : Sauveterre 9 hole. Close to Lauzerte. Tennis court and swimming pool for families of golfers with a good club house restaurant.

Visit the amazing caves, Gouffre de Padriac, which has underground at 103 meters a river flowing through, where you take a short boat ride. Be sure to bring some warm clothing. The caves are just north of Cahors www.gouffre-de-padirac.com

Family fun

Parc Walibi near Agen is large waterpark with thrill rides set on 30 hectares of lush greenery that is popular with children and adults alike.  www.walibi-aquitaine.fr

Parc-en-Ciel has rope courses laid out linking the trees (ranging for those suitable for 3 year olds and up to the thrill seeking adult). Also on site is an adventure playground, a mini golf course, a small farm and a snail museum.  www.parc-en-ciel.com

Culture

Château Bonaguil was built in the 13th century and was restructured in the 15th and 16th centuries and is perfectly sited on a steep, rocky outcrop. This historical castle is worth a visit.  www.bonaguil.org

Visit Moissac with its Romanesque abbey and cloisters and weekend market. Valence d’Agen is worth a visit especially on Tuesday mornings, which is market day, the local produce is excellent. Agen, famous for its prunes is also worth a visit. There is a main street of fashionable shops plus many restaurants and bars. An indoor market with local produce is worth a visit as well.

Plus Beaux Villages

There are a few notable awarded "Plus beaux Villages" (very beautiful villages) in the area, such as Lauzerte, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, and Rocamadour.

Lauzerte is a historic bastide or fortified village and can trace its origins back to the signing of the village charter in 1241 by the Count of Toulouse. As a stronghold, Lauzerte governed the surrounding area up until the 18th century. It was an established stopping off point on the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela, with many modern travellers still following the same route to this day.
 
Saint-Cirq Popopie is a beautiful medieval village perched on the edge of a cliff over looking the Lot River and valley. Aside from the stunning scenery, you will find some very nice boutique shops here as well as some great restaurants with typical French and Quercy cuisine.
 
Rocamadour

Rocamadour s France’s second most visited attraction after Le Mont St-Michel. This magical town with golden houses clinging to the side of a cliff over the Alzou canyon is a must see. Take in the Gouffres du Padirac famous caves with a boat ride through the ancient caves. Visit Sarlat the medieval town of the Dordogne with its famous Saturday market. In the evening the town has a romantic feel about it with the portrait artists outside the Cathedral St Sacerodos.

A popular day out is kayaking on the River Dordogne with a picnic lunch on the banks admiring the medieval towns and open countryside

www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org