Impressive Quercy Property with Swimming Pool

Vidalot details

Home description

Vidalot is an impressive Quercy house with a charming front 'pigeonnier'. Nestling into a hillside it is situated in 41 acres with extensive views across rolling countryside and offers guests total peace and tranquillity.

Although the house is secluded, the villages of Tournon and Montaigu are only five minutes drive. Nearest main town: Villeneuve-sur-Lot - 20 minutes.

Accommodation detail

Essential Information

• Sleeping capacity: 8
• Number of bedrooms: 4
• Swimming pool: 12x6m (heated at extra charge - fenced & alarmed).
• Individual house.
• Nearest shopping: 4km.
• Facilities: Washing machine, Dishwasher, Microwave, CD/cassette player, Telephone, Table-tennis, BBQ.
• Activities: Tennis 4km, Fishing 4km, Golf 30km, Bike hire 6km, Horseriding 5km.

Accommodation

All on one level with entrance through the 'pigeonnier' into:

• Sitting room/dining room with French doors to the long terrace with wonderful views over countryside and the pool.
• Fitted kitchen with fridge/freezer, gas cooker and microwave. Rear door with access to gardens.
• The main double bedroom has a shower and basin.
• Double bedroom with basin.
• Two twin bedrooms
• Bathroom with basin and WC.
• Shower room with basin and WC.

Full central heating.

Outside

The heated pool (heated at an extra charge) is situated below the house, is fenced and alarmed and has a paved terrace. The barn to the rear of the pool has a table-tennis table and additional fridge.

About the location

So Much To See, So Much To Do, So Much To Enjoy

Pinpointing the Location: The Lot Valley, Bas Quercy, Occitania, Aquitaine and Pays de Serres (which means an Eagles talons) are some of the evocative names given to the region. Offering a gentle beauty, it is essentially deep provincial South West France. Generally quieter than most regions, the departments covered are Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot & Dordogne. The principal cities are Toulouse and Bordeaux. Between these two are major towns including:

Agen: The County town of the Lot-et-Garonne which changed hands 11 times during the hundred years war and is well known for its plums (pruneux). On the banks of the Garonne river it has a beautiful museum housed in four Renaissance houses.

Villeneuve-sur-Lot: A powerful bastide on the banks of the Lot river. Founded in 1264 it has preserved a large quantity of small streets and half-timbered buildings. Close by is a superb 18 hole golf course.

Cahors: County town of the Lot and once a vibrant university town. Home of the dark red wine known as Cahors Noir. It has a Charming town centre and the notable landmark of 14c Pont de Valentre.

Fumel: Named after Françoise de Fumel, once captain of the kings’ guard and Catherine de'Medici's ambassador to Constantinople, it has a good range of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and a cinema.

Moissac: On the banks of the Tarn river this bustling town with lively weekend markets, is famous for its Romanesque Abbey and Cloisters.

Montauban: County town of the Tarn-et-Garonne. This rose hued town was founded in 1144 and has an interesting old town, Cathedral and the prestigious Ingres art museum.

Valence d'Agen: A pretty town with a lovely fountain square. Originally a 1283 bastide it has a good range of shops & restaurants and a 9-hole golf course nearby. There are many beautiful villages in the area-unfortunately too many to list here. However, those close to Halcyon properties include the mediaeval villages of:

Tournon d'Agenais: Pretty Royal bastide village from 1271 and on the route of St Jaques de Compostella with a lovely square and belfry tower superb views, leisure lake, restaurants, small supermarket and seasonal market.

Penne d'Agenais: Penn means hill crest in Celtic and this lovely restored 'arty' village once had a castle built by Richard Coeur de Lion and has an interesting basilica, lovely views over the Lot river, restaurants and many artisans.

Beauville: Complete with arcades, gothic church and superb views, there are local shops leisure lake and a good value restaurant. Monflanquin: Founded in 1256, this lovely colonnaded village with superb square and arcades, restaurants and shops and the house of the Black Prince. Lauzerte: Nicknamed the Toledo of Quercy, its interesting square, which looks as if it's been turned up like a page of a book, sits in the centre of this lovely bastide village that has a choice of restaurants and shops.

Montcuq: A lively village dominated by the 12c Tour Comtale with a superb Sunday morning market, restaurants leisure lake and local shops.

Montaigu-de-Quercy: Was the site of a 12c castle built by Raymond V of Toulouse. Now this atmospheric lively village has a range of local shops a typical French market each Saturday and a large leisure lake.

St Antonin-Noble-Val: Once a Cathar stronghold this charming village has a good choice of restaurants shops and is close to the stunning Aveyron Gorge.

Bourg de Visa: A small local village close to the Gaulish spring 'source de St Quinin' with restaurant, small supermarket bank and Boulangerie.

Prayssac: With its memorable marble statue of Venus, is a lively village with an excellent Friday market and a good range of shops, restaurants and a cinema.

Catus: Once the site of a 10c prior and with a 12c Chapter house, it has an excellent leisure lake and a small range of shops. Roquecor: A sleepy laid back hilltop village with an excellent bar/restaurant and Sunday morning market.

St. Maurin: A sleepy half-timbered village, which includes the ruins of a 1097 abbey. It has a small shop and restaurant.

St-Cirq-Lapopie: One of the prettiest villages in France sitting dramatically 330ft above the Lot. Once owned by a 7th century bishop and once the home of surrealist Andre Breton. Many artistic shops and wonderful views.

Culture, History and Architecture

Unspoilt by overdevelopment, this enchanting region has so much to offer those who desire to get away from it all. In the rural heartland, you can enjoy wonderful views from majestic hills that roll down to meet the wealds and orchards of the Agenais. Here you can casually drift into the pace of another time. Embroidered in its history, the hundred years war, enhances the wealth of culture, history and architecture you will find. Cahors, renowned for its dark red wine, was once a vibrant commercial and university town. The capital of the area, its 14c Pont Valentre is a notable landmark with a bizarre history for you to discover. Along the river the beautiful village of St. Cirq La Popie, once home of the surrealist artist Andre Breton, is said by many to be the prettiest in France, and close by are the exciting caves of Pech Merle. Further south, Moissac has splendid Romanesque abbey cloisters. Of the regions chateaux, Bonaguil is a stunning example where, during the summer you can enjoy many special concerts and events that make the balmy holiday evenings magical. A short distance away, the Gers region opens the door to Armagnac country with many charming villages, abbeys and chateaux. Principal towns in the area include Condom and Auch, the home of d'Artagnan of Three Musketeers fame.

However, the best discoveries are those you make yourself. Discover sleepy bastide towns and villages, rest awhile in beautiful colonnade squares, immerse yourself in typical French 'market' culture; most of all relax, unwind and take a well-earned break from the stress of everyday life and soak up the ambience of these unbeatable regions.

Gastronomy

For pure "value", restaurants here are difficult to beat. Cooking is usually simple, fresh and delicious. Many menus include local produce such as duck, goose, plums cepes and of course foie gras. At the top end of the scale, internationally acclaimed restaurants will test the appetite of anyone, whilst for those who wish to enjoy good and affordable meals, there is an excellent choice of family restaurants and auberges of character that can be well within the budget. For wine, a look at the map of the region will reveal a wide choice of wonderful, famous names and wine regions. North is Bergerac and Cote de Duras, South Buzet and East Cahors and the dark red wine known as "Cahors Noir".

Weather and Landscape

Normally the area has a moderate climate with long Spring and Autumn seasons and Summers that can be very hot! Essentially it is the heart of farming land and you can expect to see lush landscapes with spectacular fields of sunflowers, maize and tobacco and all through the year a wonderful variety of changing colours and hues. This superb variety of seasonal changes provides an ideal holiday location. Geographically predominant the Lot, Tarn and Dordogne rivers are major landmarks and around these you can explore an enchanting, little known countryside of undulating hills with breathtaking and inspirational views. Dotted with small hilltop villages built in the lovely white stone of the Quercy, a simple drive or cycle ride will bring great pleasure.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Canoeing, Fishing, Golf, Horse riding, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Walking, Wine tasting, Wine touring

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

Driving

From Calais: 620 miles (10 - 12 hours) From St Malo: 426 miles (8 - 10 hours)

Airports

Toulouse: 90 minutes; Bordeaux: 2 hours; Carcassone: 2 hours; Bergerac: 1 hour

Trains

High speed (TGV) train to Agen, Toulouse & Bordeaux
Motorail: Brive and Toulouse

All distances and times are approximate

Easily reached from motorway junctions

Easily reached from Toulouse and Bergerac Airports.
Easily reached from Agen railway station and the TGV fast train service.

Nearest motorway junction: Cahors, 35 minutes.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.