Beautiful & Diverse
Rocamadour, UNESCO world heritage site
Discover More of THE Lot
Duravel: A warm welcome Awaits you!
The town of Duravel is only a few minutes’ drive from La Bergerie gite. So, take advantage of the weekly market every Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm in front of the town hall. It’s a chance to explore and support local producers selling fantastic goods. From Indian curries, homemade fudge and cakes to roasted free-range chickens, honey, jams, and organic produce – treat yourself to some sweet and savoury delights!
Duravel also has a variety of shops, eateries, and activities for all ages, including:
- Bar Restaurant
- Booktique (second-hand English bookstore)
- Bakery
- Multi-service Grocery Store
- Pizzeria
- Newsagents, Bookstore, and Tabac
- Miniature Golf Course
- Public Garden
- Museum
- Saffron Farm
- Vineyards – Wine Tastings & Tours
Saffron Flower. Photo by Mostafa ft on Unsplash.com
Soar Above Stunning Lot Landscapes
Get ready to raise your soul to new heights! While the Lot is well known for its relaxing and peaceful surroundings, it is also a region of startling contrast and exhilarating adventures. Choose from helicopters to hot air balloons, sky-diving to para-gliding, tree-climbing to rock-climbing, and even zip-lining. If you have a head for heights and need an adrenaline rush, there is no shortage of activities in the Lot region.
Caving in Lot: Explore the Hidden Wonders of the Underground World
Explore the depths of the earth and uncover its hidden gems. The Lot is home to an incredible treasure trove of geological wonders, just waiting to be discovered. There are several places where you can explore this fascinating underground world, including pot-holing and caving in the Causses du Quercy UNESCO Global Geopark. Or go on a guided tour of the prehistoric caves at Pech Merle, just an hour’s drive from la Bergerie.
Star-Gazing in the Lot Region
Grab a blanket and a telescope and experience the beauty and tranquillity of a clear, starry night sky from the terrace of the Bergerie gite. Because the Lot region has the lowest levels of light pollution in France, if you want to see meteor showers, you are probably in the best place.
Not far from here lies the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park. The area features a diverse landscape, including hidden caves, prehistoric paintings, beautiful villages, and gently-flowing rivers. Furthermore, it has some of the brightest, star-filled skies in Europe.
Three observatory sites in Limogne-en-Quercy, Reilhac, and Carlucet have been set up in the park, especially for stargazing. Located between Rocamadour and the Valley of Célé, the area is known as the Black Triangle of Quercy. Experienced and amateur astronomers come from all over the world to observe the night skies of the Lot.
Another site nearby is the Observatoire Astronomique GAP47 based in Montayral. From January to the end of June 2024, GAP47 is open to visitors every Friday at 9pm. From July to September places are limited and reservations are required.
Photo by Samuele Giglio
Mysterious Megaliths & Ancient Monuments
Discover the ancient megaliths of the Grands Causses UNESCO World Heritage site. The many megaliths, dolmens and menhirs scattered throughout the Lot region are silent witnesses to forgotten practices of pagan ceremonies and burial rituals. The Grands Causses region has a rich history of ancient civilizations, and tombs you can visit that date back to the Neolithic era.
Pack a picnic and have a grand day out exploring the local area. The Le Tombeau des Géants is less than 30 minutes’ drive; Hunnebed (45 minutes) has a small picnic area and plenty of parking. As well as the monument, the area is very popular with bird-watchers; Chateau Bonaguil (20 minutes) is a 13th-century clifftop castle with stunning views and is open from February onwards; Chateau de Gavaudun (25 minutes); and Moulin des Tours de Barbaste (90 minutes), the largest fortified mill in France, once home to Henry IV.
Photo credit Chateau Bonaguil
Popular with our guests
One of our guests’ favourite places to visit is Château et Jardins des Milandes, with it’s stunning architecture, and beautiful parks and gardens.
The 15th century chateau with private chapel, was once the home of Josephine Baker, a famous American-born entertainer. Josephine was a dancer, singer and actress, as well as being an anti-racism activist and a WWII French Resistance fighter.
She fought for France on many occasions, risking her own life to help save others. But, it was not until 1961 that she was awarded the Legion of Honour by Général Valin, in a ceremony at Château de Milandes. Josephine lived at the chateau for over 30 years with her husband, Jo Bouillon, a famous orchestra conductor, and their 12 adopted children.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Nearest Airports:
- Bergerac Dordogne Périgord – 1 hr 10.
- Brive-Souillac – 1 hr 20.
- Toulouse-Blagnac – 1 hr 55.
- Bordeaux – 2 hr 30.
- Limoges – 2 hr 45.
Nearest Train Stations:
- Sauveterre-La-Lemance – 20 mins
- Monsempron-Libos – 20 mins
- Villefranche-du-Périgord – 25 mins
- Cahors – 40 mins
More about the Lot region
Need car hire, bike hire or just want to know what else is going on in the area during your stay? Drop us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.