Top Ten Things to do in the Lot Valley

1. Picnic by a leisure lake

There are many leisure lakes to choose from in this part of the world and they welcome family picnickers. Most of them provide facilities for safe bathing too, so when the kids have finished their pain au chocolat and glass of Orangina, they can paddle about or swim in the waters and you can rest, safe in the knowledge that they will come to no harm. There are leisure lakes at Montaigu-de-Quercy, Montcuq, Beauville, Catus, St Nicholas de la Grave and these are mostly well-signposted from local villages.


2. Horse Riding

Horse riding in the Lot Valley is a favoured way to get out into the countryside and see the sights. There are more than 20 horse riding centres and stables dotted about the area, most of which remain open throughout the year, taking advantage of the areas 1,500 km of bridleways. The local tourist office will be able to give you details of your nearest centre.


3. Wine Tours

Wine tours are held regularly throughout the region with many an expert on hand to talk you through the production processes, the gathering, collection, squeezing and bottling of the famous Cahors, Malbec or Black wine of Cahors. Here at Kingfisher holidays, we can also arrange wine tasting tours for our guests if required.


4. Visit a Château

There are many chateaux to visit in the area. A favourite is the Château Latuc with its famous vineyard trail. You can enjoy some quite lovely scenery and see how the vines are grown and the wine is made. You’ll be following in the footsteps of some of the great wine aficionados of our time, among them Guide Hachette and Hugh Johnson.


5. Visit an Adventure Park

Adventure parks abound here in the Lot Valley region, at Pradines, near Cahors the park is set in a wooded valley. Visitors use rope ladders to climb and then abseil down to aerial walkways. The prehistoric adventures that await near Rocamadour have to be seen to be believed and the animal park at Gramat is home to over a thousand animals.


6. Take a boat ride

If you enjoy sightseeing from the water, you won’t find a better place to do it than in the Lot Valley. It’s clear and mostly gentle waters meander through lovely countryside where lush greenery sits alongside ancient buildings and craggy rock faces. All of these amazing views will view for your attention and compete to fill those last remaining slots on your memory stick! From the waterways of the Lot Valley, one of France’s most unspoilt regions comes to life, displaying its wealth of landscape, orchard, vineyard and hillside pine forest.


7. Visit the Caves

The prehistoric cave drawings of Pech-Merle in a huge cavern close to the town of Cabrerets are noted for their remarkable stalagmites. Les Grottes de Lacave are another impressive set of caves featuring several inner caves, each given its own name. The Chaos Room, The Tarasque Room, The Snow Corridor, The Three Fates Room, The Organ Room and The Great Dome Room are all names to conjure with and places well worth a visit.


8. Play golf

Golf in the region is growing in popularity as the courses of Spain and Portugal become overcrowded and too expensive. The temperate climate of the region ensures that the Greens are always just that, green and the quality of the courses themselves is very high. One particular favourite is Le Neuf du Bouysset, a nine hole course with range and green, set on the beautiful Castel du Bouysset estate amid the beautifully undulating scenery of the Thèze Valley in St
Martin le Redon.

9. Adrenalin sports

For all its peace and quiet, it is still possible to get the heart pumping and the blood racing with adrenalin here in the Lot Valley. Parachuting, Cave Diving, Quad Biking, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Kayaking and Hot Air Ballooning, its all here if you want it!



10. Eat and drink

After all, The Lot Valley is the home of foie gras, truffles, confit of duck and goose and the renowned Cahors wine – which you must try whilst you are here!
Restaurants in the Lot Valley are very family friendly and there are plenty of less adventurous foods available for the children.


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