The Region
The hamlet and village
The hamlet of Serres has about a dozen houses set on a hill surrounded by wooded valleys and small fields. There is plenty of scope for beautiful walks or cycle rides.
About 4 km away is the village of Payrac. It has a range of restaurants, a comprehensively stocked village store, a bakery, pharmacy, post office and petrol station.
Local towns
The nearest town, about 10km away, is Gourdon
, whose pretty streets run in concentric rings around an immense church and ruined castle set on the top of the hill.
The side streets running up the hill from the main shopping street are full of character, and the view from the castle at the top is well worth the gentle climb!
There are many restaurants and excellent supermarkets.
A little further is the larger town of Souillac, set on the Dordogne River. It has one of the best local markets every Friday.
The Lot valley
The Lot valley, to the south, is home to the Cahors Appellation vineyards.
Drive along the south side of the Lot, westwards from Cahors to Fumel to visit these and enjoy wine tastings. The wines from this area are full bodied and almost purple in colour, dominated by the variety Malbec. They are little known in the UK, but well worth trying!
The Dordogne valley
The Dordogne valley is famous for its wealth of castles, most dating from the 14th and 15th centuries and the Hundred Years’ War, when they were either held by the English keeping out the French or vice-versa.
Moving east from Souillac, you can visit:
- Martel – a beautiful town with good restaurants, and a restored narrow gauge steam railway.
- Collonges la Rouge – a mediaeval town built in red stone.
- North of the Dordogne, it is also worth visiting the pre-historic caves at Lascaux, pre-historic sites at Les Ezies, and the spectacular topiary in the gardens at Marquessac and Eyrignac.
- Further afield, you might enjoy a train ride from Gourdon to Toulouse, and a visit to the city’s pink brick mediaeval centre.
Some very local castles
- Chateau Fenelon – a family owned chateau, with spectacular views and glorious period furnishings is well worth the visit.
- Chateau la Treyne – a beautiful chateau, with luxurious accommodation and gourmet food.