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Situated in the Midi Pyrenees between the beautiful bastide villages of Lauzerte and Montaigu de Quercy, Las Razes (just outside the lovely small village of Touffailles) is an ideal base for visiting many
local medieval villages, markets, regional attractions and vineyards.
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This green and fertile corner of France is well known for its hilltop bastides and fortified villages.
There are incredibly beautiful and unspoilt places with tumbling flowers, blue shutters and carved stonework dotted across
the rolling landscape, intermingling with stone built farms, gaggles of foie gras producing geese, the occasional chateau,
vineyards, sunflowers and fruit orchards.
Famous for its sunflowers, peaches, kiwi, asparagus, cherries, nectarines, melons, vines and prunes,
the local countryside changes weekly from the lush greens and delicate blossoms of early spring through to the fields of ripening
wheat and barley edged with poppies, to the vivid yellow of the summer sunflowers.
Amongst the many places you may like to visit are the local villages, local markets, leisure lake,
local tennis court, horse riding centre, golf courses, parachute school and local vineyards. Please see below
for more details of these ideas.
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| Montaigu de Quercy Market |
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| Cherries on Montaigu de Quercy Market |
Local Markets
Most local villages and towns hold weekly markets – these are well worth visiting – here
you will find a wonderful selection of local food produce. The colours and smells are very enticing and you will find
you get a real flavour of South Western France. The nearest markets are in Montaigu de Quercy, (8km), Lauzerte (8km), Rocqucor
(12 km) and Montcuq (14km). More information about markets..
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| Bathing lake near Montaigu de Quercy |
Leisure Lake - Montaigu de Quercy (10 minutes drive/9kms)
This beautiful lake with a wonderful white sand beach is ideal for water lovers both young and old.
There is a safe area for young ones to play in the water and plenty of opportunity for more adventurous swimmers with floating
platforms and diving boards.
There are safe playing areas for children, and within the surrounding landscaped area there is crazy-golf,
camping, shaded picnic tables and a bar and restaurant with lovely terrace overlooking the beach.
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| Lake Montaigu de Quercy |
Canoeing
Hire canoes and paddle along the Lot river, beautiful scenery and plenty of places to stop for a
pic nic. Hire is by the hour or half day. Open from 15/6 - 15/09 (10am - midday and 2pm - 7pm)
We would suggest ringing to check/book before going at busy times/days.
Easy to find, aim for a pigeonnier, opposite the main old part of town, this side of the river.
Look for slip road off the roadabout.
Base Nautique
Puy L'Eveque
05 65 21 37 13
05 65 21 37 77
Grottes de Roland - Prehistoric caves
Open generally in the afternoon with tours about every half hour. Do check the details at Las
Razes for how to find these caves (close to Montcuq) and opening hours. Well worth a visit and a good way to get out
of the sun!
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| Chateau de Bonaguil |
An approximate 25 minute drive from Las Razes through some lovely
countryside lies the magnificant Chateau de Bonaguil. This Chateau is well worth a visit and makes a lovely day trip.
It is not ideal for anyone with mobility problems or for push-chairs. There are a number of places to eat at the base
of the Chateau. For more information about the Chateau and its history, please click here.
Château de Brassac
A very short drive from Touffailles (and close to the village of Montjoi) is the château de Brassac - to find out more about the château and its history click here.
Horse riding
There is a beautiful trekking centre at Lacour de Visa (15 minutes/10km), set in the most glorious
rolling countryside, giving you the opportunity to ride amongst the wooded hills and valleys of the region. You can
arrange a one or two hour ride or even half and full day rides. If you are coming on a short break and want to ride
during your stay bookings can be made in advance on your behalf.
The riding stables are located on a hillside farm –
part of which is a country Auberge – so it is possible to get a drink or sample some very traditional local cuisine
after your riding. At this Auberge all the meat is cooked on an open fire in the restaurant and definitely tastes the
better for it!
Please make sure your travel insurers are aware that you intend to ride.
Tennis - Touffailles
(2 minutes drive/1km)
The village of Touffailles boasts a wonderful tennis court which
guests are able to use. The garden area surrounding the court is wonderfully kept and there is an adjoining children’s
play area.
Guests are able to borrow rackets and balls from Las Razes.
Golf
There are a few golf courses nearby – ideal for the occasional round or a daily game! The closest is the 9
hole Golf de Roucous.
Slightly further away is the highly acclaimed 18 hole course at Villeneuve-sur-Lot Golf and Country Club.
Or at Valance D’Agen there is a further 9 hole course Le Golf d'Espalais.
Parachuting
If anyone feels that they would like to try parachuting – there is a parachute school located nearby. Even
for the less ambitious, a trip to watch the jumpers landing (even on bike from here) makes an interesting visit.
The parachute school do arrange for Tandem Jumps - more detail here
Vineyards
There are many different vineyards to visit in the area and we keep a selection of details for you to consider whilst you
are staying. An example of a vineyard that is very popular with our visitors is the Domaine du Garinet at le Boulvé.
www.vin-du-tsar.tm.fr
www.latuc.com
Wine tasting tours
Misc. places of interest
For those that love adventure (and heights) we strongly recommend the Parc-en-Ciel - Zip wires and roped adventure - booking required - we can help with this.
Courses for small children, teenagers and adults.
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Summer Events – locally
- a few seasonal events that may be of interest
Friday evenings from 1st
July – through to the end of August.
Evening market in Tournon D’Agenais
Through the height of summer - there
are also evening markets in Lauzerte on Thursday evenings and St Maurin on Wednesday evening. Go along and have supper
amongst the food stalls!
Gourmand, marché paysan - market of lots of different locally produced foods – often served cooked and
ready to eat – based at a museum of Foie Gras/duck farm – an ideal chance to go for a pic – nic and buy
your food there – lots of local delicacies available. Fridays
9.00am – 2pm July and 5th
Sept. Souleilles, 47140, Frespech. (about
25 mins from Las Razes – ask us for directions)
www.souleilles-foiegras.com/marchespaysan.html
Lauzerte – 6th
August – English (annual) troop of actors performing ‘A Midsummer
Night’s Dream’ in the market square at the top of the town. Tickets 15 Euros and children under 11 free.
See www.festivalshakespeare.org for more information.
Local Villages
There are many places well worth visiting whilst staying at Las Razes. Here we mention just a
few; we will be happy to advise you further whilst you are staying.
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| One of the hidden corners of Touffailles |
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| One of the well tended gardens in Touffailles |
Touffailles (1km)- our nearest village
This is our closest hamlet and boasts a baker, post office, small shop, petrol pump, pond, tennis court
and children’s play area.
In the village there is also a lovely and fully equipped camp site - for tents and caravans.
The village has its own Chateau - Chateau de Combecave.
There are four very beautiful local churches to visit by car, on foot or perhaps on a a bike.
Click here for more details.
Nicknamed the Toledo of Quercy, it has an interesting square, which looks as if it has been turned
up like a page of a book. This exquisite bastide village has a choice of restaurants, bars, shops and markets (the Saturday
morning market is lovely – taking place in the medieval square amongst the many little cafes).
The architecture and stonework found in this stunning village (listed as one of France’s 100
most beautiful) are well worth spending a little time wandering amongst. From the top of this medieval village the views
of the surrounding countryside are breathtaking.
Lauzerte is a stopping place for pilgrims on the famous Le Chemin de St Jacques de Compostella – and many walkers can be seen
trudging south towards Spain.
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| Lauzerte |
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| Montaigu de Quercy |
Montaigu de Quercy (8km)
Montaigu was the site of a 12c castle built by Raymond V of Toulouse. There are many small streets
and churches to explore and all local services can be found easily – even parking is not a problem! This atmospheric
lively village has a range of local shops, a typical French market (not to be missed) each Saturday and a stunning large leisure
lake.
Montcuq (14km)
We just love this little place - the market on a Sunday is such a pleasure and somehow makes the
world seem a better place - just watching so many people content with a great supply of wines, fruits, cheeses, spices, flowers,
saucissons, garlics, cheeses and the most beautiful breads and pastries.
Away from the market there are some lovely old buildings and a 12th century watch tower. A
number of places to eat and enjoy a coffee or beer.
Each year Montcuq is home to one of the world's most famous Horse Endurance Race - Le Deux Jours
de Montcuq (The Two Days of Montcuq) click here for more details. This year this takes place at the end of October - the small town bustles with life and horses and
riders arrive from all over the world.
Montcuq (Lauzerte also) is also known for its wide range of arts and cultural/musical activities
and each year there is an open air performance (in English) of a Shakespeare play - with performances in Montcuq and Lauzerte
This usually takes place at the end of July/begining of August. More details
Montcuq also has a lovely, safe bathing lake - ideal for some 'beach life'.
Other villages worthy of a visit include Roquecor, Penne D’Agenais, Tournon D’Agenais, Beauville, Castlesegrat, Bourg de Visa, Montjoi ……. The list just goes on and on.
Towns worth visiting include
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Moissac -with its spectacular Abbey, cloisters and magnificent waterways.
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Cahors - with its mediaeval centre and famous Valentre bridge.
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Villeneuve-sur-Lot with its medieval buildings sitting on the banks of the River Lot.
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Toulouse - "la Ville Rose" - also Space City - click here for details and Tours of Airbus Factory click here.
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Bergerac
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Agen
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Montaubaun
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Fumel
Details of all these and many more places to visit are available in our information booklet.
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| Moissac |
Entertainment for children
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