Las Razes - A special place to stay in South West France
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Local Area

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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  the many local, markets, regional attractions, vineyards and medieval (bastide) villages of this the 'Quercy Region' of France.  (What is Quercy Region - click here)

Bastide Villages - These fortified villages were designed and built in the 13th and 14th centuries when the English and French were constantly at war fighting for the control of South West France. The villages follow a similar style - arcaded central market square, usually with a Church in one corner and the streets follow the grid plan. They are virtually unchanged today. Local ones include Tournon d'Agenais, Penne d'Agenais, Puymirol, Castelsagrat, Beauville, Pujols, Lauzerte which is on on the pilgrim route (GR65) for the long walk to Santiago di Compostela, as is Moissac - with its wonderful abbey of Romanesque architecture and cloisters. Nearby is the confluence of the Rivers Tarn et Garonne, you can have a splendid view from the Point de Vue de Boudou. 

Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Of the three officially classified "prettiest villages in France" in the Tarn et Garonne, two are handy to Las Razes. These are  Lauzerte and Auvillar, both are well worth a visit.  To find about more about Lauzerte, click here.  Or for Auvillar click here.

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 mins 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.
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!

Château de Bonaguil

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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. 

There is also a delightful 9 hole course in the Lot valley  Le 9 Bouysset - here you can get refreshments and play in a stunning valley for great value. 

 

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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Prehistoric Caves  - further away than the caves mentioned above
 
 
 
 

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.

Lauzerte (8km)

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, Brassac (with its interesting old chateau),  Beauville, St Maurin, Lacour de Visa, Bourg de Visa, Montjoi  ……. The list just goes on and on.

 

Towns worth visiting include

  • Moissac -with its spectacular Abbey, cloisters and magnificent waterways.

  • Cahors - with its mediaeval centre and famous Valentre bridge.

  • Villeneuve-sur-Lot with its medieval buildings sitting on the banks of the River Lot. 

  • Toulouse - "la Ville Rose" - the old city of rose pink brick construction, narrow mediaeval streets, enjoyable cafe life, Cathedral, huge squares, art galleries (Pierre Bonnard, Vlaminck ... ) Also Space City  - click here for details and Tours of Airbus Factory click here.

  • Bergerac

  • Agen -  a pleasant 19th century town on the side of the Garonne river - good shops and Musée des Beaux Art and lovely Cathedral, situated in four adjoining Renaissance houses - include paintings by Goya, Sisley's September Morning, pottery by Renaissance potter, Bernard Palissy and much more. Agen is about 34 km away.

  • Montaubaun

  • Fumel 

  • Albi - (a little further away) worth visiting for splendid Gothic Cathedral with famous rood screen, built to intimidate heretics, such as the Cathars. There is a collection of Toulouse Lautrec paintings (he was born here). During the summer there are three big festivals, Jazz in May, Theatre end of June/early July and Music a month later.

  • Carcassonne - (about 2 hours drive) early Military fortress dating from 6th Century - shops, hotels etc within its walls, which themselves stretch for 2 miles. It's touristy but fun - one of France's top tourist attractions.

Details of all these and many more places to visit are available in our information booklet.

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Moissac

Millau Bridge

Designed by Norman Foster (probably 3 hr drive) over the River Tarn with its impressive white cliffs. The town itself is pleasant, with top of the range leather goods for sale. There was a huge Roman pottery here and today the Graufesenque pottery works have a permanent exhibition of the pottery used in those days.