Area Information

SHOPPING
   I am very blessed to have the best of local produce and shopping virtually on my doorstep.
   Great bread and groceries in the village. Excellent local butcher, you won't get better meat in
   all of France!

    - Super and Hypermarkets are in Figeac, Villeneuve and Villefranche.

    - Wonderful markets in Villefranche, every Thursday morning (a must see !) and Figeac    
    every Saturday morning.

    - Designer clothes manufacturer in the village has an excellent factory shop offering great
    discounts.

   - Wine shops and caves selling local wines from the full bodied Cahors to the fruity Gaillac
    and Marcillac.

    - There are many delicious local cheeses. Roquefort comes from nearby as do Cantal &
    Lagioule. Wonderful Chevres abound. 

    TIP: Don't forget that most shops in this area of France close between 12:00 & 2:30-3:00
           PM. (Hypermarkets are an exception). Similarly, restaurants are open for for lunch
           only during this period.

    Eating Out

    - I'm a good cook (see Table d'Hôtes page) and you don't have to drive home afterwards!

    - La Table d'Elise in the village serves good, well priced local food. Best to book for
      evening meals. Usually OK to just walk in for lunch.

   - In Figeac both "La Cuisine du Marche" & "La Puce d'Oreille" have been recommended
      by friends. Somewhat expensive, but there are also a goodly number of cafe's & small
      bistro style places in the town.

   - Villefranche has a good selection of restaurants. Just outside town, the "Relais de Farrou"
      is good if a bit pretentious & over seasoned for my taste. In town "Dali's" just off the
      main square is great for a lunch at reasonable prices. "L'Epicurien" just across the bridge
      is up market, but well worth the higher price.

   - In Villeneuve "La Tour de Bastide" has reasonable food at reasonable prices.

   - At La Madeleine "Belle Rive" is good. Driving there along the river is  beautiful.

  - For a real treat! "Le Vieux Pont" in Belcastel is wonderful. MUST BOOK! Has one
    Michelin star, but I think it deserves a second. Very well worth the drive & the cost.

    TIP: A great way to find restaurants in France is by using Michelin's website. Go to;
           www.viamichelin.com . Go to The Michelin Guides and under that restaurants. Click
           on that , then type in the town you want, Figeac for example, a list of 15 restaurants
           near that town will come up.. Maps, prices, description can all be found.
           Click here for an example.

    THINGS TO DO

  -Walking. many way marked footpaths (Grande Randonees = GR's) Maps available from the local
    Maison de la Presse.  

  - Riding. there are stables just over the bridge at La Madeleine, 15 minutes car ride away, also at
    Montsales, up the hill, and numerous others.

  - River swimming. Just outside the village at La Cappelle Balaguier and Cajarc.

  - Tennis. Over the first bridge, book at the Marie in St. Pierre Toirac.

  - Canoeing. Cajarc, Villefranche and many other places.

  - Local village festivals. see Tourist information offices, local press & shop windows.

  -Music Festivals. (classical, folk, rock & jazz)  see Tourist Information Offices & local press.

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