Staying as family guests is an excellent way of experiencing a different sort of France. At a French B&B (Chambres d'Hôtes), you are part of the family, yet totally independent. You have therefore a chance to practice your French (particularly useful if you have teenage children with exams coming up), to learn first hand something about French lifestyles and ‘art de vivre'. Your hosts are always eager to tell you about their surrounding area and the sites to see, to recommend places off the beaten track, and to give you tips on the best local places to shop for gifts, food or wine. In the Lot Valley, most B&Bs are in rural surroundings.

The majority come under the Gîtes de France organisation and are classified by an ear of corn symbol (an ‘épis' in French), with denoting the top quality and the simplest. Many are happy to serve meals (Table d'hôtes) but remember to book in advance. Meals are home-cooked, based on local produce. Why not check out our SEVEN holiday suggestions below?

Like the owners, you too will fall in love at first sight with this charming property and its delightful surroundings which make for a perfect B&B. Its rating is well deserved - all six guest rooms (on the first floor) are spacious, tastefully appointed with all creature comforts including en suite facilities. Guests have free use of the lovely park and private, heated outdoor swimming pool (heated from Easter to All Saints). On the ground floor: the welcoming dining room with its large fireplace and two cosy sitting rooms. Both house and garden are used for exhibitions of contemporary works of art. You are just 10kms from Cahors and its vineyard, and surrounded by a number of fascinating tourist sites. Pets are not permitted.

Available: from 01 Jan to 31 July and from 16 Aug to 31 Dec 2006.

Booking reference: LLCHMERC

Price per person (sharing double room): 3-days/2-nights half-board (bed & breakfast + evening meal) from 133€ to 156€ (depending on choice of room).

The price includes: a half-bottle of wine and coffee with your evening meal; the ‘ Passeport pour le Lot ' book of vouchers entitling you to reductions at many sites.

The price does not include: lunch and other drinks; holiday tax (payable on site); optional travel insurance including cancellation (2% of total cost of your booking); booking fee (8€ for up to 3 nights; 15€ for 4 nights or more).

Supplements: Price per 3rd person sharing room: 17€ per night b&b; 46€ half-board. Extra night per person (sharing double room): half-board from 66.5€ to 78€; b&b from 37.5€ to 49€; dinner including coffee and half-bottle of wine: 29€. Extra for gastronomic meal: 36€.

To find out more and to book:

Loisirs Accueil Lot

Tel: +33 (0)5 65 53 20 90

Email: Loisirs.accueil.lot@wanadoo.fr

Web: www.reservation-lot.com

B&B in an authentic
15th-century ‘CAUSSENARDE’ farmhouse

La Vialette is situated at La Canourgue close to the start of the Tarn Gorges. The farmhouse dates back to the 15thC and is typical of the Causses, hence the adjective ‘Caussenarde’. This comfortable, property is open all year round, and families are welcome. Meals can be had here, but they need to be booked in advance. Meals are home cooked, based on local specialities. You are here in delightful, quiet surroundings. All rooms have en-suite facilities.

Amenities at guests’ disposal: terrace, sitting room, stove (for heating, not cooking), washing-machine (shared), telephone (for use with phonecard), TV, communal garden, free parking, garden furniture, non-fenced in grounds.

Price per person (sharing double room)

• bed & breakfast: 23.5€ per night;
• half-board (bed & breakfast & evening meal): 39.5€ per night.
• Children under 2 years: free;
• children 2-6: 40% off.

The price does not include: drinks; cancellation insurance.
Available: all year

To find out more or to book: click here
Loisirs Accueil Lozère

Tel: +33 (0)4 66 48 48 48
Email: sla@france48.com

Web: www.lozere-resa.com

This lovely property is in the Cruou Valley, close to the wine-producing town of Marcillac Vallon.

The rooms are spacious, with huge fireplaces. There are 2 guest rooms with en suite toilet and bathroom (one with jacuzzi); guests are welcome to use the family living room (fireplace, sofa, TV), kitchen area, garden furniture, barbecue, and swimming room. Restaurant (for your evening meals): 2km.

Price (2006): 3days/2nights bed & breakfast: 60€ per person
Available: 15 April to 15 Oct 2006
Booking Ref: AYCH152
To find out more or to book:
Loisirs Accueil Aveyron
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 75 55 50
Email: sla.aveyron@wanadoo.fr   

Web: www.reservation-aveyron.com

Chez Catherine Rethore, a charming, friendly B&B in the little town of Entraygues, nestling among the vineyard slopes of St-Georges.

Entraygues has the unusual privilege of being both on the River Lot and River Truyère. Wrought iron gates open on to the cobbled courtyard of this handsome manor. The interior is tastefully decorated. There are 4 guest rooms, a sitting room, lounge, TV, open fireplace. Meals (table d’hôtes) are available (bookable) in advance.

Price (2006): 3days/2nights bed & breakfast:  55 € per person.
Available: 02 January to 20 Dec 2006
Booking Ref: AYCH123
To find out more or to book:
Loisirs Accueil Aveyron
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 75 55 50
Email: sla.aveyron@wanadoo.fr 

Web: www.reservation-aveyron.com

You will be staying at a dairy farm on the Aubrac plateau, surrounded by the most splendid countryside. This delightful place is an appealing mixture of traditional building materials and modern facilities. The 4 guest rooms are located in the barn; all have private bathrooms with toilet, and independent access. Guests have use of a sitting room with fireplace, a cooking area, and terrace. Restaurant: 3km.

Price (2006): 3days/2nights bed & breakfast: from 57€ per person

Available: from 01 Jan to 31 March and from 01 Nov to 31 Dec 2006. Note: from 01 April to 31 Oct: price from 60€ per person.
Booking Ref: AYCH83
To find out more or to book:
Loisirs Accueil Aveyron
Tel:+33 (0)5 65 75 55 50  

Web: www.reservation-aveyron.com

The setting for this handsome property (rated ) is an old farmhouse built between the 15th and 19th-centuries, with private lake, half-way between Figeac and Decazeville. There are three large, individually-styled guest rooms sleeping 2-4 persons, all in a separate wing of the property. There's the Blue room, the Green and the Ochre room. All rooms have en suite facilities and TV; 2 also have a private terrace. Guests have free use of a kitchenette, shaded terrace with garden furniture and barbecues, the wooded park and lake (great fishing!); the Lot river is only 400m away. Your hosts are happy to lend guests fishing tackle. Sylvie and Alain are very welcoming hosts and you'll spend an enjoyable time with them in the dining room over breakfast and dinner (with cooking based on local produce). You're extremely well situated here for many ‘must-see' sights - including Figeac (classified as a “Ville d'Art et d'Histoire”) and Conques (one of the foremost stopping places on the Pilgrim Trail to Santiago de Compostela).

Available: from 01 Jan to 31 Dec 2006

Booking reference: LLCHCUZA

Price per person (sharing double room): 3-days/2-nights half-board (bed & breakfast plus evening meal) in high season (15 Jun to 31 Aug) - Blue Room 94€; Green or Ochre Rooms 107€; rest of year - Blue Room 84€; Green or Ochre Room 95€.

The price includes: your 3-day/2-nights stay half-board from 4pm on day 1  to midday on last day; drinks with evening meal; the ‘ Passeport pour le Lot ' book of vouchers entitling you to reductions at many sites.

The price does not include: lunch; optional travel insurance including cancellation (2% of total cost of your booking); booking fee (8€ for up to 3 nights; 15€ for 4 nights or more); holiday tax.

Reductions - children in parents' room: under 3 yrs: free; over 4 yrs: 18€ per night b&b, 40.5€ per night half-board.

SPECIAL OFFER - Stay 6 nights half-board & get your 7th night (b&b) FREE (except between 15 June & 31 Aug).

To find out more and to book:

Loisirs Accueil Lot
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 53 20 90

Email: Loisirs.accueil.lot@wanadoo.fr

Web: www.reservation-lot.com

This B&B is a substantial family home surrounded by its own landscaped park with centuries-old trees providing welcome shade. The welcome here is always warm and charming. Climb the great staircase to the three tastefully decorated guest rooms - each different, each with a balcony or terrace, each named after one of the family's ancestors. All rooms are non-smoking and have TV and ensuite facilities. At guests' disposal: the park and owners' swimming pool (200m away); the two rooms on the ground floor - one for reading and relaxing, the other in which breakfast is served; billiard room-cum-library (also on the ground floor). An excellent spot from which to explore Cahors, the Lot Valley and Cahors vineyard - and to savour the region's gastronomy and specialities.

Available: from 01 April to 11 November 2006; for 2 to 8 persons.

Booking reference: LLCHROUS

Price for bed & breakfast per person (sharing double room) for a

3-day/2-night stay: prices vary per room and season (peak season is July/August):

- Lolita Suite (two 90cm single beds in room, a third in an alcove; en suite shower and WC): 70€ (peak season) 60€ (rest of year).

- Valentin Room (one 140cm double bed and one 90cm sofa-bed; bathroom & WC in the tower): 80€ (peak season) 70€ (rest of year).

- Marichù suite (one 140cm double bed, one 90cm sofa-bed, and another sofa-bed in an adjoining room; en suite bathroom & WC): 90€ (peak season) 80€ (rest of year).

SPECIAL OFFER - get 10% OFF your 3rd night's stay plus a HALF-BOTTLE of Cahors Wine. Stay 7 nights and get 15% off your whole stay plus a half-bottle of Cahors wine and half-bottle of champagne.

The price includes: use of the owners' swimming pool; the ‘ Passeport pour le Lot ' book of vouchers entitling you to reductions at many sites; holiday tax.

The price does not include: meals; optional travel insurance including cancellation (2% of total cost of your booking); booking fee (8€ for up to 3 nights; 15€ for 4 nights or more).

Supplementary: Price per 3rd person sharing room: 20€ per person per night b&b.Extra night per person b&b: Lolita Suite 27€ (31.5€ in July/Aug); Valentin Room: 31.5€ (36€ in July/Aug); Marichù Suite: 36€ (40.5€ in July/Aug).

To find out more and to book:

Loisirs Accueil Lot

Tel: +33 (0)5 65 53 20 90

Email: Loisirs.accueil.lot@wanadoo.fr

Web: www.reservation-lot.com

You’re here in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Causses du Quercy, halfway between Cahors and Figeac - both classed as “Villes d’Art et d’Histoire” - and just a few kms from St-Cirq-Lapopie, jewel in the crown of the Lot Valley and classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Marc and Danielle’s large property, typical of the Quercy, has been in the family for five generations. It provides, together with the adjoining fully renovated barn, all the comfort, quiet, freedom and relaxation you could wish for, including a swimming pool. On the ground floor, the large kitchen gives on to terraces where breakfast is served and guests dine in summer, a large lounge in which to read, have cosy chats or relax in front of the vast fireplace. The four guest rooms are on the first floor; so too the family’s dining room with sitting area around the fire (known in ‘Oc’ as le cantou) for winter use.

Available: from 01 March to 15 Nov 2006
Booking reference: LLCHSTGE
Accommodation: All four guest rooms are non-smoking, and pets are not accepted. The rooms are arranged as follows:
• The ‘Vanilla, ‘Lavender’ and ‘Lime’ rooms: double bedroom for two, with double bed (140cm), shower and toilet.
• The ‘Peach’ room: double room sleeping 2-4, with double bed (140cm), shower, toilet, and sofa bed (for two).
Price: 2-nights half board per person (sharing double room): 89Euros (94Euros from 01/07 to 15/09/2006).

The price includes: half-board (bed, breakfast & evening meal) in a double room. Free use of the swimming pool. The ‘Passeport pour le Lot’ book of vouchers entitling you to reductions at many sites.
The price does not include: Lunches. Booking fee (8 Euros for stay of up to 3 nights; 15 Euros for stays of 4 or more nights). Optional travel insurance including cancellation (2% of total cost of your booking).
Supplementary charges - per person per night:
- additional night half-board: 44.5 Euros (47 Euros from 01/07 to 15/09/06)
- additional night bed & breakfast: 27.5 Euros (30 Euros from 01/07 to 15/09/06)
- evening meal including drinks: based on local specialities - 17 Euros; gastronomic dinner - 29 Euros
- supplement for the ‘Peach’ room: 2.5 Euros per person per night.

- 3rd person sharing the 'Peach room': infant up to age 2 (sleeping in cot): free; aged 2-12: 15 Euros b&b; 25 Euros half-board; aged 12 or over: 20 Euros b&b; 37 Euros half-board.

To find out more and to book:
Loisirs Accueil Lot
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 53 20 90
Email: Loisirs.accueil.lot@wanadoo.fr

Web: www.reservation-lot.com

For details click here

Give in to the charm and comfort of a stunning property in the heart of Cahors Vineyard

Where to stay: Boating holidays | Places with river views | For fishermen | Cosy Logis and Hotels de Charme | Self catering

© The Hat Factory, Destination Branding

© The Hat Factory, Destination Branding