Around Pétrou


The town of Catus is seven kilometres away, where tennis, fishing, boating, and swimming are available. The town has many facilities and services, including gourmet restaurant, food stores, doctors, a pharmacy, and a post office. Pétrou is 25 kilometres north of the Gallo-Roman City of Cahors, and 40 kilometres south-west of the cliff-hanging heritage site of Rocamadour. It is easy driving to the many beautiful villages, castles and châteaux of the Perigord to the north and west. There are many other cultural attractions in the Lot and Dordogne valleys, including the fortified (or bastide) villages of the region of Midi-Pyrénées. There are many vineyards on the nearby farms, as well as in the valleys. Pétrou is close to the major medieval pilgrimage route which leads across southern Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the burial place of St. James; the route is dotted with gems of Christian heritage. A map of the many local attractions for visitors is provided in Pétrou. There's no shortage of things to do, including golfing, swimming, rock climbing, caving, painting, hiking and cycling... or just relaxing by the pool. The Lot & Dordogne Rivers have boat tours, rental boats and canoes.	Through the keyhole at Castelnaud
*About the region*

Uzech pottery fair

If you want to see the great selection of heritage sites and recreation areas, then just step into your car and visit some of the places listed below.

Uzech, 2 kilometres to the east, is the nearest community. The walking is generally on the level and has nice views to the south. En route you pass the small but beautifully restored buildings of Richard. In the village visit the local pottery and restaurant.

About 6 kilometres to the northeast is the beautiful village of Peyrilles, which has a good restaurant. It can be reached by taking back roads and hiking trails. This will whet your appetite for the many other beautiful villages of the Lot and Dordogne.

The various routes northwest to Rocamadour cross the dry limestone plateau called the Cause de Gramat, now recognized as one of France’s natural parks. Try to go via Couzou from the south for the best view approaching Rocamadour. En route you drive from the rich and well vegetated hills around Pétrou to quite dry causse limestone land around Rocamadour. Plan to reach Rocamadour early in the morning, before the crowds, as it is one of the most visited places in France. Then make your way afterwards to the Gouffre de Padirac, one of the largest potholes or caves in Europe with an underground river. This is enough for a full day for most people.

While you are in this area, or if you want to go back, do visit villages and castles along the Dordogne River, including: Autoire, Loubressac, Castelnau, Carennac. Return via Floirac. Or take the D48 south from St Cere, which involves an incredible climb south to a point where you can see the ancient volcanic mountains of the Massif Central about 100 kms to the east.

Rocamadour

Going north, the routes can take you through Gourdon, and/or Souillac. In Souillac the hotel school offers excellent lunches and dinners (with set menus that change daily) during the normal school terms between September & June; here reservations are essential (phone ahead to 05 65.37.89.88). While in the Sarlat-la-Caneda area, do also visit the Grotte de Lascaux, a World Heritage Site, and other pre-historic caves to be found in the Vezére River Valley. On the way back go to the castles of Cazenac, Castelnaud, and Monfort. Also, while driving along the Dordogne River visit Domme, a fortified hilltop village or bastide. Then take a cross country route back south along the D46 to the D673, and the D6 to Salvezou. There, turn east to find yourself close to Pétrou again.

The Dordogne

Travelling west to Montbazillac takes one through bastide country of small and very old villages and towns, where the hills gradually disappear. This is a countryside of farms with little fortified villages dating back from the wars between the English and the French some five hundred years ago. Follow a cross country route via Cazals, Monpazier, the huge Chateau Biron, and Beaumont, to the vineyards around Montbazillac. Then, take some time and visit the town and vineyards west of Bergerac on the Dordogne River. This is real wine country with lots of vineyards offering "degustations". Return home south via Eymet, Castillonnes, Villereal, Montlanquin, Fumel and Puy-l'Eveque. Here you can follow the Lot River valley through the main Cahors wine country.

Wednesday and Saturday mornings are the market days in Cahors. The two gems are the cathedral and the Pont Valentre. Everything here is within walking distance; so just park the car and walk. Then find a small café and plan a relatively short drive down-river through Mercues, Caillac, Parnac and Luzech. Try a boat tour near Luzech. You can continue on to Puy-l'Eveque on the south shore, or just return home via Chateau Caix, Crayssac, & Catus. Or go further afield to Chateau Latuc near Mauroux. This is wine country with lots of vineyards offering "degustations" and wines for sale. The local supermarkets also offer a good variety of Cahors wines.

Drive to the rail station in Cahors and take the train south to Toulouse for the day. It is a good way to sit back and watch the countryside roll by. Toulouse has a lot to see and definitely warrants such a trip. In addition, a stop in Montauban on the way back is a good idea. Travelling the Lot Valley east from Cahors to Figeac takes you along the meandering valley past or through some of the most beautiful villages of France, such as St-Cirq-Lapopie and Calvignac. Either take a picnic or enjoy one of the many cafes en route. Return via the beautiful Cele River valley, but also take a side-trip to la Pierre Martine (near Livernon) which is an ancient Stonehenge-like set of large stones build in pre-historic times. Along the River Cele visit the many small villages such as Marcilhac and Cabrerets. The return should be via the Grotte de Pech-Merle, where there are many pre-historic cave paintings. Then go cross-country via St. Martin de Vers to St. Denis Catus, which is just south of Pétrou.	Cazals - flower seller Cahors - eagle eye view
Way to the east, take a full-day trip through Figeac, up the Lot Valley as it winds its way east to near medieval Conques. The cathedral is one of the incredible gems of medieval France. The arch or tympaneum around the front door has to be seen to be believed. Just look at the heads of the devils pushing out through the stonework! Then look at the unspoiled old interior. The village alone is worth a day's visit, but don't leave before going to see the museum. If you have time, go south to Albi; but this is really worth another full day's visit.