Inform somebody you’re going to the Lot Valley on vacation and likelihood is you’ll be met by nods of recognition and even envy. One of the vital picturesque rivers in south-west France, the Lot meanders in dramatic loops by means of unspoilt villages, lush countryside and vineyards, in addition to historic Cahors. Vacation right here and you might be in for a scenic séjour with native tradition and delicacies an added bonus.
However inform individuals you’re staying within the Célé Valley and likelihood is you’ll be met with clean seems. Regardless that the Célé joins the Lot east of Cahors, this tranquil valley winds by means of equally fairly countryside simply north of its better-known neighbour. Keep beside the Célé and you might be having fun with one in all Occitanie’s best-kept secrets and techniques.
Le Moulin sur Célé – Luxurious vacation villa within the Lot valley
Nestled within the coronary heart of this tranquil valley is Le Moulin sur Célé, a renovated water mill and tower simply exterior Saint-Sulpice. Halfway between the enchanting medieval city of Figeac to the east and the excellent painted caves of Pech Merle to the west, this wonderful, secluded property presents a non-public luxurious expertise for 10 individuals.
The right French rural retreat combining fashionable consolation with 16th century ambiance, Le Moulin sur Célé is the imaginative and prescient of Irish hotelier Deirdre McGlone and her Swiss husband Marc Gysling, former house owners of the world well-known Harvey’s Level Lodge in Eire. The couple had 30 years’ expertise within the hospitality trade once they offered up in Donegal and started on the lookout for a smaller property in sunnier climes. Lifelong lovers of the French life-style, they considered Le Moulin sur Célé in 2020 and had been immediately smitten. Inside just a few weeks, that they had bought the trendy property and set about creating their idea of a non-public, luxurious vacation venue.
Services listed below are prime notch. Le Moulin sleeps 10 individuals in 5 bedrooms cut up between The Miller’s Home and The Tower. Outdoors, company take pleasure in a non-public part of seaside and riverbank; unique use of the 15-acre grounds; a 12-metre non-public pool; tennis court docket; and two solar terraces with furnishings and flower tubs. Non-obligatory extras embody airport transfers, baby-sitting, private coach, non-public catering, and wonder remedies.
However while it’s tempting to remain put and simply enjoy having your individual piece of French historical past for every week or two, the countryside of the Célé Valley is a delight with its genuine villages and small outlets, riverside walks, and native markets and festivals.
Uncover the Célé Valley – a secret a part of France
You could possibly, for example, have your bread delivered, however the seven-minute drive to Marcilhac-sur-Célé for baguettes and croissants makes an awesome begin to the day. Return later when everyone seems to be up and round to stroll beside the river and thru the atmospheric ruins of the 11th century Benedictine Abbey. Residence in the present day to the Vacationer Workplace, the close by Maison du Roy – King’s Home – as soon as welcomed King Henri IV.
Preserve following the river and also you quickly arrive in Sauliac-sur-Célé, a village that decamped in the course of the 19th Century from its authentic website on excessive floor beneath a sheer cliff to a extra sensible website down at river stage. Stroll up the monitor resulting in the previous village to take pleasure in a panorama of Sauliac previous and new, in addition to data panels displaying black-and-white pictures of the unique group.
Because the Célé flows nearer to the Lot, the village of Cabrerets hides a treasure of its personal for many who take time to look beneath the floor. Found in 1922, the Pech Merle caves are dwelling to among the finest prehistoric work in Europe, courting again 29,000 years. Highlights embody the Black Frieze containing 25 animal figures; the Noticed Horses panel edged by adverse handprints; and a variety of human figures together with a Wounded Man. Add in a baby’s footprint, preserved for eternity in fossilised mud, and you’ve got a website you’ll keep in mind lengthy after the vacation is over.
Pickled previously and postcard-pretty villages
From Cabrerets, it’s barely 10km to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, listed among the many elite band of Plus Beaux Villages de France and as soon as voted the village the place French individuals would most prefer to reside. With its steep cobbled streets, half-timbered buildings and ruined citadel excessive above the Lot, Saint-Cirq can be vastly in style with guests in excessive season. However keep on the Moulin-de-Célé, lower than 30 km away, and you’ll arrive earlier than this enchanting village will get busy or after the crowds have left.
Head east from Le Moulin and the Célé passes by means of Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie, a small village with an enormous historical past. Absorb the ambiance of the historic Priory of Val Paradis – the Paradise Valley – with its extraordinary bell tower, then head into Figeac, a medieval must-see of the Lot division.
The structure of the city centre has modified little because the Center Ages and medieval properties nonetheless line the slender streets, in addition to Renaissance city homes and 18th century mansions. Choose up the free leaflet, Les Clefs de Figeac, from the Vacationer Workplace for a self-guided tour round the important thing architectural gems of this enchanting Artwork & Historical past City. Or perhaps e-book a guided tour for the complete inside story.
Historic treasures
Equally absorbing is the Maison Champollion within the coronary heart of the previous city, the birthplace of Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion. In 1820, the bookseller’s son from Figeac lastly deciphered the hieroglyphs on the Rosetta Stone, opening up a better understanding of all earlier discoveries in Egypt. Uncover his fascinating story on the Musée Champollion, in addition to the event of written communication internationally.
Don’t miss the views over Figeac rooftops from the highest flooring gallery, nor the Place des Ecritures behind the museum. The unique fragment of the Rosetta Stone stands within the British Museum in London, however right here on this small sq., surrounded by interval properties, an enormous horizontal slab of granite is etched with a replica of these mysterious hieroglyphs.
From Figeac, you’ll be able to flip south to discover the perched village of Capdenac, tucked in a good loop of the Lot river. Or it can save you that for one more day and, in simply half an hour, be again at Le Moulin sur Célé to loosen up by the river, take a dip within the pool, or perhaps open a bottle of wine to take pleasure in with a meal of recent native produce from a village market. Life is stuffed with troublesome choices, however right here at Le Moulin, probably the most vital one you’ll must make is normally purple, white or rosé!
Ebook a keep at Le Moulin sur Célé and uncover a nook of paradise in southern France.
