Le Petit Bois

The natural landscape in this area is pretty spectacular – a couple of prime examples to explore are the amazing underground caverns and lakes of Gouffre de Padirac (25 minutes’ drive) and the Jurassic caves at Lacave (40 minutes), accessed via a tour on a little electric train. Hikes to La Cascade d'Autoire (15 minutes) are popular too, as are canoe outings to see the riverside views along the Lot (half an hour). The way people have inhabited these areas are rather intriguing too, as you’ll see on visits to clifftop villages like the gorgeous medieval Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (an hour) and Rocamadour (35 minutes), built across three terraces and linked by the 216 steps of the Great Staircase. While you’re in the Rocamadour area it’s worth stopping in to meet the cheeky residents of Monkey Forest and the impressive birds of prey at Rocher des Aigles (both half an hour). For more animal encounters, try Animal Park of Gramat (25 minutes), which has bears, alpacas and lynx among its residents.