Village des Cigales

If sleepy villages and towns with cobbled streets are your thing, start off in nearby Puy-l'Évêque (15 minutes' drive), a medieval riverside spot, or head to Fumel (15 minutes) and poke around its château. At Fumel you can also take boat trips on the river Lot, a scenic spot whose many historic sights will be pointed out by knowledgeable local navigators. This part of France doesn't mess around when it comes to wine. Connoisseurs can stock up on bottles of Cahors, an AOC red grown in vineyards west of the town of the same name (an hour); if you're not sure you want to drive so far (or if all that driving doesn't fit with your drinking plans) there are also some great local vineyards on the Lot around Fumel. If the kids aren't into all these winemaking demos, change tack with trips to Parc en Ciel adventure park (half an hour) or to meet the zoo animals at Z'Animoland (45 minutes).