Pagel

It's a 10-minute drive to the village of Catus for places to eat, a bakery, a Tuesday market and, best of all, a green lake with a beach where you can swim or hire a pedalo. In addition, there are all sorts of trails for walking or mountain biking, and an equestrian centre is on hand too for horse treks through the luscious Lot valley. Half an hour away is Cahors, an elegant city famed for its bridge, many tempting wineries, medieval cathedral and museum on the French Resistance. It's also a good spot for river trips and supermarket stock-ups. History fans can visit Sarlat, Saint Cirq Lapopie and Rocamadour with its narrow paved streets and impressive old architecture – all of which can be reached within an hour. Families will come across plenty of suitable attractions around Rocamadour – a monkey forest, prehistoric Dino Park and Gramat animal park (where you can come face to face with bears, deer and wolves) are all options within an hour of base. Those more into caves than creatures can visit the prehistoric specimens and paintings at Merveilles or take a train ride through the limestone caverns at Lacave, both 50 minutes away.