Domaine Papillon

If you’d like to stretch your legs in rural surroundings, you won't have to stray far – simply take a stroll to the local village of Reyrevigne (10 minutes’ walk), perhaps stopping in at its snail breeding farm and goose farm while you’re there. A little further away, you can also wander around the lake and Renaissance castle in Assier (10 minutes’ drive), visit medieval Figeac (15 minutes) or head to Saint-Bressou (15 minutes) for gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding countryside. For a tour of the area’s big-hitting sights, add to your list places like the clifftop village of Rocamadour (40 minutes) and its nearby Monkey Forest, the caves of Gouffre de Padirac (35 minutes), the prehistoric drawings at Pech Merle (35 minutes) and the gorgeous village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (45 minutes). If you’re not worn out yet, continue on with trips to the Animal Park of Gramat (25 minutes), House of Art Georges Pompidou (half an hour) and all manner of historic buildings including Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux (40 minutes) and Château Cenevières (45 minutes).