Towns & Villages
Halcyon Leisure properties are situated within a 25 mile radius of Montaigu-de-Quercy, straddling the regions of Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrenees. The regions’ towns and villages are always worth exploring, and with 30 villages listed as being amongst the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’, visitors are never disappointed. The principal cities are Toulouse and Bordeaux, with many interesting towns and villages in between, including:
AGEN: The County town of the Lot-et-Garonne which changed hands 11 times during the Hundred Year’s War, and is well known for its plums (pruneaux). On the banks of the Garonne river there is a beautiful museum housed in four Renaissance houses.
BEAUVILLE: Complete with arcades, gothic church and superb views from the hilltop on which it is perched. Local shops, a leisure lake and restaurant.
BOURG de VISA: A small local village close to the Gaulish spring ‘source de St Quinin’ with restaurant, small supermarket, bank and boulangerie.
CAHORS: County town of the Lot and home to the dark red wine known as Cahors Noir. It has a charming town centre and the notable landmark of 14c Pont de Valentre.
CATUS: Once the site of a 10c priory and with a 12c chapter house, Catus has an excellent leisure lake and a small range of shops.
DAUSSE: Quiet village on the main road between Penne d’Agenais and Tournon d’Agenais: Food lovers will keenly seek Le Moulin de Dausse for delightfully imaginative food.
FUMEL: Named after Francois de Fumel, once captain of the king’s guard and Catherine de’Medici’s ambassador to Constantinople. It has a good range of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and a cinema.
LAUZERTE: Nicknamed the Toledo of Quercy, its interesting square, one corner of which looks as it has been turned up like a page of a book, sits in the centre of the village. Choice of restaurants and shops. Tremendous views across the countryside.
MOISSAC: On the banks of the Tarn river this bustling town with lively weekend markets, is famous for its Romanesque Abbey and Cloisters.
MONFLANQUIN: Founded in 1256, this lovely colonnaded village with a superb square and arcadesis considered to be one of the best examples of a bastide village.
MONPAZIER: An ‘English bastide’ founded by Edward I in the late 13th century: This architectural treasure has a delightful assortment of small shops, cafés and restaurants, and is in superb countryside
www.northofthedordogne.com/monpazier.php
MONTAUBAN: County town of the Tarn-et-Garonne. This rose-hued town was founded in 1144 and has an interesting old town, cathedral and the prestigious Ingres art museum.
MONTAIGU-de-QUERCY: Was the site of a 12c castle built by Raymond V of Toulouse. Now this atmospheric lively village has a range of local shops, a typical French market each Saturday and a large leisure lake
MONTCUQ: A lively village dominated by the 12c Tour Comtale with a superb Sunday morning market. Restaurants, leisure lake and local shops.
PENNE d’AGENAIS: Penn means hill crest in Celtic and this lovely restored ‘arty’ village once had a castle built by Richard Coeur de Lion and has an interesting basilica, spectacular views over the Lot river, and many restaurants.
PRAYSSAC: Prayssac has a memorable marble statue of Venus and is a lively village with an excellent Friday market and a good range of shops, restaurants and a cinema.
PUJOLS: Noted medieval hill village just south of Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Great views across Villeneuve, the River Lot and away to the north.
www.france-voyage.com/tourism/pujols-1604.htm
ROQUECOR: A busy but laid back hilltop village with the choice of 4 restaurants and Sunday morning market. Interesting local history displayed throughout the village.
ST ANTONIN-NOBLE-VAL: Once a Cathar stronghold, this charming village has a good choice of restaurants, shops and is close to the stunning Aveyron Gorge.
www.tourisme-saint-antonin-noble-val.com
ST MAURIN: A pretty half-timbered village which includes the ruins of a 1097 abbey. It has a small shop and restaurant.
www.tourisme-paps.fr/saint-maurin
ST-CIRQ-LAPOPIE: One of the prettiest villages in France sitting dramatically 330ft above the Lot. Once the home of surrealist Andre Breton, there are many artistic shops and wonderful views.
TOURNON d’AGENAIS: Pretty royal bastide village from 1271 and on the route of St Jacques de Compostella with a lovely square and belfry tower. Superb views, a leisure lake, restaurants, small supermarket and a seasonal market.
VALENCE d’AGEN: A pretty town with a lovely square. Originally a 1283 bastide it has a good range of shops & restaurants and a 9 hole golf course nearby, as well as markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
VILLENEUVE-SUR-LOT: A powerful bastide on the banks of the Lot river. Founded in 1264, a large quantity of small streets have been preserved along with half-timbered buildings. Close by is a superb 18-hole golf course.
www.ville-villeneuve-sur-lot.fr