Local Area and Activities
The local area offers a wide range of activites which together with the excellent climate makes it a beautiful all year round destination. Here are a sample of local activities, places and things to do:

• As well as our own horses on site our next door neighbour runs a riding school with a large range of horse and ponies for exploring the local countryside.
• The nearby rivers of Aveyron and Tarn offer a number of opportunities for lovers of the great outdoors, climbing, walking, swimming, canoeing, rafting and cycling.
• There are lakes with water related activities such as sailing and windsurfing.
• The local rivers are also a delight for those wishing to peacefully while away the hours beside the riverbanks fishing.
• The area also has a number of spectacular gorges with stunning views.

We have a local English friend who owns a large fishing lake which is available to our visitors.

The French have a prestigious club of 139 "most beautiful villages", and a number of these are close by including Puycelci, Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Najac, Conques, and Belcastel. Also nearby are the bastide towns such as Cordes and Bruniquel, set up high with breathtaking views.

The beautiful fields of sunflowers has led to the area of Albi/Gaillac/Cordes to be known as France's Golden Triangle.

Monclar, the nearest town, is 5 minutes drive away with local facilities including a boulangerie, phamarcy, post office, bank, a mini supermarket, three bars, three restaurants and a small hotel. Opening soon - a new water park centre with a large outdoor covered pool and slides at the lake in Monclar.

Montauban, a large and pretty town situated on the river Tarn is 15 minutes away, with a lively centre providing designer shops, quality restaurants and outside bars in the main medieval square. And for floral lovers Montauban has the largest rose garden in France.

Toulouse, one of the largest and most popular cities in Europe, is situated a 40 minute drive away, with its young cosmopolitan feel.

The area is also steeped in history, you can walk along the St Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage trails with Conques being a major staging post on the pilgrims' way to Santiago de Compostala. You can follow the route of the Lords of Rouergue visiting many of the chateaux. Just north is Rocamadour one of France's most visited destinations on the route to Lourdes.

Many of the nearby towns have weekly markets filled with locally grown fruit and vegetables. The sunny warm climate makes it perfect for huge fruit crops of melons, plums, pears and grapes.

The local wine is Gaillac and in the town of Gaillac which also has good restaurants you can visit and sample this at the nearby vineyards.

Or sample a cool pastis or beer whilst enjoying the locally produced rich Roquefort cheese. Alternatively why not try the gorgeous 'galettes' - crepes with any sweet or savoury filling you can imagine.