Locally
There’s plenty to explore around Le Mas Sarrat, either with family or a group of friends. Just a 15-minute drive away, the beautiful Lac Vert at Catus is ideal for a swim or a leisurely picnic, with free tennis and basketball courts, a play park and a snack bar/restaurant. Pedalo and kayak hire are available from 1 July to 31 August, while marked trails through nearby forests offer a peaceful way to discover the countryside.
Explore the medieval town of Cahors, where a bustling market, independent shops and restaurants sit alongside historic sights, including the magnificent Pont Valentré. Take your time wandering the streets, stop for lunch or hop aboard the little tourist train to see the sights.
For adventures on the water, enjoy a boat trip along the River Lot, hire a motorboat or try water skiing. Back on land, explore by bike, with electric bikes available locally, take a walk with donkeys, enjoy horse or pony riding, or get creative with pottery painting. Paragliding and go-karting offer something for those seeking a little more excitement.
Families will also find plenty of memorable days out, from the Dino Park and Eagles Mountain to Gramat Animal Park and the Ferme du Mas Sarrat petting farm.
Food and Wine
This is an area that takes its food seriously - it even has its own foody magazine and website: Les Bonnes Tables du Lot.
The summer months are filled with local village fetes, opportunities to visit local farms and sample their produce, enjoy tea and ice creams in a beautiful tea garden, eat moules frites by a local lake and visit organic farmers’ markets overflowing with delicious seasonal specialities.
And the restaurants … whether you fancy a simple, oven-baked pizza, a plate of steak frites, a typical, informal 'menu du jour' or an unforgettable gourmet experience at the Michelin-starred Gindreau restaurant, you will be spoilt for choice!
The area is known for its Cahors Malbec wine production. There are so many vinyards to visit for tastings, many with activities and play areas for children to enjoy whilst you sample the local offerings and see how the wine is made. White and rose production has blossomed in the area and micro breweries are now springing up too.
Walking, Cycling & Fitness
We challenge anyone to try at least half of the wonderful marked walking tracks accessed directly from Mas Sarrat! There is endless beautiful walking in the area, through woodland and pasture, with abundant orchids, other wild flowers and wild deer. Maps are provided in all accommodation. Well-behaved dogs are welcome with prior arrangement.
We are located on a cycling route. Both road and mountain biking are very popular, with enormous choices for both. Electric bicycle hire is also available locally. We can organise bikes to be delivered to Mas Sarrat to await your arrival and arrange for their return when you leave.
In addition, the running opportunities are endless, and we are happy to organise private yoga tuition (with enough advance notice).
Flora and Fauna
For anyone interested in wildflowers and wild orchids in particular, the Lot Valley must feature high on the list of must-visit destinations. Many other picturesque and ancient villages lie beside the Lot and Cele rivers as they pass through an outstanding landscape of meadows, old pastures, woods and cliffs. The combination of rustic French architecture, scenic beauty and wonderfully-diverse wildlife makes this area a difficult place to beat when choosing a holiday destination in France.
Apart from the wildflowers, the area is renowned for its prolific birdlife, butterflies and other insects; it is truly a naturalist’s paradise.
Culture & History
From the minute you leave the cottage, to take a walk or drive in the area, you cannot fail to notice evidence of the region’s diverse historical past.
Close to Le Mas Sarrat is the fascinating medieval town of Cahors, with shops, restaurants, a bustling market, the magnificent Pont Valentre and many historic sites.
There are also chateaux, gardens, caves and the spectacular mountainside villages of Rocamadour and St Cirq Lapopie.
