Local Information

Girard is a hamlet of the village of Duravel. It is situated between Villeneuve Sur Lot and Cahors. The 'Two valleys' consists of 6 villages: Duravel, Cassagnes, Montcabrier, Saint Martin le Redon, Soturac and Touzac, stretching from the Lot valley and the Theze Valley, bordering the Quercy, Perigord (Dordogne) and the Agenais through forests, vineyards and rolling hills and waterways.

Our particular geographical location, situated at the crossroads of the Lot, the Lot et Garonne, the Tarn et Garonne and the Dordogne will enable you to discover numerous sites such as Bonaguil Castle, the Dordogne Valley and it's castles, Cahors, Rocamadour, Saint Cirq Lapopie, Sarlat, Domme as well as the Paleolithic caves of Lascaux and Pech Merle.

You will be able to appreciate the rich architectural and cultural heritage of the region, taste the wine and enjoy local cooking and regional products.

Eating and Drinking

There are numerous restaurants in the area. Below is a list and intended as a very rough guide only. It is a good idea to book in advance for most restaurants. All serve traditional French food, with some supplementing a local menu with additional dishes such as Pizza etc.

La Recreation, Les Arques - 0565 22 88 08
L'Auberge Poule au Pot, Goujounac - 0565 36 65 48
Cafe Restaurant la Terrasse, Grezels, - 0565 21 34 03
Hotel Bellevue, Puy L'Eveque - 0565 36 06 60
La Table de Venus, Prayssac - 0565 22 47 10
Ma Chaumiere, Prayssac - 0565 22 40 52
Restaurant de la Mairie, Duravel - 0565 36 50 39
Le Stromboli Pizzeria, Puy L'Eveque - 0565 22 64 80
La Truffiere, Puy L'Eveque - 0565 21 34 54
Le Vidal, Prayssac - 0565 30 66 00
La Terrasse Riviere, Puy L'Eveque - 0565 53 62 43
La Guinguette, Grezels - 0565 30 86 91
La Bateliere, Puy L'Eveque - 0565 36 95 31

Restaurant du Pont, Castelfranc 0565 21 80 92


Facilities and Activities

Plenty of activities are available in the area, from pleasure cruises along the river to canoeing! There are lakes located nearby where you can swim, fish, sunbathe, or hire a pedallo. There are plenty of horseriding stables in the area. Cycling in the Lot Region is popular and cycle hire is available locally. if cycling is a serious interest and you wish to bring your equipment with you, there are secure lockup facilities for your bikes.

Chateau de Bonaguil, a 15th Century fortress is just 20 minutes drive away. Duravel has a 11th century church and crypt where 3 saints are buried, there are also numerous historical bastides locally.

There are also two cinemas in the area:  Cinema Louis Malle in Prayssac and Cinema Liberty in Monsempron-Libos.

Both cinemas show French as well as English films - denoted by VO (version originale). We have the latest programmes for both cinemas.


Boating on the Lot River

Come and glide down the quiet waters of the Lot River and succumb to the charms of the Cahors vineyards, not to mention the castles and villages dotted everywhere along the valley: Puy L'Eveque, Luzech, Douelle, Bouzies, St. Cirq Lapopie, Cajarc.

Alone or with a crew, aboard a passenger boat, a house boat or just a canoe, let the river's history flow past you from meander to meander. For, from the 13th century onwards, many small boats plied between Quercy and the Agen district and the little villages beside the Lot still bear witness to this intense activity.

No licence is required to hire a boat. Houseboats, motorboats, canoe-kayak can be hired from Puy L'eveque, Luzech, Cahors, Douelle and Bouzies. The Navigable stretch of the Lot is from Albas to Cregols, with further plans to open up more stretches in the very near future. This is becoming a very popular alternative method of holidaying in the Lot.


Surrounding Area

The area is surrounded by local vineyards, most of which are open for the direct sale of wine. The nearest is Le Clos D'Un Jour, is just a 10 minute walk away.

The second most visited tourist site in France is Rocamadour. Absolutely beautiful, being built in the side of a rockface. It is located in the Lot region and is absolutely well worth a visit. The local villages of Puy L'Eveque, St. Cirq Lapopie, Tournon d'Agenais, Prayssac, Cahors with it's fine wines and Pont Valentre Bridge, another must see area.

Charming, sleepy villages are not hard to find, all offering a little something special, from local markets and fine cuisine, to well known tourist attractions.


The Times Review Cahors

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/france/article6250391.ece


Boating Links

Locaboat

Babou Marine

Crown Blue Line

Lot - LeBoat


Other useful links to the surrounding area

Duravel Tourist Office

Prayssac. Tourist Office

Puy L'eveque Tourist Office

Cahors Tourist Office

Quercy Tourism

Rocamadour Tourism

Saint Cirq Lapopie Tourism


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Background History on Duravel

Ancient Gallo-Roman city, Duravel (first named Diolindum); it was a Roman military camp on the strategic Bordeaux to Lyon road. Unfortunately, vestiges of this period were destroyed during the religious wars in 1596.

In the XIth century Duravel had a priory here that depended on the Moissac Abbey (founded by Clovis and restored by Charlemagne). The bodies of three saints originating from Palestine and Egypt: Hilarion, Agathon and Poemon, were brought here where they still lie in the crypt. Regular pilgrimages originating from the 12th century still occur and every five years they are celebrated with the "Fête de l'Ostension" the next one is this year - 2010.

In 1369, "100 year war" Duravel was attacked by the English serving under Robert Knolles. The 6000 inhabitants resited for six weeks and finally drove them away. In reward the king granted them their own coat of arms.