Summer 2024

Rocamadour
Discover the LOT
The Lot department in the
Occitanie region (formerly
Languedoc-Roussillon) is
home to some of France’s most
enchanting and picturesque
villages set amidst rolling hills,
meandering rivers and lush
countryside.
The Lot is a land of tranquil valleys, soaring
cliffs and gentle rivers. It’s authentic and
unspoiled and has excellent train services, plus
great road links to Paris, Toulouse and Spain
(via the A20). It’s also got plenty of sunshine,
with summer months averaging around 30°C.
Peppered with historic towns, and sleepy
villages, it’s the sort of place you fall head
over heels for, as did Deirdre McGlone and
husband Marc Gysling from Ireland, now
owners of Le Moulin-sur-Célé, a gorgeous
gite in the rather secret Célé Valley, near
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, east of Cahors. “There
is something special about this area” says
Deirdre, “wherever you go, you keep finding
more beautiful villages, vineyards, festivals,
welcoming restaurants, prehistoric caves,
wildlife. It’s great for walkers, cyclists, history
lovers, nature lovers, artists and foodies… well
everyone really. It’s that special.”
Six of the 160 or so villages classified most
Le Moulin-sur-Cele
beautiful in France (Plus Beaux Villages de
France) are in the Lot. Magnificent castles,
old stone houses, historic monuments,
ancient wonders and gastronomic delights
are among the many charms of this beautiful
part of France.
The prettiest villages
in the Lot
Loubressac
Loubressac is famous for its dazzling
panoramic views over the Dordogne, Cère
and Bave valleys. Its narrow, cobbled streets
with hilly staircases, wind past ancient
ochre-coloured stone houses festooned with
colourful flowers and ivy-covered facades.
French photographer Robert Doisneau said
that Loubressac has “the most beautiful light
in the world” – it’s easy to see what inspired
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