The swimming pool, seen from the bedroom

Pétrou is a one bedroom centuries-old cottage, under the branches of a huge spreading oak tree. It has been converted into a modern, warm and comfortable place for two. The well-equipped and cosy property is available throughout the year. A bottle of Cahors wine will be waiting for you!

Pétrou is set on 10 acres of land, with a 10 by 5 metre swimming pool, hidden in rolling hills between the villages of Catus and Uzech in the wine country of Cahors. It is located in the Quercy Region, at the height of land between the Lot and Dordogne Rivers. It's a beautiful, sunny and warm spot with fabulous views of the rolling countryside. There is a large roofed terrace with a gas barbecue.

The living room

The cottage is completely modernized, well insulated, and furnished for gracious relaxed living. A well equipped kitchen with stove, hob and micro-wave convection oven, and plenty of cupboard space will please the discerning cook.

The living room has armchairs, sofas, satellite TV and stereo for relaxing. There is but one step up into the bedroom from the living room.

The large roofed veranda, with loungers and gas barbecue, is an excellent place to enjoy a glass of wine or a peaceful meal. The large oak tree beside the cottage completes the idyllic setting with summer shade. Fresh fruit is available to pick in the orchard.

Pétrou is a great cottage with a well equiped kitchen for entertaining with little effort, but also a place to escape for true tranquility. It is an ideal base from which to discover the many wonderful features of the region.

The view from near the swimming pool

Pétrou, has its own nearby village gourmet cafe and potteries. It is 25 kilometres north of the Gallo-Roman city of Cahors, now part of a World Heritage Site, and 40 kilometres southwest of the cliff hanging heritage site of Rocamadour.

It is easy driving to the many beautiful villages, castles and châteaux of the Perigord to the north and west. The town of Catus is seven kilometres (10 minutes) away, where tennis, fishing, boating, and lake swimming are available. The town has many facilities and services, including a gourmet restaurant, lakeside cafes, a pizzaria, newspapers, food stores, doctors, a pharmacy, and a post office.

Pétrou from the air, and its surrounding countryside

There are many other cultural attractions in the Lot and Dordogne valleys, including the fortified (or bastide) villages of the region of Midi-Pyrénées. There are many vineyards on the nearby farms, as well as in the valleys.

Pétrou is close to the major medieval pilgrimage route, and World Heritage Site, which leads across southern Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the burial place of St. James; a route dotted with gems of Christian heritage. A map of the many local attractions for visitors is provided in Pétrou. There's no shortage of things to do, including golfing, swimming, rock climbing, caving, painting, hiking and cycling. The Lot and Dordogne Rivers have boat tours, rental boats and canoes... or just relax by the pool.

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie on the Lot River

There are a number of heritage sites and recreation areas nearby, such as Uzech, two kilometres to the east, which is the nearest community to the property. The walking is comfortable, generally on level ground, and has nice views to the south. En route is the small but beautifully restored buildings of of Richard. In the village visit the local potteries. About six kilometres to the northeast is the picturesque village of Peyrilles, with a new restaurant and other amenities. It can be reached by walking or taking back roads. Be sure to visit the many other historic villages of the Lot and Dordogne regions. Some 200 kilometres to the south lie the Pyrenees mountains, that can be seen mid-winter from the property.

The cliffside town of Rocamadour

The various routes northwest to Rocamadour cross the dry limestone plateau called the Cause de Gramat, now recognized as one of France’s natural parks. Try to go via Couzou village from the south for the best view approaching Rocamadour. En route you drive from the rich and well vegetated hills around Pétrou to quite dry causse limestone land around Rocamadour.

Plan to reach Rocamadour early in the morning, before the crowds, as it is one of the most visited places in France. Then make your way afterwards to the Gouffre de Padirac, one of the larger caves in Europe with an underground river. This is enough for a full day for most people.

While you are in this area, or if you want to go back, do visit villages and castles along the Dordogne River, including: Autoire, Loubressac, Castelnau, Carennac. Return via Floirac. Or take the D48 south from St Cere, which involves an incredible climb south to a point where you can see the ancient volcanic mountains of the Massif Central about 100 kms to the east.

The medieval town of Sarlat

Going north, the routes can take you through Gourdon, and/or Souillac, past many huge and magnificent chateaux. In Souillac the hotel school offers excellent lunches and dinners (with set menus that change daily) during the normal school terms between September and June; here reservations are essential.

While in the Sarlat-la-Caneda area, do also visit the Grotte de Lascaux, another World Heritage Site, and other pre-historic caves to be found in the Vezére River Valley. On the way back, go to the castles of Cazenac, Castelnaud, and Monfort. Also, while driving along the Dordogne River visit Domme, a fortified hilltop bastide village. Then take a cross country route back south along the D46 to the D673, and the D6 to Salvezou. There, turn east to find yourself close to Pétrou again.

Travelling west to Montbazillac and Bergerac takes one through bastide country of small and very old villages and towns, where the hills gradually disappear. This is a countryside of farms with little fortified villages dating back from the wars between the English and the French some five hundred years ago.

The town of Bergerac

Follow a cross country route via Cazals, Monpazier, the huge Chateau Biron, and Beaumont, to the vineyards around Montbazillac. Then, take some time and visit the town and vineyards west of Bergerac. This is wine country with several vineyards offering degustations. Return home south via Eymet, Castillonnes, Villereal, Montlanquin, Fumel and Puy-l'Eveque. Here you can follow the Lot River valley through the main Cahors wine country.

Wednesday and Saturday mornings are the market days in Cahors. Visit the Old City with its Cathedral and the World Heritage acclaimed Pont Valentre. Everything here is within walking distance. Then, find a small café and plan a relatively short drive down-river through Mercues, Caillac, Parnac and Luzech. Try a boat tour. You can continue on to Puy-l'Eveque on the south shore, or just return home via Chateau Caix, Crayssac, and Catus. Or go further afield to Chateau Latuc near Mauroux.

The famous bridge in Cahors

Drive to the rail station in Cahors and take the train south to Toulouse for the day and enjoy the countryside. Toulouse has a lot to see and definitely warrants such a trip. In addition, a stop in Montauban on the way back is also worthwhile.

Travelling the Lot Valley east from Cahors to Figeac follows the meandering valley past or through some of the most beautiful villages of France, such as St-Cirq-Lapopie and Calvignac. Other points of interest are the Cele River valley and la Pierre Martine (near Livernon,) which is an ancient Stonehenge-like set of large stones build in pre-historic times and the Grotte de Pech-Merle, where there are many pre-historic cave paintings.

It is also worth a full-day trip up the Lot Valley Gorge to medieval Conques on the pilgrimage trail, which is now recognized on the World Heritage List. The cathedral here is one of the gems of medieval France.