Nearest main town Cahors 
The principal cities are Toulouse and Bordeaux. Between these two are major towns including:
Cahors: County town of the Lot and once a vibrant university town. Home of the dark red wine known as Cahors Noir. It has a charming town centre and the notable landmark of 14c Pont de Valentre
Cahors tourist office / office de tourisme Cahors  
www.tourisme-cahors.com
Prayssac: With it's memorable marble statue of Venus, it is a lively village with an excellent Friday market and a good range of shops, restaurants, cinema and an informative Tourist information office.
Prayssac tourist office / office de tourisme Prayssac
www.quercy-tourisme.com/prayssac
Catus: Once the site of a 10c priory and with a 12c Chapter house, it has an excellent leisure lake, children's adventure playground and a small range of shops.
Catus tourist office / office de tourismeCatus
www.quercy-tourisme.com/catus
St-Cirq-Lapopie: One of the prettiest villages in France sitting dramatically 330ft above the Lot. Once owned by a 7th century bishop and once the home of surrealist Andre Breton. Many artistic shops and wonderful architecture
St.Cirqlapopie tourist office / office de tourisme St.Cirqlapopie
www.saint-cirqlapopie.com 

Essential information

"What the owner says"

"Chateau Calvayrac is located in a fabulous position above the Lot river, offering unparallel views of the valley whilst one dines or relaxes on the terrace. Calvayrac offers peace and privacy, set in 10 hectares of land, it is mostly woodland, however, the gardens have lovely terraces and well kept borders and hedges.  There is a large saltwater pool and guests can help themselves to the herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, figs etc. which we grow.  The house itself is situated above impressive raised vaulted cellars, one of which is for guests to enjoy.  The house was purchased by us in 2001 having had only two previous owners in its 700 year history. We also acquired the entire contents which include many Quercy antique pieces - we have sympathetically restored the house maintaining its unique character and all the contents (but with a few fun additions too!).  We can confidently say almost all guests come away with the comment that Calvayrac offers something special."

Chateau Calvayrac dates from the 13th century and nestles in ten hectares high above the River Lot with expansive views over the valley, vineyards, and the village of Prayssac. The chateau has a fascinating history. It was built in local Quercy stone in the era of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is reputed to have visited the chateau. It remained in the De Soudrie family for 8 centuries, later being bought by Mme Piquet and her French General  husband.  Guests will be able to read more about the chateau during their holiday.
It has been English owned since 2001 and has been sympathetically restored and is traditionally furnished, retaining the historical and unique regional character of the house. Nearest main town: Prayssac: 5 minutes, and Cahors: 20 minutes.

Doors lead through to the grand formal dining room which has a central fireplace and access into the main sitting room. The main reception room is light and spacious with a central fireplace and also opens into the central hallway.
   

There are two double bedrooms on the ground floor, one of which is the master bedroom with a four poster bed and an en-suite bathroom. Separate wc.

The charming central hallway has a wide winding staircase leading to a light, spacious gallery that has bar football, television area with large sofa and a fun hammock.

The family bedroom has a king size bed and a French double bed. There are two twin bedrooms, one of which has a hand basin, and there is also a further double bed/sitting room and a smaller but pretty double bedroom. The two newly fitted bathrooms on this floor have baths, showers, and basins.

On entering the walled courtyard to the side of the house, two doors enter into the vaulted above ground cellars, one of which is available for guests to enjoy  meals out of the hot sunshine. The large doors of the cellar open into the grounds. Within the grounds there are two small ponds and there is a further round terrace below the main terrace. The 15 x 6m pool is set below the house in a grassed area in full sunshine. There are many mature trees for guests to find shade, and the walled courtyard is also ideal for “al fresco” meals.

The caretakers live in a cottage close-by and are on hand for advice and information. 

Dates