The Region & the Lot

A scenic and fascinating corner of the Occitan world, a lesser-known part of France, it was called the Quercy before the Revolution. Today it has become the Lot département. Its neighbours are the Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, the Aveyron, Cantal and Corrèze. It is the most northerly part of the administrative region called Occitanie (formerly Midi-Pyrénées) and is but a few kilometres from the Nouvelle Aquitaine, the region that runs to the Atlantic coast.

The area is famous for its wealth of prehistoric and medieval sites, picturesque hilltop villages, and its unspoiled, varied countryside.

Rocamadour, St. Cirq-Lapopie and the Valentré Bridge at Cahors are the best known sites in the Lot. Many less familiar but equally delightful treasures await the enquiring visitor. The Paleolithic cave at Pech-Merle is of international renown, and the short drive along the narrowing Lot valley is worth making for its own sake. The numerous sites of prehistoric interest in the Dordogne are just as accessible, and all are within a comfortable day trip from Montcabrier. A visit to at least one of the many castles in the area is a ‘must’. Bonaguil, Biron, Beynac and Castelnaud represent some of the finest châteaux forts in France.

Cahors wines, along with those from Bergerac, Bordeaux, Buzet, Duras, Gaillac and Monbazillac are all at hand to turn the simplest meal into a sociable pleasure. One of the world’s best-known digestifs, Armagnac, comes from just south of Agen, only a short drive away.

The gastronomic reputation of the region is outstanding. It is recognised worldwide that this is a place where one eats very well. It is not so widely realised that the value for money is unbeatable and that the local cuisine has been credited with contributing to long life.

Montcabrier & Atelier de la Rose

Montcabrier is a bastide village, a medieval new town, founded in 1297.

Situated in the heart of the small hilltop village of Montcabrier, near the Dordogne and Aquitaine, Atelier de la Rose nestles in an land of enchantment and tranquillity. It is truly a refuge from the troubles of the 21^st century.

Being a cul-de-sac means that there is no through traffic in the village. There are footpaths that go out into the surrounding woodland in 4 directions, several of which are part of the Santiago de Compostella trail.

The village of Montcabrier has a year-round population of about 30 people. Its only shop, the bakery, provides fresh bread and croissants for breakfast. The bakery also sells groceries that can be the basis for a delicious picnic.

Atelier de la Rose has a terrace where you can have breakfast, dinner or a picnic and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding woodland.