Markets, Wine and Lunch by the River

One of the things we love most about living here in the Lot is that you really don’t have to go far to have a wonderful day.

There are markets, little villages, the Lot River, vineyards and lovely places to eat, all within easy reach of La Gaillardenque. And the best part? You don’t need to rush around trying to see everything.

So if you were staying with us, this is how we would spend a perfect day in the Lot..

Start the day with breakfast at La Gaillardenque

There is something rather lovely about having nowhere you need to be first thing in the morning. The weather in September and October is often just perfect – warm, peaceful and ideal for sitting outside.

We’d set up breakfast outdoors and take our time. A good coffee, something tasty to eat – croissants, perhaps a few eggs from our hens – and sit surrounded by vineyards, peaceful countryside, listening to the birds in the garden.

No rushing. No traffic. No alarm clock. Just a slow start to the day before heading out to explore.

A morning at the market in Prayssac

Once breakfast is finished, it’s time to head to the morning market in Prayssac, just 9 km from La Gaillardenque. Market day in Prayssac is Friday mornings from 7.30am to 12.30pm. There is also a market in a nearby village every day of the week.

Prayssac is a lovely little town and its market is a great place to wander around, especially in the morning when everything is coming to life. You’ll find local produce, meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheeses, bread, flowers and plenty of other things to tempt you.

It’s also the perfect place to pick up a few things for later in the day – we always seem to come home with more than we intended! Oh, and our dog Argo does too. And perhaps on the way home you’ll spot a little boulangerie and decide you need a fresh baguette for later. That’s one of the lovely things about being here, sometimes the best moments are the ones you hadn’t planned.

Lunch in a nearby village

There are several lovely places to have lunch, either in Prayssac, Puy-l’Évêque or Sérignac, all local villages nearby.

Puy-l’Évêque is a lovely hillside village to explore, with its narrow streets, beautiful views across the Lot Valley and charming character. It’s well worth taking a little time to wander around before or after lunch.

In Sérignac, there is a lovely local restaurant and bar, Au Bout de la Rue, which serves up a fantastic lunch. It’s where all the locals go – inlcuding us whenn we have the time, so it has to be good. The restaurant is open every day except Mondays for lunch, also Friday and Saturday for evening meals. They also serve snacks at the bar from Thursday to Sunday.

Afterwards, you can go for a lovely walk on one of the many walking trails nearby; there is one right next to Au Bout de la Rue in Sérignac.

Or, if you’d rather take a gentle walk along the riverbank, Touzac is just a few minutes down the road. The town is known for its historical landmarks, natural features and scenic lock. The gentle riverbank follows an old railway line and stretches for several kilometres, making it a lovely, easy stroll through the countryside, with the river alongside you. The river is one of the things we love most about this area. It’s beautiful, peaceful and constantly changing with the light.

If walking isn’t your thing, simply find a quiet place to sit beside the river and enjoy watching the world go by.

There are also many other local wine producers within a few minutes of La Gaillardenque Gîtes, so you really are spoilt for choice. Stop in, have a taste, discover something new, and perhaps choose a bottle to bring back with you.

Even the drive between villages is part of the experience, with vineyards, small hamlets and stunning countryside around every corner.

Back to La Gaillardenque for sunset

After a day out exploring, there really is nowhere better to be than back at La Gaillardenque. Take a seat on the terrace, open that bottle of wine you picked up earlier and relax. As the afternoon turns into evening, the countryside takes on that beautiful golden light and everything seems to slow down.

This is the point where you realise you really are on holiday.

Dinner outside under the evening sky

And finally, dinner. No need to get dressed up. No need to drive anywhere. Just a relaxed dinner outside on the terrace, perhaps with some of the local produce you picked up at the market that morning. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day.

And when dinner is finished, sit back and enjoy the evening sky. With so little light pollution around us, La Gaillardenque is also a wonderful place for stargazing. On a clear night, the stars really do put on a beautiful show.

And tomorrow? Well, that’s another day in the Lot

A day without rushing

I think that’s what makes a day like this so enjoyable. You don’t have to tick off every attraction or spend hours driving from one place to another. Everything is close enough that you can take your time, enjoy where you are, and still be back at La Gaillardenque in time for a glass of wine and the sunset.