St Denis Catus is just 1 km away, standing on the river Vert. It is a mostly residential village with few shopping facilities.

The Village of Catus (3kms) has a bar, a small supermarket, a pharmacy, a newsagent (with English newspapers) a Post Office, butcher/charcuterie, a baker/boulangerie and a local tourist office. There is a friendly atmosphere in Catus and a visit is highly recommended on market day (Tuesday morning) or during the village fete (mid-July). Just beyond Catus is Lake Vert, with restaurants and a variety of water-related activities.

Between Catus and Cahors is the village of Mercues with its beautiful and imposing chateau. Besides wine production, the chateau is operated as an hotel and restaurant. There are many wine producing chateaux in the immediate vicinity and most offer free tastings, so you can choose your preferred vignoble and vintage. Within the same small area you can also find many farms offering local specialities - particularly pate de foie gras.

Duelle (to Mercues, then between the vineyards and across the River Lot - about 15 mins by road) is a lovely traditional town with bars and restaurants by the river. There are many such villages situated along the banks of the River Lot.

Cahors is an ancient city dating back to one century BC. Much of the town still has medieval architecture. The enthusiastic tourist office in the centre of the town will help you to plan your stay in the locality. Cahors keeps an informative web site on http://www.mairie-cahors.fr/. Here you can find the local program of events throughout the year, local history and information on travelling to Cahors. There are two markets in Cahors - Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings.

The river trip which starts from the Pont Valentre gives an excellent view of the medieval city and, on the river bed, the foundations of a still older bridge can be seen from the boat.

The village of St. Cirq La Popie is 20 minutes from Cahors and must be seen. Set on a hill high above the River Lot, St. Cirq La Popie has a rich history. Named France's most beautiful village, it has narrow streets lined with local artisans' homes where they sell their work ranging from leather goods to jewellery. The village also abounds with cafes and restaurants where you can observe village life before making your way to a vantage point where the river below and the panorama of the area can be viewed.

The Grotte du Peche Merle can be found at Cabrerets, near to St. Cirq La Popie. This is the site of wonderfully preserved prehistoric cave paintings of humans, mammoths, bison and horses. There are human footprints visible at the bottom of a dry pool, as well as stalactites, stalagmites and pisolites (cave pearls).

There are other prehistoric sites near Rocamadour which is only about an hour away by road. The village of Rocamadour is built into the hillside, with the churches clinging to the rock above and the chateau at the very top. From the village, you can take the "Grand Escalier" which is 216 steps up to the shrine of St Amadour.

Albi (called the " rose city " due to being built from local pink granite stone) is the site of the Toulouse Lautrec Museum.