CULTURE
A REGION FULL OF HISTORY
Many roads lead to Santiago de Compostella. One of them is the Via Podiensis, the GR 65, which starts in Le Puy-en-Velay and passes on the ground of the Domaine de Gayfié. At our place, you are amidst the famous hills of the Quercy and since the 10th century, pilgrims have stopped here to replenish their reserves.
Connected to nature…
ARCHITECTURE
MEDIEVAL BUILDINGS FAR AND WIDE
MARKETS
DISCOVER THE SPECIALTIES OF THE REGION
FESTIVITIES
EXPERIENCE LIVING VILLAGE CULTURE
FAR AWAY FROM MASS TOURISM
MEDIEVAL VILLAGES & TOWNS
Centuries of trade and hospitality have left their mark on the region. In the immediate neighbourhood of the Domaine de Gayfié, there are numerous medieval towns and villages that have preserved their original spirit over time. And although they offer unique cultural and culinary treasures, they have been spared by the great streams of global mass tourism until today.
For those who enjoy walking along historical paths and have a sense of architecture, there are day trips inviting to see Rocamadour, Conques, the Chartreuse St Sauveur monastery in Villefranche-de-Rouergue or Toulouse-Lautrec’s home town of Albi. Figeac, 25 km away, has a beautiful historic town centre and stands out for its young, artistically inclined population and lively city life.
For those who enjoy walking along historical paths and have a sense of architecture, there are day trips inviting to see Rocamadour, Conques, the Chartreuse St Sauveur monastery in Villefranche-de-Rouergue or Toulouse-Lautrec’s home town of Albi. Figeac, 25 km away, has a beautiful historic town centre and stands out for its young, artistically inclined population and lively city life.
““This idyllic rural location is nestled a short distance from Toulouse in the south-western Lot region, renowned for its food and wine””
— Crack Magazine
ANCIENT BUSTLE
THE MARKET CULTURE OF THE QUERCY
The market culture, which is still alive today, radiates an even more original attitude to life. Practically every day there is a market in one of the surrounding villages, where products from the region are sold. A special insight into the local culture is provided by the summer “Marchés Nocturnes”, where people gather in the center of the village at the blue hour, cook simple dishes typical for this region and sitting at long tables.
EPICURE’S HEAVEN
SPECIALTIES OF THE REGION
The Quercy is a top place to experience the French way of enjoying dinner. Few regions of the world have produced so many epochal products. Cheese specialities as the Tome de Brebis, the Cantal and the Rocamadour, and meat products like foie gras, Magret Canard and raw Aveyron ham combined with Charentais melon are famous. The Stockfish, a salted fish from the towpath to Bordeaux is also a traditional meal.
The Méchoui is a kind of meal gathering people around an open fire while roasting a big piece of meat on a spit and drinking black Cahors wine with it. Also well known: the typical French aperitif where friends and people spontaneously come together, everybody contributes with something to eat and have a drink, beginning at dawn and ending before dinner time.
The lively culture of “sharing flavours” is also represented in the high quality of the surrounding small restaurants. “Jeu de Quilles” in Cajarc and “Art et Galets” in Villeneuve d’Aveyron are just two of many places to discover.
The Méchoui is a kind of meal gathering people around an open fire while roasting a big piece of meat on a spit and drinking black Cahors wine with it. Also well known: the typical French aperitif where friends and people spontaneously come together, everybody contributes with something to eat and have a drink, beginning at dawn and ending before dinner time.
The lively culture of “sharing flavours” is also represented in the high quality of the surrounding small restaurants. “Jeu de Quilles” in Cajarc and “Art et Galets” in Villeneuve d’Aveyron are just two of many places to discover.
