Cahors and Lot valley
Discussion
It was c 10 years ago now, but we flew to Bergerac a couple of years in a row in Aug/Sept and rented gites in a few places 30 min to an hour and a half south of the airport. We had a hire car and were out most days going to basdide towns and the usual rural tourist type locations across the area. I think we skirted around Cahors at one point, but didn't go into it.
The roads were less busy than I expected, and in far better condition that the UK (not unexpectedly). We did avoid autoroutes though and were not often on major "non-autoroute" roads from memory.
It was my first time driving on the right and I got on better than I expected (in a mighty Kia Picanto) and quite enjoyed it really - the OH (who refused to have a go behind the wheel) really didn't like the rural roads as a passenger as she felt the locals were a playing a bit fast and loose with keeping to their side of the road when going around corners - I didn't think it was any worse than the UK though. (because of this we are not allowed to hire a car abroad now
)
The smaller connecting roads that looked fine on the map were often very narrow, and unlike single track roads in the UK (I drive a lot in the Scottish Highlands so am used to them) seemed not to have passing places which was a bit lairy if you met oncoming traffic. They were generally very quiet though.
I also fell foul of the HGV road narrowing structures (narrowed chicane type sections with foot and a half high barriers either side) they put in in some places roads within 30 minutes of leaving the airport and whacked the wheels badly. Harder to negotiate than I thought even in a tiny car
Saw very little in the way of Polis, but I generally stuck close to the limits, particularly going in and out of towns and villages.
Loads of Brits around in the touristy places but not unbearably so - not sure what it is like nowadays.
The roads were less busy than I expected, and in far better condition that the UK (not unexpectedly). We did avoid autoroutes though and were not often on major "non-autoroute" roads from memory.
It was my first time driving on the right and I got on better than I expected (in a mighty Kia Picanto) and quite enjoyed it really - the OH (who refused to have a go behind the wheel) really didn't like the rural roads as a passenger as she felt the locals were a playing a bit fast and loose with keeping to their side of the road when going around corners - I didn't think it was any worse than the UK though. (because of this we are not allowed to hire a car abroad now
)The smaller connecting roads that looked fine on the map were often very narrow, and unlike single track roads in the UK (I drive a lot in the Scottish Highlands so am used to them) seemed not to have passing places which was a bit lairy if you met oncoming traffic. They were generally very quiet though.
I also fell foul of the HGV road narrowing structures (narrowed chicane type sections with foot and a half high barriers either side) they put in in some places roads within 30 minutes of leaving the airport and whacked the wheels badly. Harder to negotiate than I thought even in a tiny car
Saw very little in the way of Polis, but I generally stuck close to the limits, particularly going in and out of towns and villages.
Loads of Brits around in the touristy places but not unbearably so - not sure what it is like nowadays.
We've done it several times, it's truly lovely. Most of this part of France is ideal for motorists with low traffic volumes and well maintained tarmac. The only admittedly small fly in the baseline is most of France bows to the inevitable 20kph limit with speed humps through towns and villages. Small price to pay.
harrycovert]I live 50 miles from Cahors and can recomend the town and surronding roads I frequently use the D911 from Villefranche-de-Rouergue [location for All the Light We Cannot See said:
and it is a delight to drive.
Hi, I've been to Villefranche, the market is terrific, We stayed at Laguepie. Najac is almost ethereal in its beauty but almost everywhere down there is just so gorgeous. When we were doing driving holidays round France, for us, Cahors/Lot was always an essential leg in whatever loop we did.
As others have said, Cahors itself and the Lot valley have (had... it was a fair few years ago that we were last there) a relaxed feel to it and some lovely history/architecture. Plenty of pre-historic cave stuff around as well (also true for Dordogne, but generally busier). If you find you like the local wines, plenty of vineyards to visit too!
One of my favourite hotels in the world is just a few miles north west of Cahors
Chateau Mercues
As others have said, Cahors itself and the Lot valley have (had... it was a fair few years ago that we were last there) a relaxed feel to it and some lovely history/architecture. Plenty of pre-historic cave stuff around as well (also true for Dordogne, but generally busier). If you find you like the local wines, plenty of vineyards to visit too!
One of my favourite hotels in the world is just a few miles north west of Cahors
Chateau Mercues
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