The Aveyron department is the gateway into Southern France and enjoys a mediterranean style climate far from the madding crowd! We are situated along a little known stretch of 20-miles of the river Lot, between the lower and upper Lot Valleys - in what the Rough Guide describes as the "most beautiful section of the river Lot". This is an area of rivers and valleys with chestnut clad slopes towering spectacularly over rivers 1000 feet below. It is a birdwatchers' paradise and wildflowers abound.

The medieval villages are still largely untouched by tourism, each one proudly maintained in the unique style of this region with 'fish scale' roof tiles on the houses. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming with tourists - still looked on as something of a novelty. The restaurants are excellent and wonderful value, and range from the village restaurant where Daphne and I very often eat, for 10 Euros (£6.50) for a 5 course meal including wine and coffee, to being "entertained" with food by Michel Bras in his fantastic 3 Star Restaurant in the Aubrac about an hour away at about 75 Euros a head. He is one of the top chefs in France with a 2-month waiting list.

Walkers dream of being able to just set off from a cottage in beautiful surroundings and walk, probably not see another person en route and then at the end of their day be able to walk to a good restaurant. Most of our cottages fulfill that dream. En route you may well
encounter Eagles, Kites, Osprey, Hoopoes, Kingfishers and in May & June hear the Nightingale - as well as startle a few wild deer.

At the heart of our area is Conques, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in France and a stop over point for pilgrims en route to Compostella in Spain, for over 1,000 years. The display of gold and precious stones form one of France's most treasured collections.

The wines of this area are rarely sold other than locally and very under-rated. A wine is best enjoyed in the region where it is produced. The published `route des Vins' for visiting both Entraygues /Le Fel and the Marcillac vineyards are well worth exploring. The `route des fromages' in the Auvergne (less than an hour away), is an entertaining way of seeing the fantastic extinct volcanic scenery.

The more adventurous may wish to visit the spectacularly perched village of Rocamadour (2 hours away), also see the prehistoric cave painting at Peche Merle or take an underground boat trip at Padirac.

No one is ever quite prepared for the stunning grandeur of the 3 Tarn Gorges. Griffon Vultures circling the sky somehow make it even more awesome. The Dourbie Valley is the most picturesque of the 3 Gorges du Tarn. Richard Binns describes the Dourbie Valley as the "supreme wildflower spectacle of France". There are several spectacular caves in this area -Even Armand has every shape of stalactite and stalagmite enhanced by some brilliant lighting and the Grotte de Dargilan, the pink cavern has vast chambers and a huge bell shaped structure, here too, lighting works marvels. Here, you are on the edge of one of France's most beautiful National Parks, Parc Nationales des Cevennes, a mountainous range of scenic landscapes. Close by is La Couvertoirade, once a Templar staging post. The tiny fortified hamlet features stone ramparts and towers, all beautifully restored. All around this area you will see the grazing sheep that provide the ingredient for the famous Roquefort cheese. The factories and caves where the cheeses are stored are well worth visiting.

Albi Abbey and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum are another day trip worth considering. Sporting activities are well catered for in this area. Here in cleaner and less crowded surroundings, rivers and lakes provide all that can be offered on the coast, whether it be swimming, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, rafting or fishing. There are tennis courts in all villages, good riding establishments and good golf courses.

It was in 1987 whilst running Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire in West Wales that Daphne and I discovered this enchanting section of the Llot Valley. The Valley du Lot became our `haven of refreshment' whenever we took time out to recharge our batteries. When we sold the business in 1992 it was inevitable that we consider moving to the South of France for more sunshine and shorter winters (not to mention the food and wine). We have been here now for over a decade and loved every minute of it. We still stand and stare around this magical valley. It was also inevitable that we would meet holiday cottage owners in the valley and here we are again offering just a few properties now as your `haven of refreshment' in this still undiscovered valley.