Sainte Foy is a very old hamlet consisting of around 12 houses, several barns and numerous small constructions such as well houses and ancient bread ovens. The chapel, which replaced an earlier version, dates from the 1100’s and is built using the same marvellously crafted stone as the rest of the hamlet. Our homes are sat at the end of the hamlet, overlooking the valley and surrounding hills.
Things to do in Sainte Foy, surrounding areas, and farther afield...
Sainte Foy. Take a stroll around the hamlet, the church is from the 1100's. Hundreds of years ago the hamlet looked quite different. Maps from the middle ages show it was fortified with a chateau structure in the centre, outside of the fortification, behind the church where the communal allotments now are, lived a community in numerous small dwellings.
Follow various tracks leading away from the hamlet to explore pretty woodland, valleys, hills, sunflower fields and the odd vineyard. Nature is on the doorstep here, when you are out and about you are likely to see many different species of birds and animals.
Prayssas, the closest village, 5 mins drive away, has all the services you need. A shop, a fruit & veg shop, bakery with great bread and cakes, a couple of cafes and restaurant, pharmacy, doctors, garage etc.
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On Wednesday evenings, from mid-June to mid-Sept, there are night markets where you can buy food from the many stalls, eat in the square and enjoy the music. On Sunday mornings the square also plays host to a cute farmers market, enjoy a coffee before heading home for lunch.
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The metal Elephant nearby has become an attraction for passersby since it appeared in 2019. It is a 15 minute walk away from the hamlet, straight over at the crossroads. You will spot it beforehand as it is pretty large. It is actually a display of work by the local blacksmith. alaforgedesolenne.com.
Lac de Salabert, comprises a 25 hectare lake in a nature reserve. You can walk around the lake by following the 3km circular trail. It is a great spot for bird-watching and can be accessed by car or by hiking through the valley from the hamlet.
Horse riding is possible nearby at the ranch in Prayssas. You can go riding through forest trails and villages or have lessons at their facility. https://www.facebook.com/atoutscrins/
Kayaking, canoeing, SUP and pedalos are all possible on the Lot river 10 - 15 mins away. Bike hire is also available. https://nautilius-bks.fr/
The lily gardens in Temple sur lot are worth a visit. These are the lily gardens that inspired Monet and are a popular outing for guests. https://www.latour-marliac.com/fr/
About 20 mins drive away are a couple of large caves that are worth visiting. La Grotte de Lastournelle was discovered by a farmer, and has great examples of stalagmites and stalactites. https://www.grotte-de-lastournelle.fr/
Visiting local villages is a great way to spend some time here. Pictured is Pujols, they have a market on Sundays, other villages also have markets and their own charm. A larger village a little farther away that's also worth a visit is Penne d'Agenais.
Numerous Chateaux can be found in this part of France. Pictured here is Bonaguil, a 13th century castle, about a 50min drive away. It costs about €10 per person to enter.
Wine tasting is available at numerous vineyards. Prices vary depending on location and the package, but can be as little as €5. For example, about 35 minutes away you can find Chateau du Frandat, 1hr away is Chateau de Monbazillac, and within 1.5hrs are many wine regions such as Duras, Cahors, Bordeaux and Bergerac.
Nearby small cities such as Agen and Villeneuve offer various markets, boutique shops and restaurants. In Agen you can also find a cathedral, art museum, the canal du midi or watch some rugby. Trains from Agen to Toulouse and Bordeaux take about 1hr, or the fast train to Paris takes 3hrs.
Toulouse and Bordeaux are the nearest large cities. Both about 1hr30min drive away. They offer all the things that you can expect in large cities and are also transport hubs for onward journeys.
Visiting the Atlantic coast is a great day out for the family. The ocean can be reached in 2 hours, a whole range of destinations are possible with busier areas such as Arcachon 2 hours away to everything else up to the Spanish border about 3 hours away. Worth a visit is the tallest sand dune in Europe, the Dune of Pilat just under 2 hours away.
The Pyrenees mountain range covers a huge area and has many places worth visiting. The foothills of the pyrenees can be reached in 2.5hrs, and then there is a long list of places to explore. A favourite is the Gavarnie waterfall, the highest waterfall in France and one of the highest in Europe. There are mountain villages, pilgrimage routes and many activities for a fun day or two.