Local facilities : the nearest shops are in Cazes-Mondenard, 5 minutes by car with cafe restaurant, boulangerie (closed Mondays), small supermarket, bank and newsagent. There is a larger Intermarche supermarket at the entrance to Lauzerte where you will find several restaurants half way up the hill and 2 cafes in the attractive square at the top where there are spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
Moissac is a larger town on the river Tarn, fifteen minutes by car to a big, well stocked Intermarche with excellent fresh fish, cheese counter etc. There is an adjoining brasserie. In the town centre there is a large square where the weekend markets are held. Lots of reasonably priced restaurants, several close to the Abbey. The cloisters are well worth a visit.
Montauban is the capital of the Tarn et Garonne departement, half an hour east by car. The Place Nationale is a fine square with lots of cafes and restaurants and a large, attractive pedestrianised shopping area in a network of the old narrow streets. There is an impressive museum by the river with many works by the artist Jean-Auguste Ingres (1780-1867) a native of Montauban .
Markets : Tuesday Valence d’Agen , Wednesday Lafrancaise, Thursday small farmers market in Cazes-Mondenard, Saturdays and Sundays Moissac (my neighbours say the Sunday one is best, great local produce with cheeses, breads, meat, organic fruit and vegetables).
Restaurants : as you would expect in France there is a large choice of places to eat, usually at very reasonable prices, particularly lunchtime. Our favourite for lunch is “L’Art du Temps” in Lafrancaise, fifteen minutes by car. Dine al fresco in good weather but advisable to book during holiday periods. In Lauzerte “L’Etna” pizzeria is popular and good value while the “Hotel du Quercy” offers more traditional local menus. Moissac has a wide choice of places to eat and further a field “L’Auberge du Bardigues” is excellent and could be combined with a visit to the pretty village of Auvillar, a little further west on the GR 65. Please let us know of any discoveries you make during your stay.
Things to do : Carbou is a perfect place to unwind and enjoy the peace. There are lots of books to read, table tennis and the private pool. If you’re feeling energetic there are plenty of local walks, from the house to Lauzerte past the tiny but beautiful church of St Sernin takes you through some lovely countryside. The immediate area is quite hilly but bike hire is available in Moissac for the flatter terrain near the river. For canoeing you would need to venture a little further a field to St Antonin Noble du Val, about an hour from the house, east of Montauban on the Aveyron River, famous for it’s gorges.
