Gourdon is a perfect base for those who love to explore. The region boasts vineyards, chateaux, caves, medieval history, canoeing, horseriding, hot air ballooning and much more.

The nearby boulevard boasts shops, restaurants and a Saturday market, making it ideal for those who love to idle away the hours in old winding streets or drinking coffee in pavement cafes. The region's gastronomic treats taste so much better with only a short stagger home ahead! This is a real opportunity to immerse oneself in French life and rub shoulders with the hospitable Gourdonnais.

The town is steeped in history: it is Betrand de Gourdon who is credited with slaying Richard the Lionheart as revenge for the slaughter of the Gourdon family. On his deathbed, Richard granted a pardon to Bertrand, which was promptly disregarded by his henchmen!

The gites are in the centre of the historic Quartier St Pierre, with its church dating from 1304. It is only a quick walk to local restaurants and there is a Cinema too (often showing films in English).

The Saturday and Tuesday markets are also a short walk away with an additional Thursday market in the summer selling local produce. There is a good selection of shops, banks and estate agents on the boulevard.

You will find many local events all year round, including medieval reenactments, musical recitals and antique markets.

The gites are is 5km from the famous Grottes de Cougnac, which boast the oldest cave paintings that can be visited in France - 25,000 years old!

It is about a 20 minutes' walk from the town lido which opens mid-June to the end of August and is used mainly by the locals.