Holidays in the Lot in France
Why not discover the enchanting Lot: a beloved spot for culture, nature and sports enthusiasts
Welcome to Domaine Le Martinet, a small-scale holiday paradise for adults, comprising of 3 classified, self-contained gîtes (each for 2 persons) and a wonderful large swimming pool (10×5) with sun terrace. All this is situated in sloping grounds of 1 hectare, surrounded by green hills and valleys as far as the eye can see.
The cottages are fully equipped for 2 adult people and the swimming pool is only shared with the guests of the other 2 cottages. Our domain as well as our cottages are non-smoking and pet free and are not suitable for people with reduced mobility. At the parking you can charge your electric car at night at our charging point (3,7 kW).
Le Martinet, where we live as well, is situated at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac but is close to a wide range of other local facilities including bakeries, shops, fantastic restaurants and many tourist attractions. Remote, in the countryside, but not isolated. And oh so beautiful!
From Le Martinet, you walk straight into the woods from where beautiful hiking and cycling routes start. So take your own bikes with you or easily rent them and have them delivered right in front of your cottage.
Outdoor living in the cleanest air in France
Did you know that the Lot region in France has been declared as having some of the best air quality in the whole of France? Add to that the pleasant climate, the peace and tranquillity, the absence of mass tourism, et voilà, you have the perfect combination for an unforgettable holiday.
Living in the Lot is wonderful and mainly takes place outdoors. Every cottage has their own private terraces, its plancha and enough secluded areas to enjoy the sun or to find some shade. The Lot region has a fantastic climate due to the absence of strong winds, is pleasantly warm in spring and autumn and has mild winters. In summer, the nights are nice and cool so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Slow-tourism, the new tourism
The Lot region borders the Dordogne but here, you don’t have to rush to tick off the main attractions and can still stroll at leisure through picturesque villages with a baguette under your arm, a stinky cheese in your bag and a castle in the background: life can be so simple and wonderful.
But if you feel like sitting outside of a French café to watch the world go past or want to experience good food and shopping, then you can easily drive to the nearby towns with all their entertainment and culture.
Close to the picturesque, world famous village of Les Arques
Domaine Le Martinet is close to Les Arques, a charming village 3 km away. You would not expect it but Les Arques is a huge attraction for culture lovers from all over the world. This is because of the museum dedicated to the Russian-born sculptor Ossip Zadkine who is best known in the Netherlands for his sculpture “The destroyed city” in Rotterdam. Zadkine lived and worked in Les Arques for a part of his life and the museum is now located next to his former summer residence and studio. From Le Martinet it is only half an hour’s short walk through the woods to get to Les Arques.
Bon appétit et santé!
And for the food connoisseurs among us: Les Arques offers a fantastic restaurant, La Récréation, which has a recommendation in the Michelin guide. But if you would rather go for something simpler, or just a coffee and a treat, then head to the tea garden of La P’tite Place. And of course there are plenty of typical French bistros, cafés and restaurants in the area, where, during high season, you can have your drinks and dinner in a lovely musical atmosphere.
In Cazals, where the best baguette of France is baked
And we are not the only ones with that opinion. In Cazals (7 km) there is a bakery that won several prizes for the best, traditionally baked bread! It is not unusual to see people queuing up outside of the bakery to experience the wonderful bread, cakes and pastries all of which are prepared with love and care. And you can taste that!
Prefer to be a bit more active?
In that case: enjoy the many walking and cycling routes through the woods, along the river Lot or traverse the vineyards in the area. We have already picked out the best walking and cycling routes for you. Just start right from your cottage and go. Or take a horse ride, paddle down the river in a canoe, feel the adrenaline with a parachute jump or a Via Ferrata. Looking for something calmer? How about a unique experience from the sky in a hot air balloon, with spectacular views on the Dordogne and its fairytale castles?
More activities…
In the Lot and the nearby Dordogne there are lots of fun things to do and therefore we have made a nice selection of day trips for you to choose from. And if you cannot decide, we will be happy to help you. To get an idea of the possibilities, have a look on our Google My Maps.
