"Saint Cirq Lapopie cast a singular spell over me of the kind
that holds you in its grasp forever."
Andre Breton, founder of Surrealism
that holds you in its grasp forever."
Andre Breton, founder of Surrealism
"Spectacular views, friendly citizens, charming shop- keepers outstanding restaurants. Magical!" J.B., CA
"Coeur de Lion was highly recommended by friends….
It was spectacular." Carla H., MN
"Living in this amazingly beautiful village
was the highlight of our vacation." S.B., OK
"The village is a small miracle of medieval beauty: wonderful shops, excellent studios, fine restaurants." D.M., MA
"Coeur de Lion was highly recommended by friends….
It was spectacular." Carla H., MN
"Living in this amazingly beautiful village
was the highlight of our vacation." S.B., OK
"The village is a small miracle of medieval beauty: wonderful shops, excellent studios, fine restaurants." D.M., MA
A unique and unforgettable vacation...
Yes, the French voted this village "the most beautiful village in France."* And yes, this is one of the least discovered of the many extraordinary regions of southern France.
But there is much more that makes this an especially distinctive vacation.Take a glance through these pages and you'll see why so many visitors --Europeans, Americans, Australians, Japanese, Scots, folks from all parts of the world-- speak glowingly about spending their holidays at our house in Saint Cirq Lapopie.
We like honest conversations, no pressure, no pitch--we want you to enjoy our home and village as much as we do: email us (morgancharles@earthlink.net) or call us (Cathy and Charlie, 617 608-1404 U.S.A.) and let's figure out if this is the perfect vacation spot for you, your friends, your family.
Yes, the French voted this village "the most beautiful village in France."* And yes, this is one of the least discovered of the many extraordinary regions of southern France.
But there is much more that makes this an especially distinctive vacation.Take a glance through these pages and you'll see why so many visitors --Europeans, Americans, Australians, Japanese, Scots, folks from all parts of the world-- speak glowingly about spending their holidays at our house in Saint Cirq Lapopie.
We like honest conversations, no pressure, no pitch--we want you to enjoy our home and village as much as we do: email us (morgancharles@earthlink.net) or call us (Cathy and Charlie, 617 608-1404 U.S.A.) and let's figure out if this is the perfect vacation spot for you, your friends, your family.
BLOGS-- click on this link, CLIFF NOTES from the south of France for interesting stories and information about the village and the Quercy region, including serendipitous tales.
Please click on the tabs near the top of the page for much more information.
(Click on any light-colored link, such as this, for additional facts.)
(Click on any light-colored link, such as this, for additional facts.)
*The village of St. Cirq Lapopie, which reputedly once repelled an invasion by King Richard the Lion-Heart (Coeur de Lion), is ranked "Premier" among France's "Most Beautiful Villages".
See if this sounds like the holiday for you...
THE VILLAGE: First of all, this is a living-in-a-unique-french-village holiday. The usual houses in the countryside with swimming pools can be wonderful, but let's not compare des pommes et une pêche! There is nothing like living in the beauty, culture, and history of a lively, friendly French village (with its own river beach, to boot).
The village is small but widely renown for its beauty. In fact it is visitors (mainly French, but from as far away as Australia and Japan) that help keep the village vibrant. But with no village hotels, most visitors just stay long enough to walk through the village, take in the spectacular vistas, and lunch or dine.
Actually living in the village is a special pleasure. And because the village is far off the beaten track, even in the middle of August, mornings and evenings offer plenty of quiet and solitude. And with its narrow streets, the village has almost no automobile traffic.
Our 'little' village is unique in other ways-- ten fine restaurants, a dozen fascinating shops, artist studios, an historic museum, ancient ruins, walking, biking, canoeing adventures, all from a perch on a huge limestone cliff, once a fortress against English invaders, with views across the beautiful Lot River valley.
The village is small but widely renown for its beauty. In fact it is visitors (mainly French, but from as far away as Australia and Japan) that help keep the village vibrant. But with no village hotels, most visitors just stay long enough to walk through the village, take in the spectacular vistas, and lunch or dine.
Actually living in the village is a special pleasure. And because the village is far off the beaten track, even in the middle of August, mornings and evenings offer plenty of quiet and solitude. And with its narrow streets, the village has almost no automobile traffic.
Our 'little' village is unique in other ways-- ten fine restaurants, a dozen fascinating shops, artist studios, an historic museum, ancient ruins, walking, biking, canoeing adventures, all from a perch on a huge limestone cliff, once a fortress against English invaders, with views across the beautiful Lot River valley.
THE HOUSE: The house has been thoughtfully restored, and the loft-like design makes it very comfortable for just two or three people, yet with lots of private space and extra bedrooms it's perfect for a gathering of couples or a reunion of friends or families.
Some important things to keep in mind:
This is a do-it-yourself house; you'll have to take care of the usual household chores just as if you were home. If problems arise, you'll find many solutions on the website and on the TouchStay app which will be sent to you once you book your stay and which you can keep on your phone. Also, the cleaners (a lovely English couple) can offer excellent advice. You are also surrounded by helpful neighbors. And we are just an email or phone call away (although with a 6 hour time difference.)
But we are off the beaten path, so some problems will require your ingenuity or adaptation-- for example, if the dishwasher breaks (although it has never happened), you'll have to wash dishes by hand, or if the dryer breaks (although it has never happened), you'll hang your laundry on the drying rack to dry.
We have no air conditioning but our thick, stone, medieval walls generally keep things quite cool (bring slippers!) and there are powerful, moveable fans for the occasional summer heat wave.
Heat is supplied by moveable electric heaters, but even better once the heat builds in our large fireplace, a thermostat kicks on fans that push heat into the living area and to the two bedrooms on the floors above the fireplace. Of course, you can just build a fire (safely, of course) for the beauty and pleasure of radiant heat.
The point is that with the occasional adaptation, nothing should get in the way of your having a wonderful time: this is your house and village to live in and enjoy.
YOUR DAYS: This is the life-- becoming a temporary citizen in one of the most beautiful villages in France, in one of the most gorgeous regions of the world, in a comfortable house, among friendly French (and some lovely ex-patriate) neighbors, bakers, artists, restaurateurs, and shopkeepers, and with adventures each day from your doorstep.
Some important things to keep in mind:
This is a do-it-yourself house; you'll have to take care of the usual household chores just as if you were home. If problems arise, you'll find many solutions on the website and on the TouchStay app which will be sent to you once you book your stay and which you can keep on your phone. Also, the cleaners (a lovely English couple) can offer excellent advice. You are also surrounded by helpful neighbors. And we are just an email or phone call away (although with a 6 hour time difference.)
But we are off the beaten path, so some problems will require your ingenuity or adaptation-- for example, if the dishwasher breaks (although it has never happened), you'll have to wash dishes by hand, or if the dryer breaks (although it has never happened), you'll hang your laundry on the drying rack to dry.
We have no air conditioning but our thick, stone, medieval walls generally keep things quite cool (bring slippers!) and there are powerful, moveable fans for the occasional summer heat wave.
Heat is supplied by moveable electric heaters, but even better once the heat builds in our large fireplace, a thermostat kicks on fans that push heat into the living area and to the two bedrooms on the floors above the fireplace. Of course, you can just build a fire (safely, of course) for the beauty and pleasure of radiant heat.
The point is that with the occasional adaptation, nothing should get in the way of your having a wonderful time: this is your house and village to live in and enjoy.
YOUR DAYS: This is the life-- becoming a temporary citizen in one of the most beautiful villages in France, in one of the most gorgeous regions of the world, in a comfortable house, among friendly French (and some lovely ex-patriate) neighbors, bakers, artists, restaurateurs, and shopkeepers, and with adventures each day from your doorstep.
A word about families and family reunions:
The village is very welcoming of families-- you'll find parents and grandparents walking with toddlers, pushing strollers, carrying babies, together wandering the village.There have been birthdays, multi-generational family reunions, cooking groups, hikers, birders, and many assorted gatherings at the house.
Children will love the castle ruins, the fresh croissants and caramel ice cream, the winding cobblestone streets, the sandy beach. And their parents will love the fact that the village is not only friendly and welcoming, it is almost impossible to get lost. Even better, the streets are too narrow for traffic except for an occasional service vehicle or lost traveler.
At the same time, remember that the house hasn't been specifically child-proofed-- there are stairs and sharp edges for you to manage, and steep streets for you to climb. For this reason, you may find the house too risky for active toddlers, at least without good supervision and some movement of furniture. Infants of course are another matter. We can provide a portable crib and high chair, upon request. If you are flexible, and adventurous, you and your kids will have a blast.
(See additional information on infants/toddlers in the Documents section under the "Your Journey" tab above.)
The village is very welcoming of families-- you'll find parents and grandparents walking with toddlers, pushing strollers, carrying babies, together wandering the village.There have been birthdays, multi-generational family reunions, cooking groups, hikers, birders, and many assorted gatherings at the house.
Children will love the castle ruins, the fresh croissants and caramel ice cream, the winding cobblestone streets, the sandy beach. And their parents will love the fact that the village is not only friendly and welcoming, it is almost impossible to get lost. Even better, the streets are too narrow for traffic except for an occasional service vehicle or lost traveler.
At the same time, remember that the house hasn't been specifically child-proofed-- there are stairs and sharp edges for you to manage, and steep streets for you to climb. For this reason, you may find the house too risky for active toddlers, at least without good supervision and some movement of furniture. Infants of course are another matter. We can provide a portable crib and high chair, upon request. If you are flexible, and adventurous, you and your kids will have a blast.
(See additional information on infants/toddlers in the Documents section under the "Your Journey" tab above.)
Photographer Peter Shinyeda took several of the more spectacular photos on this website. petershinyeda.com
