1) There are lots of great villages in France; why was St.Cirq Lapopie
voted 'the most beautiful'?
Of the 32,000 villages in France (!), 157 have been designated "les plus beaux villages" (the most beautiful villages), chosen for their special beauty, historical significance, and importance to the future of France. In 2012, a vote was opened to all French citizens as to which village was number one and, while it has one of the smallest populations of all the villages, St. Cirq Lapopie had the most votes. (The contest was for fun, of course; each of the villages is outstanding in its own unique way, and there have been other winners over the years.)
2) Is the village crowded with tourists in the summer?
Uniquely, St. Cirq Lapopie has no hotels in the village (just several vacation rental houses, a couple of small B&Bs and one large one) so visitors typically come for a stroll, some sightseeing, and a meal, and then are off to their next destination. Also, the village is just enough off the beaten track that visitors tend to come later in the morning and most have moved on by late afternoon, which means even in August there is plenty of quiet and solitude. Living in the village is very, very different than just strolling through it.
However, visitors are also a great pleasure-- they come from all over the world, they keep the restaurants and shops open and lively, and sometimes even good friendships arise. But when you live in the village (even if just for a week), you come to feel a bit like a host, proud to be living there, enjoying the wonder in people's eyes as you walk out the door, yet also having your mornings and evenings all to yourself and your friends, old and new. And whether in April or August, July or October, you can hike the hills, bike along the river, or just wander the valley, still marveling at what a relatively undiscovered region of France this is.
3) What are the best months to visit?
I know we'll sound like a travel agency here, but our family has spent time at the house during every part of the season: the village is beautiful year-round, but the weather is quite temperate and lovely from early April to the end of October. Our family has spent the most time there in August, and we loved it, the weather, the liveliness, the sunsets, the beach (even during the occasional heatwave--more on that below). Temperatures are rarely too cold or too hot during most of the 7 month season-- naturally brisker in April and October (we've spent lovely weeks during those months too), always a good time for a walk, or to bicycle, or to catch a sunset with a glass of wine. You can get rainy days in the spring (that's what makes the valley green) and you can get chilly nights in October (that's why there's a great stone fireplace), but the beauty and excitement are constant. Summer heatwaves are a new phenomena but we've got plenty of information on keeping the house cool and having plenty of fun even in high temps.
(See bottom of page for photos of the village in April and October.)
4) The house looks big. What's it like for just two people?
As you can imagine, the village can be friendly, intimate, and romantic-- great for families and friends, but great for lovers too. The house has a similar vibe. The main floor has a loft-like ambience-- open, light, comfortable-- easy to move around, and easy to find intimate places, by the fireplace, at the kitchen counter, on the leather chesterfields, by the sun-lit arch windows. You won't feel like you're in a cathedral or servant-run chateau. It's your house, a roomy but cozy light-filled place for two. Then up one flight and the entire floor consists of the master bedroom (with a vintage tub for two), a full bathroom, and a lounge (for early morning reading, or watching a movie at night), room for privacy and togetherness, all yours.
5) Are the house and village safe and family-friendly?
Don't quote us or our insurance rates might go up, but we let our children wander the narrow streets of this village all the time, whether wandering towards the main square for a caramel ice cream or down towards the river to collect colorful stones. Traffic restrictions mean very few cars, and the streets circle back and forth on each other so it's hard to get lost. The attic and/or lower bedrooms of the house, with their separate bathrooms, are perfect places for the kids to hang out when they are sick of the adults. And of course the lounge has a large tv and dvd collection, with plenty for the kids to watch (although the tv is seldom used). And then there's the beach, and the canoes, and......
6) Where's the swimming pool? (We may have something better.)
You're right-- nearly every vacation rental in Europe has a pool-- beautiful houses, out in the country, all very similar, whether in France, Italy, Spain, or wherever. We love that kind of vacation, and we don't mind hopping in the car to imbibe a bit of local culture. But we're talking about something very special here: actually living in a beautiful French village, walking for your favorite croissants, for a glass of wine, or to visit artist galleries or talk with the friendly local citizens, artists, and worldly ex-patriates who live there. You may decide to use the car, driving scenic roads to neighboring markets, to prehistoric caves, ancient castles, local vineyards. But you'll also know, every step of the way, that you are not only in France, but in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.
By the way, we do have a swimming 'pool', about 200x500 meters, with an actual lifeguard, refreshingly clean water, and a sandy beach, just a 10 minute walk from the house: it's the river, an easily accessible and calm part, perfect for playful children and serious swimmers alike.
7) Do we need a car in the village?
We recently had guests who took a train to Cahors, then a bus from Cahors to Tour de Faure (near the village), and spent their entire vacation carefree and car-free. They walked to local sites, like the Ceneviere castle and restaurants in Bouzies, and they did not run out of things to do in and around the village. On the couple occasions that they needed a car, they hired the local taxi guy, who was very responsive and reasonably priced. And Maxime rents very good bikes, including electric ones, if you are more seriously into biking. If you don't drive, or you don't like cars, or you just prefer walking (and some public transportation), and you're a bit adventurous, it turns out you can have a great vacation here.
8) Our group is a mixture of athletic-types and couch-potatoes--
is there stuff for us all to do?
If you're a couch-potato, you're all set-- the house has comfortable couches and chairs, a fully-equipped kitchen (and automatic nespresso machine), and you can gaze out the windows for great views and a bit of sunshine; and if you feel like moving, you can wander the public garden just out back, or walk about 75 steps to your own private terrace with chairs.
If you're athletic you have it even easier: climbing the beautiful hills, walking beneath the cliffs, biking for miles in the valley, canoeing up and down the river, a 90 minute trek to a grand castle, etc. And there are opportunities for various sports (will you have the time?), including several golf courses within a 30 minute drive, and a local tennis court (5 euros an hour and you get the keys from the proprietress at the boulangerie in Tour de Faure).
voted 'the most beautiful'?
Of the 32,000 villages in France (!), 157 have been designated "les plus beaux villages" (the most beautiful villages), chosen for their special beauty, historical significance, and importance to the future of France. In 2012, a vote was opened to all French citizens as to which village was number one and, while it has one of the smallest populations of all the villages, St. Cirq Lapopie had the most votes. (The contest was for fun, of course; each of the villages is outstanding in its own unique way, and there have been other winners over the years.)
2) Is the village crowded with tourists in the summer?
Uniquely, St. Cirq Lapopie has no hotels in the village (just several vacation rental houses, a couple of small B&Bs and one large one) so visitors typically come for a stroll, some sightseeing, and a meal, and then are off to their next destination. Also, the village is just enough off the beaten track that visitors tend to come later in the morning and most have moved on by late afternoon, which means even in August there is plenty of quiet and solitude. Living in the village is very, very different than just strolling through it.
However, visitors are also a great pleasure-- they come from all over the world, they keep the restaurants and shops open and lively, and sometimes even good friendships arise. But when you live in the village (even if just for a week), you come to feel a bit like a host, proud to be living there, enjoying the wonder in people's eyes as you walk out the door, yet also having your mornings and evenings all to yourself and your friends, old and new. And whether in April or August, July or October, you can hike the hills, bike along the river, or just wander the valley, still marveling at what a relatively undiscovered region of France this is.
3) What are the best months to visit?
I know we'll sound like a travel agency here, but our family has spent time at the house during every part of the season: the village is beautiful year-round, but the weather is quite temperate and lovely from early April to the end of October. Our family has spent the most time there in August, and we loved it, the weather, the liveliness, the sunsets, the beach (even during the occasional heatwave--more on that below). Temperatures are rarely too cold or too hot during most of the 7 month season-- naturally brisker in April and October (we've spent lovely weeks during those months too), always a good time for a walk, or to bicycle, or to catch a sunset with a glass of wine. You can get rainy days in the spring (that's what makes the valley green) and you can get chilly nights in October (that's why there's a great stone fireplace), but the beauty and excitement are constant. Summer heatwaves are a new phenomena but we've got plenty of information on keeping the house cool and having plenty of fun even in high temps.
(See bottom of page for photos of the village in April and October.)
4) The house looks big. What's it like for just two people?
As you can imagine, the village can be friendly, intimate, and romantic-- great for families and friends, but great for lovers too. The house has a similar vibe. The main floor has a loft-like ambience-- open, light, comfortable-- easy to move around, and easy to find intimate places, by the fireplace, at the kitchen counter, on the leather chesterfields, by the sun-lit arch windows. You won't feel like you're in a cathedral or servant-run chateau. It's your house, a roomy but cozy light-filled place for two. Then up one flight and the entire floor consists of the master bedroom (with a vintage tub for two), a full bathroom, and a lounge (for early morning reading, or watching a movie at night), room for privacy and togetherness, all yours.
5) Are the house and village safe and family-friendly?
Don't quote us or our insurance rates might go up, but we let our children wander the narrow streets of this village all the time, whether wandering towards the main square for a caramel ice cream or down towards the river to collect colorful stones. Traffic restrictions mean very few cars, and the streets circle back and forth on each other so it's hard to get lost. The attic and/or lower bedrooms of the house, with their separate bathrooms, are perfect places for the kids to hang out when they are sick of the adults. And of course the lounge has a large tv and dvd collection, with plenty for the kids to watch (although the tv is seldom used). And then there's the beach, and the canoes, and......
6) Where's the swimming pool? (We may have something better.)
You're right-- nearly every vacation rental in Europe has a pool-- beautiful houses, out in the country, all very similar, whether in France, Italy, Spain, or wherever. We love that kind of vacation, and we don't mind hopping in the car to imbibe a bit of local culture. But we're talking about something very special here: actually living in a beautiful French village, walking for your favorite croissants, for a glass of wine, or to visit artist galleries or talk with the friendly local citizens, artists, and worldly ex-patriates who live there. You may decide to use the car, driving scenic roads to neighboring markets, to prehistoric caves, ancient castles, local vineyards. But you'll also know, every step of the way, that you are not only in France, but in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.
By the way, we do have a swimming 'pool', about 200x500 meters, with an actual lifeguard, refreshingly clean water, and a sandy beach, just a 10 minute walk from the house: it's the river, an easily accessible and calm part, perfect for playful children and serious swimmers alike.
7) Do we need a car in the village?
We recently had guests who took a train to Cahors, then a bus from Cahors to Tour de Faure (near the village), and spent their entire vacation carefree and car-free. They walked to local sites, like the Ceneviere castle and restaurants in Bouzies, and they did not run out of things to do in and around the village. On the couple occasions that they needed a car, they hired the local taxi guy, who was very responsive and reasonably priced. And Maxime rents very good bikes, including electric ones, if you are more seriously into biking. If you don't drive, or you don't like cars, or you just prefer walking (and some public transportation), and you're a bit adventurous, it turns out you can have a great vacation here.
8) Our group is a mixture of athletic-types and couch-potatoes--
is there stuff for us all to do?
If you're a couch-potato, you're all set-- the house has comfortable couches and chairs, a fully-equipped kitchen (and automatic nespresso machine), and you can gaze out the windows for great views and a bit of sunshine; and if you feel like moving, you can wander the public garden just out back, or walk about 75 steps to your own private terrace with chairs.
If you're athletic you have it even easier: climbing the beautiful hills, walking beneath the cliffs, biking for miles in the valley, canoeing up and down the river, a 90 minute trek to a grand castle, etc. And there are opportunities for various sports (will you have the time?), including several golf courses within a 30 minute drive, and a local tennis court (5 euros an hour and you get the keys from the proprietress at the boulangerie in Tour de Faure).
9) So the house, village, and region are perfect??
We think so, but of course this isn't a place for everyone. Here are things that some people might consider as challenges:
1) It's a medieval village, once a fortress built on a cliff, so some of the village streets are hilly and take some huffing and puffing. Fortunately, it's also next to a flat river basin.
2) There have been heatwaves in recent years. We have air conditioning in the top floor bedrooms; and the thick stone walls keep the house cool through most of the season. We have transparent anti-heat glazing on the sun-facing windows, and there are portable fans. We've developed excellent ways to manage the heatwaves that have started to occur, unpredictably, usually in late July or early August. But there may be days when you'll want to take a walk to the lovely river beach nearby.
3) The house has stairways, of course, so you'll need to be mindful of crawling infants and we don't recommend the house for active toddlers unless you can provide careful supervision. And stairs can also be tough on arthritic limbs. That said, we've had many multi-generation families spend wonderful holidays at the house.
4) Bats, spiders, lizards, and ants have been inhabitants of the village for millenia. They are rarely in the house, although spiderwebs do appear, and there are occasional bat visits if the windows are left open after dusk. Here are more details:
a) Spiders weave webs in uninhabited corners and eaves almost as fast as we can sweep them. Yet we seldom see them, and none we know of are dangerous.
b) Ants occasionally invade, usually by the front door or in the kitchen. They are easily deterred with a spray of water and vinegar. (We have stronger sprays if necessary, but we've never had to use them.)
c) Americans are phobic about bats (understandably, since American bats can carry rabies) but we welcome bats in our French village. Here’s why:
Relax, be thoughtful, and if you do see bats, remember that they are protecting you from mosquitoes.
Finally, this is a clean, comfortable, modern-interior house in one the most remarkable villages in the world. With an adventurous mind-set, you can't help but have a wonderful, fun-filled, memorable vacation.
We think so, but of course this isn't a place for everyone. Here are things that some people might consider as challenges:
1) It's a medieval village, once a fortress built on a cliff, so some of the village streets are hilly and take some huffing and puffing. Fortunately, it's also next to a flat river basin.
2) There have been heatwaves in recent years. We have air conditioning in the top floor bedrooms; and the thick stone walls keep the house cool through most of the season. We have transparent anti-heat glazing on the sun-facing windows, and there are portable fans. We've developed excellent ways to manage the heatwaves that have started to occur, unpredictably, usually in late July or early August. But there may be days when you'll want to take a walk to the lovely river beach nearby.
3) The house has stairways, of course, so you'll need to be mindful of crawling infants and we don't recommend the house for active toddlers unless you can provide careful supervision. And stairs can also be tough on arthritic limbs. That said, we've had many multi-generation families spend wonderful holidays at the house.
4) Bats, spiders, lizards, and ants have been inhabitants of the village for millenia. They are rarely in the house, although spiderwebs do appear, and there are occasional bat visits if the windows are left open after dusk. Here are more details:
a) Spiders weave webs in uninhabited corners and eaves almost as fast as we can sweep them. Yet we seldom see them, and none we know of are dangerous.
b) Ants occasionally invade, usually by the front door or in the kitchen. They are easily deterred with a spray of water and vinegar. (We have stronger sprays if necessary, but we've never had to use them.)
c) Americans are phobic about bats (understandably, since American bats can carry rabies) but we welcome bats in our French village. Here’s why:
- they are not rabies-carrying American bats
- they are protected by French law
- they eat most of the flying insects (especially mosquitoes)
- they have magnificent sonar, so they will never touch you (unless for some reason they are sick or injured). They do sometimes fly into open windows at night, drawn by the light— and they fly around and try to exit as soon as they can (they will do this faster if the lights are out).
Relax, be thoughtful, and if you do see bats, remember that they are protecting you from mosquitoes.
Finally, this is a clean, comfortable, modern-interior house in one the most remarkable villages in the world. With an adventurous mind-set, you can't help but have a wonderful, fun-filled, memorable vacation.
