• Day 3 (Monday):  Spend the morning cooking with Françoise or exploring the fabulous ruins at Château Bonaguil, a 13th-15th Century Castle, tucked away in a tiny medieval village, only about 20 minutes from Maison Roux. Lunch at Les Bons Enfants de Bonaguil at the foot of the castle, which also has a small petting zoo to keep the kids occupied. Make sure to order to 'La Potence,' a large medieval steel ball with skewered, flaming meat. Skip dessert and head back along the road to Tournon (D911) to Dannacher Chocolatier (Choc o' Lot) in Montayral for the best desserts, chocolates, and hot chocolate you'll ever taste! If you're up for it, spend the afternoon at Château de Chambert and Clos Triguédina, our favorite local vineyards, sampling the famous 'Black Wine of Cahors' and wandering the sunny vineyards. Make sure to take home a few cases to last the week. For white wine lovers, don't miss the Viognier blend. Have Private Chef Adrien LaPlanche cook an unforgettable 5 or 7 course dinner for you at Maison Roux.
  • Day 2 (Sunday):  Get out the door by 11:00 to make it to the Montcuq Market by 11:30. Enjoy the wonderful street scene and huge variety of artisanal foods, flowers, and clothing. Enjoy a relaxing lunch and great people-watching underneath the spreading chestnut tree at Café de France in the heart of the action. Afterwards, stop off at the St. Sernin Lake just outside Montcuq (on the road back to Tournon) for a leisurely swim and nap on the grassy hillside or beach. Just up the road from the lake is a small sign on the right to the Chåteau Gayrac brocante, for French country antiques and beautiful white donkeys. Back in Tournon, take in the local brocantes on the square and have your Private Wine-Tasting with Vincent Delaunet. At Maison Roux, cook up a feast with what you've bought at the market or head to dinner at one of our recommended restaurants. Reservations for lunch and dinner are often necessary, mandatory for groups over 4, and always appreciated.
For a One Week Stay...
  • Because the surrounding region offers so much to see and do, we have provided suggested itineraries for one and two week stays at Maison Roux. We are also happy to assist you in planning your own custom itinerary, designed around your group's special interests or needs. From a gourmet food and wine-centered holiday to an active sporting adventure, our complimentary concierge planning service makes for the vacation of a lifetime! 
Suggested Itineraries...
  • Day 5 (Wednesday):  Head to Cahors by 10 AM to explore the huge market and town. On alternate Wednesdays, take in the large Brocante on the main square for unique finds. Before you go, book a table online for lunch at Le Marché that offers a great prix fixe lunch of superb quality and imagination. In the underground parking lot, check out the Roman ruins, then visit Villa Malbec on the Place Mitterand (next to the big statue and fountains) for a great 5 Euro wine tasting and learn all about Cahors wine from Jeremy, the sommélier. Right next door is the Cahors Office of Tourism, where you can find brochures about all that Cahors has to offer. Don't miss the Pont Valentré, Hidden Gardens, Home of Henri IV, and Cathédral de St. Étienne, with its marvelous paintings and cloisters. Take a boat ride down the Lot River or the tourist train all around Cahors. At 6 PM in Saux, meet world-renowned artist, Stefaan Eyckmans, for his Private Studio Tour, followed by the Gourmand Fair in Saux for a unique rural picnic-like dinner.
  • Day 1 (Saturday):  Arrive at Maison Roux between 3 and 5 PM. You will be greeted by our Majordomo, Vincent Delaunet, who lives just up the street from Maison Roux and also offers Private Wine-Tastings and Historical Tours of the region. Settle in at Maison Roux and enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine and other goodies in your welcome basket. Later, pop around the corner and enjoy a special Arrival Dinner at La Maison de Framboise. Don't give in to that urge to nap, but do have an early evening to flip your clock. If you are going to the Montcuq Market in the morning, make a lunch reservation for the terrace at Café de France before you go to bed (tel: 05 65 22 52 07). The Tournon grocery store, Le Marché, is open until 7 PM on Saturday and from 8 AM-noon on Sundays, to allow you to put in provisions for Sunday. The small baker is next door to Le Marché, as is the butcher. Go to LeClerq in Montayral, 15 minutes away, for large grocery shopping and cheap gas.
  • Day 8 (Saturday): As they say, all good things must come to an end, but we truly hope you have loved your time at Maison Roux and return again to sample more of the region's special delights. Please remember that check-out is by 10:00 AM so our housekeeper has time to ready the house for our next guests. Before you leave, please consolidate all dirty towels and mats in the master bathroom, do your dishes, run the dishwasher, close all windows, empty the four recycling bins near the cemetery, and turn off the lights. Also, please check to make sure you leave the 'house' hairdryers and converter plugs. Leave your keys on the island countertop and have a safe trip home or wherever your travel adventures take you next. We have enjoyed hosting you and sincerely appreciate your support of our Charity Auction partners. Please help us to make future visits to Maison Roux even more special by sending us your comments and feedback. Merci beaucoup et à bientôt from Tracey, Denny, and Roux, our beloved Papillon, for whom Maison Roux is named.
  • Day 6 (Thursday):  Today, choose between a visit to the historic Dordogne or renowned St. Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Dordogne, you can pair the fabulous boxwood gardens at Marquessac with a visit to the famous Château de Hautefort, renowned for its formal French gardens and stunning 1000 year-old castle. Both are required viewing for garden-lovers, and there are special events at each venue, including candlelit evenings, a real treat! The beautiful terrace at Marquessac boasts stunning views and is a lovely spot for lunch. Alternatively, head west to St. Émilion, and make sure to book a tasting in advance at Château Fonplegade, owned by Elemental Garden clients Steve and Denise Adams. The village of St. Émilion is a gem with stunning ruins, magnificent vineyards, and wineshops that outnumber people. If you want to stay local, visit a beautiful Bastide (Lauzerte, Penne d'Agenais or Puymirol) and book Françoise's Culinary Evening Soirée for dinner.
  • Day 4 (Tuesday):  If you're not cooking duck with Françoise, leave by 8 AM. Head past Cahors to the prehistoric Caves and paintings at Pêche Merle in the morning. Truly stunning and not to be missed, but do reserve ahead online during June-August. Also bring a jacket or shawl, as those caves are chilly. 15 minutes down the D41 road from Pêche Merle lies St. Cirq Lapopie, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Lot River and frequently voted 'The Most Beautiful Village in France'. Stop for lunch at l'Auberge du Sombral at the foot of the castle ruins (book beforehand) and then explore the fabulous village to your heart's content. Lots of great little shops, incredible scenery, and very steep hills, so wear your walking shoes and charge that phone! St. Cirq also has a lovely beach and you can take boat rides along the Lot, so come prepared. You'll be tired when you return after 6 PM, so stop to eat at Bistro de Lisa in Cahors, dine out at a recommended restaurant, or have a light supper of ham, cheese and bread at home.
  • Day 7 (Friday):  For a relaxing day close to home, visit  the morning market at Prayssac, with its great street scene and wonderful shops. Lunch in Prayssac at Restaurant Le 14 (Les Catounes) for beautifully-presented light French cuisine or, if you're craving a burger, and want something casual with a river view, head down the road to the stunning village of Puy l'Eveque just across the bridge, to the Astrolabe with its great beer selection, good burgers, and nice café fare. After lunch, check out the paddle boats and kayaking along the river in Prayssac or discover horseback riding French-style at Le Cheval Blanc. If you prefer a soothing Ayurvedic massage in a stone hut, it's not far to Baguat-de-Quercy for a luxurious experience at Les Bouries. Enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner at Au P'tite Moissac, Le Caillau, Hostellerie Le Vert or Chateau de l'Hoste, or if you haven't already experienced Private Chef, Adrien LaPlanche's extraordinary fare, do it tonight...you will not regret it!