The site of La Maison du Fort is believed to have been a watch-house for the soldiers protecting the 13th Century Bishop's fortified palace.
You will see that the internal design of the house has changed over the years and has light, airy large rooms with good ceiling height. The house was recently renovated and is a happy fusion of ancient and modern. Decoration and fittings complement the ancient building and create a cosy, relaxed atmosphere whilst plumbing, electrics and insulation meet modern standards. It is also double-glazed with electric heating.
The house is "sans vis-a-vis (no facing windows of other houses).
This is our second home and hope that it will be yours too.
The house is in the hyper-centre of town, being 30 metres from the Mairie (town-hall) and its square with its Tuesday market. There is free parking on this square (on Market Day, Tuesday, park on a side street within 200 metres).
Enter is by a small outdoor covered verandah, ideal for taking morning coffee and croissants and meeting your neighbours.
The front door opens into the spacious country kitchen with the facilities to cook and enjoy your market purchases and the local product. (If you're not checking out the local restaurants and cafes).
Adjacent is the lower lounge (which doubles as a bedroom.) and the lower toilet.
Stone stairs take you to the upper level of main bedroom, upper lounge and shower with toilet. There are views over the lower town.
Fittings are a blend of traditional and contemporary French and create a relaxed functional home. We want you to drop your bags and put your feet up.
Puy-l'Évêque is a medieval town dating from the 12th century. It is situated 35 Km west of Cahors. It is a living historical treasure with its 13 th Century Tower and 14 th Century church of Saint Saveur.
In 1228 during the Albigensian Crusade the Bishop of Cahors, William of Cardaillac, took possession of the town and gave it the present name of Puy l'Evêque, “Bishop's Puy” (hill-top). The 13th-century tower, the last remnant of the bishop's residence, rises above the tile roofs of the village, entirely built of the local honey-coloured stone. The parish church, with 13th-century origins, is dedicated to Saint-Sauveur, the Saviour.
During the French Revolution the town took the name of Puy Libre “Free Puy” after demolishing the Bishop's Palace.
The town has enough shops and services for day-to-day needs, including a small supermarket. There is a choice of restaurants, bakeries and cafés. Numerous events occur throughout the year such as wine festivals, concerts and fetes where excellent local food, wines and hospitality can be enjoyed. This is the real France.
Puy L'Eveque is an ideal starting point for excursions to discover the Lot valley and the natural, historical and architectural wealth of the very varied surroundings. It's a natural site of great beauty overlooking the Lot River – worth seeing both day and night with its golden sun-lit houses that repose along the narrow medieval streets.
By Plane to Puy L'Eveque
The nearest airports are Bergerac (roughly one hour by car), Brive-Dordogne (one and a half hours), Toulouse (two hours), Bordeaux and Limoges (both two and a half hours). Car hire is available at the airports.
Airlines, routes and flight times vary from season to season, please refer to the airline websites for up-to-date information. Currently you can fly with the following :
Ryanair to Bergerac, Brive-Dordogne, Limoges and Bordeaux
Flybe to Bergerac, Limoges, Bordeaux and Toulouse
Easyjet to Toulouse and Bordeaux
British Airways to Toulouse and Bordeaux
Cityjet to Brive-Dordogne
Transavia to Bergerac
By Train to Puy L'Eveque
Cahors train station is five hours by train from Paris (Gare D'Austerlitz). Car hire (Europcar) is conveniently next to the station.
From Toulouse, there is a bus service from the airport to the railway station, then it's one to one-and-a half hours by train to Cahors station.
There is a bus service to Puy l'Eveque from Cahors station.
By Car to Puy L'Eveque
Puy L'Eveque is situated 35Km west of Cahors on the D811. Drive time is approximately 40 minutes.
On arrival at Puy l'Eveque, park in the main square in front of the Mairie (town-hall). Pedestrian Rue du Fort runs down from the left of the Mairie, you'll see a covered verandah and a blue front door – that's us!