RENTAL SOUILLAC : 

Bathed by the Dordogne and located in the heart of the valley of the same name, Souillac is one of the towns of Haut Quercy that are worth a visit. Emblematic city of the Périgord not far from the Périgord Noir, Souillac enjoys an ideal location to discover some of the most beautiful faces of France. Its rich architecture, its natural capital and its gentle lifestyle make it a perfect place for a holiday in the open air halfway between Sarlat and Rocamadour.

Start your stay with a visit to the old historical centre of Souillac: with its maze of picturesque alleys and numerous monuments, the town is ideal for walks in the calm of its old stones. Its most emblematic monument is the abbey church of Saint Mary : built during the 12th century thanks to the Benedictine monks, this masterpiece of the Romano-Byzantine art of Upper Quercy, both imposing and majestic, inevitably attracts the eye. Inside, you will find several paintings and a magnificent organ. For cultural escapades, head for the city's two museums, the Old Plum Museum and the Automaton Museum : the latter is the largest museum in Europe devoted to the world of mechanical toys. In terms of architecture, the town is also famous for its many viaducts and bridges that you can discover during your travels, such as the Louis Vicat bridge and the Borrèze viaduct dating from the 19th century. Take these bridges and these 7 viaducts to discover on either side of its banks the charms of Souillac. A hiking itinerary entitled "From bridges to ports" will allow you, via a 10.7 km long path, to contemplate some of the most beautiful panoramas of the surroundings of Souillac: from the A20 viaduct in particular, you will be able to contemplate a superb picture on the loops of the Dordogne. Situated near numerous caves, museums, castles and listed villages, Souillac is the starting point for many excursions since the town is also crossed by the GR 6 linking Sarlat to Rocamadour via an old road on the Way to Santiago de Compostela (26 kilometres). You can go hiking, but also many excursions by bike, especially along the banks of the Dordogne.

With the family, head for the "Quercyland" : this water park on the banks of the Dordogne offers a wide range of activities for young and old. Toboggans, heated pools, swimming pools, mini-golf, bouncy castles, trampolines, merry-go-rounds, pétanque, football or basketball courts, deckchairs, but also an accrobranche area, jacuzzis, picnic grounds or mountain bikes will be available for hire for family outings. But if it is an activity to do absolutely : it is an excursion in canoe. From the nautical base of Souillac, more than 120 kilometres of descents on the Dordogne will allow you to discover the most beautiful villages of the Lot, Corrèze and Dordogne, but also some of the most beautiful castles of the region, like the Castle of Castelnau-Bretenoux, that of Belcastel, those of Fayrac, Fénelon, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Beynac, Fénélon or Montfort. Canoeing, kayaking, paddle and rafting are perfect means of locomotion for a visit along the river through the Périgord Noir and the Périgord Pourpre, ideal during the hot summers.

Finally, to perfect your knowledge of the marvellous Dordogne, we advise you to visit the Gouffre de Padirac (30 kilometres away), France's first underground site, as well as the Grotte du Pech Merle (60 kilometres away), a mecca of cave art.