We've rented a cottage in Gourdon, sight unseen, never been there...can anyone tell me about the place? Is it interesting, charming? Thanks in advance....Mary

I've been to Gourdon several times, mainly to visit the chateau and it's garden, part of which is said to be an early design by Andre Le Notre, garden designer of Vaux le Vicomte and later Versailles. It's an attractive small village on top of a great high crag, as you can see in this photo: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/p56893522.html. There are shops and cafes and restaurants, many of the shops selling local goods that appeal to tourists. I visited once in fog and it was wonderfully atmospheric, the heavy fog at first concealing the precipitous drops, then partially revealing them, then forming again and concealing, teasing us with the magnificent views.

Anyway, here are some images, of Gourdon, if you're interested: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/c767564.html

I also visited once on a football (soccer to Americans) Sunday and ended up walking up the last several kilometers because none of the taxi drivers could tear themselves away from the bars during the match. In Gourdon, you're very near Grasse, Opio, other interesting places to explore.

julia1...Thanks alot for taking the time to reply but I think you might be referring to
Gourdon in Provence. We are going to Gourdon in the Lot...Mary

Here's a few photos. It's a market town and built in tiers.

http://www.france-for-visitors.com/lot/gourdon.html

It's fine. Others like it more than we do. I think you may enjoy the location, to get away from the many tourists in the Dordogne. It's convenient to lots of sites in the lower Dordogne & the Lot - Domme, Roque Gageac/Beynac/Sarlat, Peche Merle, Cahors, Figeac, excellent market in Caussade, Gorges de l'Aveyron, Rocamadour, Padirac, etc. It has a good mix of old stuff and practical stores for people who need to buy groceries & other staples. We've pass through there often.

Stu Dudley

Gourdon is indeed a practical - and attractive - town. Not quite as beautiful (or as touristy as Sarlat) It's built in tiers, with the cathedral at the top, surrounded by narrow winding streets, with a kind of mini ring road at the bottom. (In the summer there are often concerts in the cathedral and in the other large church les Cordeliers. )It has its own markets, which are quite good.

Good location for viewing the eastern end of the Dordogne, plus the Lot. Right outside is the Grotte de Cougnac, interesting caves and worth seeing if you're there. I drove past them for 12 years, on the way to various appointments in Gourdon, and then finally took visitors there and was pleasantly surprised.

Any idea where you are in Gourdon?

Oh, sorry about that - wasn't paying attention! You did write the Lot, didn't you?! I have been in 'your' Gourdon also, but it's so long ago I don't really remember it apart from other places I've visited in that area, such as Rocamadour, Sarlat, Cahors, Les Eyzies. It's an interesting area, full of charm, good food and wine.

Thanks, everyone of you for your input. Carlux, we're on rue Marsis. I'm not at all familiar with Gourdon, but the rental I found looked nice and was reasonable. We haven't actually made the down payment yet. We love the Lot so much and wanted to be in that area. I have a request out there for info from StCirq, hoping she'll be familiar with it. Thanks again. Mary

I see that you have asked St Cirq for input, but I know her house is not in this particular area. Anyway, I thought I would respond to this post rather than the other.

You can see exactly where you are on http://maps.google.fr/
Just enter rue Marsis, 46300 Gourdon (that's the postal code)

You are in the old town, which is nice, and you may have some decent views from that side of town. I dont know whether your rental would have parking, but it if not, the Post OFfice, just a little further along has a large lot.

It's certainly a good base for the Lot, as various people have said. Quite attractive, especially the old town around the Cathedral, where you will be staying. I don't know how much more input you need before making a decision.

I answered your previous post a few days ago, saying that I know Gourdon quite well and like it a lot. There are two good restaurants there (maybe more that I haven't tried): Domaine du Bethiol and Hostellerie de la Bouriane. There's a nice selection of shops and cafés, etc., and while it's not quite as charming as some of the nearby towns in the Dordogne, it's a friendly, typical regional town and, as such, a pretty good location. I think you'll enjoy it.

Sorry, that's Berthiol - keyboard's sticking this morning.

Carlux...Thank you for sending more info....especially about the parking.

StCirq...I'm so sorry to post my question to you again. I'm still trying to figure out this new format and didn't see that you had already answered. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations.

Mary