About the area
La Balie is set amongst the rolling terrain and Bastide towns of the Lot-et-Garonne in South West France.
Explore local towns and castles, canoe the Dordogne, go wine tasting; or stay put by the pool for some serious R&R.
La Balie is a short drive from Monflanquin, a pretty bastide village chosen as one of the 100 most beautiful villages in France. There are shops, restaurants, bakeries and everything else you’ll need for your stay.
The beautiful valley of Gavaudun is a short stroll from the house where you’ll find a great circular walk through open woodland, the pretty village of St Avit and the stunning rock-hewn tower of Gavaudun.
There are masses of things to do in the local area; bustling markets for fresh fruit and vegetables, chateaux and castles to visit, wonderful vineyards and wine tastings, canoeing on the Dordogne or relaxing by our beautiful, heated, saltwater pool.
Originally a hill-top farm, all the cottages at La Balie have stunning views over rolling countryside. For some serious relaxation grab a glass of chilled rosé, listen to the ancient church bells peal across the valley and watch a spectacular sunset
Local Restaurants & Cafes…
Auberge Le Donjon
The varied menu based on French country cuisine is what you are offered at the Auberge Le Donjon. Try the excellent menu de jour, which is local food and wine perfect for a family or group lunch, perhaps as you enjoy a country walk through the forest and valleys that make Le donjon a perfect lunch stop.
As many guests affirm, the service by Christine is terrific. The lovely relaxed ambiance makes a good impression on visitors, Le Donjon is what we love about France and the Lot et Garonne!
Please note that you should book for groups and Le Donjon is only open for lunch.
Address: 979 route de Vezou, 47150 Gavaudun, France
Phone: +33 5 53 40 82 32
L’ Effet Maison
Located under the arcades of the central square of the village of Monflanquin, a 13th century bastide and among the most beautiful villages in France. Working exclusively on fresh products directly with local producers, their menu changes every three weeks to keep up with the seasons and offer you quality cuisine. Passionate about travel, they also like to combine spices and flavours of the world. The reviews say everything, to avoid disappointment it’s advisable to book.
Address: 25 Pl. des Arcades, 47150 Monflanquin, France
Phone: +33 9 52 13 07 73
La Pierre Blanche
Located in the countryside, halfway between the bastides of Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Monflanquin, La Pierre Blanche restaurant welcomes its guests in the middle of a green environment. Marie-Laure, in the kitchen, claims a southern cuisine that she has perfected over her long experiences in Lyon and Provence. She remains very demanding on the quality and freshness of the products she considers jewels sublimating her plates. Louis welcomes, serves and selects wines from Bordeaux, Lot-et-Garonne, Côtes-du-Rhône and a little Burgundy. Definitely worth the drive to eat at this lovely establishment, you can book online to avoid disappointment.
Address: Maynot, 47150 La Sauvetat-sur-Lède, France
Phone: +33 5 53 40 69 14
Le Café de Gavaudun Restaurant L’Essentiel
Beautiful situation, looking up to the ruined chateau at Gavaudun. The restaurant is very good. Outside seating and a large indoor restaurant. Good food a mix of French and international cuisine. A lovely spot for lunch to break up your walk through the beautiful La Lede river valley and local forests. – or perhaps just a beer or glass of wine at the end of your walk!
Address: Le Bourg, 47150 Gavaudun, France
Phone: +33 5 47 99 01 60
Café des Allées
A bar with snacks, but also a multi-service place in development: Internet access, games, reading corner, exhibitions, concerts, musical oxen, conferences, meetings. Pop in for a drink or a bite to eat when passing, especially if you are on your bikes. Cafe des Allees is a lovely quite spot opposite the church in Montagnac sur Lede, that sometimes comes to life with a live event that makes your holiday memories!
Address: le bourg, 47150 Montagnac-sur-Lède, France
Phone: +33 5 53 70 18 95
Things to do…
Hot air ballooning in the Lot et Garonne
Hot air balloon flights are available depending on conditions from Gavaudun for 2 or 4 people.
Depending on the direction of the wind, you can fly over the most beautiful villages and amazing castles in the area. Your pilot is 4 times champion of France but also World and European champion Francois Messines.
tel:+33 6 11 47 93 79
tel:+33 6 09 90 53 75
Kayaking
Kayaking one of the great rivers is a great way to spend a day out, there are a number of opportunities that get good reports:
www.france-voyage.com/activites/loisirs-montayral-59875.htm
Is the closest on the Lot near Montayral
Is another very highly rated about 45 – 50 minutes drive on the Dordogne at Castelnaud–la–Chapelle.
There are many other opportunities and companies offering kayaking rated by TripAdvisor
Parc en Ciel
For those with energy to use up a visit to Parc en Ciel is recommended!
At Parc-en-ciel, you can climb trees, slide on zip lines but also play mini-golf, disc golf, an orienteering race, or simply walk in the park, picnic in the forest or by the pond, and even take a dip in natural and organic swimming on sunny days; Parc-en-ciel is the assurance of spending a pleasant day with family or friends!
Read more on TripAdvisor
Villeneuve-sur-Lot Golf & Country Club
Villeneuve-sur-Lot Golf & Country Club has everything to please you!
Everything is there for you to spend some really unforgettable time, because Villeneuve-sur- Lot is one of the best 18 hole courses in Aquitaine with greens of incredible quality throughout the year, a gastronomic restaurant, a swimming pool, tennis court and a health and beauty salon.
Yoga with Lucille
La Balie is the perfect location for anyone who wishes to practice yoga by themselves or with a yoga teacher. We have a fully equipped studio or you can find a quiet spot in the grounds if you prefer.
For those interested, we have teamed up with local yoga instructor Lucille who can be contacted to arrange private one-one or group lessons at La Balie.
If you would like to arrange yoga classes at La Balie, please contact Lucillle directly to confirm arrangements and pricing for you or your group.
Market days in Lot Et Garonne
In particular I recommend the Market at Monsempron-Libos near Fumel that takes place every Thursday morning, Villereal for Saturday and Issygeac for Sunday are also very good and worth the drive. My advice is to arrive at the markets before 11.00am before they start packing up, they dismantle their stalls remarkably quickly to move on to the afternoon. Montagnac sur Lede just along the road from Salles has a small market on Thursday afternoons which is a good excuse to visit this lovely little village and perhaps enjoy a glass of wine at the cafe!
Cycle Hire & Local Routes
Velolot hire GREAT BIKES CLICK HERE
They have almost every kind of bike you could want. Most are brand new. All are in perfect condition. Whether you want to follow the Tour de France on a carbon Di2, explore off-road on a lightweight MTB, or cruise the villages and countryside on an e-bike, they’ve got what you’re looking for.
They DELIVER
We’ll bring the bikes to your holiday home and collect. We even do point to point delivery and collection.
Our customers love the fact there’s nothing to worry about – we show up with your bikes, and collect them when your finished – wherever that might be.
COMPETITIVE PRICES
From carbon race bikes to electric tourers, they will quote you a competitive rate for the bikes and delivery.
They deliver free around Cahors and any further will be done purely on cost.
their rental periods aren’t fixed and their pricelist is representative of typical rental periods.
For a quote:
Local Walks
This wooded valley dominated by oaks and chestnut trees, invites you to discover, along La Lède which crosses it, the imposing castle of Gavaudun, the luminous site of Saint-Avit, the priory and the mysterious church of Laurenque, testifying of a dense history.
The castle, perched on a block 300 meters long and 40 meters high juts out, massive and slender promontory, in the middle of the valley. Inaccessible from all sides except on the north side where a trench was dug, it was a strong position in a valley linking Agenais to Périgord.
The entrance to the castle is through a cave followed by a well and a stone staircase. The 14th century keep, 70 meters high, is intact with its six floors.
The ocher stone houses, the wash house and the woods increase the appeal of this protected site.
www.alltrails.com/trail/france/lot-et-garonne/vallee-de-la-lede-depuis-gavaudun
Catering…
Simpler's Kitchen Catering Service
Lucy is originally from Camden in North London. She started her early career in London working in establishments such as Mosimann’s private dining club, Lanesborough hotel and Fortnum & Masons.
She then left the shores of Great Britain to sail the seas on super yachts, first travelling around the Mediterranean then moved to Qatar working for the royal family for a few years. Lucy moved back to the UK in 2011 to become sous chef at Mckinsey’s followed by head chef at NBC Universal in 2014.In Autumn 2015 she decided to set up on her own with catering company Simper’s Kitchen and provide private chef services to groups and parties using her wealth of experience. Lucy is brilliant if you want her to cook for you we recommend contacting her early and booking her for your stay
Lucy lives near Duras, France with her husband, two sons and Cocker Spaniel.
Claire Fray - Cf. Cuisine Conviviale
Chef at Home & Catering Service
Contact Details HERE
Terres de Sens, by Danne
Contact details on application
Andraline - Artisan Bakers
One of the joys of visiting France is the bread, there are numerous boulangeries and the markets french sell very good bread.
Of all the local Boulanger Patissier, I rate Andraline as the go to bakers locally, they will also take orders that can be collected on Monday or Thursday in the Place de Salles, between 11.45am & 12.15pm.