LOCAL PLACES TO VISIT
Our village, Orniac, is situated equi-distant [35 minutes] between the Lot’s two prinicipal towns of Cahors and Figeac. Holidaying in Orniac provides you with the options of doing as little as possible, follow the historic trails and visiting historic sites, or having an action packed holiday.
From the house you can walk or cycle for miles in any direction along deserted lanes and tracks.

By bike you can visit:-
Musee en Plein Air du Quercy - five minutes from Orniac. It re-creates two farms with original buildings, one pre-revolutionary and the other 19th century, along with over 30 little museums of crafts, agriculture, water and natural sciences. Working craft people on Sundays provide demonstrations.

Cabrerets is located between the Cele River and the sheer cliffs of the Cele valley. High above it on a cliff cut base is the Chateau des Anglais. It was begun in 745 and is better known as the Chateau des Diable - “devils and Englishmen” being frequently synonymous in medieval France.

Musee de L’lnsolite - Outside the village is the quirky - Musee de L’lnsolite - a ‘museum of the unusual’ which has works of art and other things with an unusual or surreal twist.

Grotte de Peche Merle - Within walking or cycling distance from our Gite in Orniac. The Grotto is the best of many unique guided cave experiences with paintings.
Grotto de Peche Merle is the finest prehistoric painted cave in France which is still open to the public . It is necessary to book in the summer as the number of visitors per day is limited to 700. A short, steep walk from the Church car park in Cabrerets.

 

St Cirq-LaPopie - 15 minutes away. Overlooking the Lot valley, is one of the oldest and most beautiful cliff side villages in France. This is the prettiest village in Quercy. St-Cirq is one hundred metres above the Lot overlooking sheer dramatic cliffs. It is pure medieval architecture which has been preserved and protected. St Cirq was first developed in the 7th century by the Bishop of Cahors. The village is dominated by a fortress made up of a number of castles and towers.In the Middle Ages, St Cirq-Lapopie was the main town for the Lapopie’s Fuedal Dynasty [one of four ] that ruled the Quercy area.

ROCAMADOUR - 30 minutes away.
Rocamadour is one of France’s most unusual places of pilgrimage. It is in an extremely picturesque situation clinging to the rock-face above a gorge in the Caussade Gramat in Quercy.
During the twelfth century in the Middle Ages pilgrims flocked here to honour the Black Virgin of Rocamadour. Above the town a twelfth century castle is reached by a winding walkway, up to the top of the gorge and the castle.

LE GOUFFRE-de-PADIRAC - www.gouffre-de-padirac.com
Approximately one hour away: one of the most popular underground attractions in France, in the limestone plateau of ‘Causse de Gramat‘ . The tour of the chasm takes one and half hours. Visitors descend 75m, either by lift or by walking down the steps. This is followed by a 700m boat trip and a 1300m walk.
At the bottom looking up one has the feeling of being inside an
immense telescope.

IN AND AROUND ORNIAC

Wildlife Parks -
Animalier Gramat -Lot - www.gramat-parc-animalier.com

Rocher des Aigles - www.rocherdesaigles.com situated very close to the Chateau de Rocamadour . (25miles from Orniac)

Adventure Park
At Pradines, Cahors (close to Leclerc superstore) an adventure park set in a wooded valley, which allows visitors to climb rope ladders; abseil and cross-aerial walkways etc. Suitable for children of three years and above.

Similar activities to be found at Figeac - Accro-Liane: Tyroliennes - arnaud.damalric@orange.fr

ASTRONOMY - unequalled night sky viewing in the ‘Black Triangle’ on the Causses - virtually free from light pollution
Les Amis du Cele - Orniac 05 65 31 26 73

You can also experience the following: - Gliding, Hot Air Ballooning, Parachuting in the local area.

Visit and take part in and enjoy popular Village Fetes which offer a variety of music, dinner and dances.

WHERE TO EAT (locally):

CABRERETS
Auberge de la Sagne - www.hotel-auberge-cabrerets.com  Menus from 16.00 to 25.00EUR. Children menu 10.00EUR.  A charming tranquil old inn set within lovely gardens with a good restaurant.
Hotel des Grottes. - www.hoteldesgrottes.com Pleasant restaurant with tables on a terrace overlooking the River Cele.
Café Louise - Opposite the Tourist Office. Open at lunch time. Frequented by local people.

BOUSSAC
www.villedieu.com  - A ferme-auberge serving sumptuous meals in its apple orchard in fine weather, including garnished duck dishes, cassoulet and magret Rossini - duck breast with truffles, foie gras and Madeira sauce.

BOUZIES  
Les Falaises - www.crdi.fr/falaise - serves good and well-priced Quercy food. Traditional food; specialities are preserved goose and duck; foie gras

MARCILHAC-SUR-CELE
Restaurant des Tourists - Good family cooking

TOUR de FAURE
L’Oilo (05 65 24 78 91) - reputed best pizza in the area. Live entertainment on a Friday evening.
Auberge du Roucayrol (05 65 31 29 99)
Auberge Versanes (05 65 30 29 04)