“A blessed little corner of south-west France made up of gently rolling hills, fields of corn and sunflowers, winding roads empty of cars and pretty little towns and villages, where people always have time to talk to you.

It's like an unspoilt Tuscany or Provence, and I'd better shut up now or I'll be responsible for spoiling it.”

Sam Taylor, describing
the Lot-et-Garonne
In 'The Observer'

all photographs © Peter Evans
peter-evans-photographer.com

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If your criteria is an outstanding gite in a picturesque area, then, "Bienvenue à Blanchou Cottage!"  Here you will find yourself in a hidden part of France with fabulous views of this breath-taking landscape - a landscape of narrow lanes winding past vineyards, orchards and sunflower fields to beautiful old Bastide villages.

You will be living in a tastefully-renovated, 250 year old traditional farm cottage in this lovely, quiet and virtually undiscovered area of Aquitaine where, some 100 kms south-east of Bordeaux, two of France's principle rivers meet, so giving our "Département" its name - Le Lot-et-Garonne.

Come to Blanchou Cottage and the Lot-et-Garonne - where even the sunflowers have a welcoming smile!

This is an area populated by welcoming country people to whom 'quality of life' still has real meaning. 'Family values'  is what southwest France is all about. There's nothing the people of the Lot-et-Garonne love more than making time for friends and family - and of course enjoying some of the best food and wine in the world; this is the home of the two-hour lunch!

On the subject of food and wine, almost every night of the week throughout July and August you'll find the locals partying at one of the marchés-nocturnes (food night-markets) that are unique to this area. These are a truly amazing experience. Take your own plates, mugs and cutlery, find yourself seats at one of the hundreds of tables supplied, then wander round the dozens of stalls selling purely local produce, and prepare to be amazed.

Imagine it: you move from stall to stall, choosing your wine, fresh fruit and salads, your pain or baguette, your steak, cut of duck, or chicken - all of which is excellent quality and great value and all locally grown and reared - or if you want to be really French, go for the oysters, snails or moules-frites (mussels) in fabulous sauces! Then join in with the music and dancing or simply sit-back and strike up a comical 'Franglais' conversation with your neighbours - they'll welcome it and love you for it! Now you're experiencing real French country hospitality!

This is also an area of history and discovery. For example, did you know that Claude Monet found his famous water-lilies here in the Lot-et-Garonne? The nursery where he bought them and had them shipped to Giverny still exists and is just a 'stone's throw' away from Blanchou Cottage; it's a beautiful place, perfect for a peaceful lunch and tranquil afternoon visit.

When you come to stay at Blanchou Cottage, you'll discover a myriad places like this - places, vistas and vantage points that you might never find without the helpful and detailed guide notes we provide to all our guests. You'll find that the area has something for all ages: cycling, canoeing, horse-riding and fun-parks for the children.

And for those days when you don't feel like venturing out, you can take a quiet walk through our ten acres of fields and woodland and watch the black kites soaring overhead, or simply relax in Blanchou Cottage's large, pleasant garden. Or enjoy its fabulous views whilst lazing in the beautiful pool, and then round off the day with a glass of excellent local wine, sitting in the shade of the pool-side terrace in perfect peace and tranquility. Could a holiday get any better?