Rosee Du Matin

The villa

On summer evenings, gaze out towards the landscapes of the Lot - et - Garonne as the colours of the sky transform and the swimming pool glistens below, accompanied by good food from nearby markets and local wine.

Rosée Du Matin enjoys a beautiful setting close to the riverside village of Castelmoron - sur - Lot. The owners purchased a derelict farmhouse more than twenty years ago and have taken so much care in its restoration. They live in the main house next door which they also run as a small B&B whilst the former barn, Rosée Du Matin, is now a welcoming 5 - bedroom villa with its own private pool and glorious countryside vistas.

It's a lovely gîte whether you are a group of friends or family with four double bedrooms (including one on the ground floor with a four - poster bed) and a twin, each with a modern en suite bathroom with an Italian walk - in shower. The living - dining and kitchen space is all open plan allowing for sociable time together, perhaps making the most of the Smart TV (bring your Disney+ password!).

That said, it’s far preferable to relax beneath the pergolas with a glass of chilled wine in hand looking out to the scenery around you. The heated swimming pool is reached via steps, passing the newly planted herbs, and there is such a great sense of space around you. Children can enjoy the owner’s play area with a slide, swing and climbing frame. There is also access to the shared sauna and hot tub for the adults. Feed the friendly goats, look out for the sheep and geese and collect eggs from the resident hens.

Pass orchards, farmland, woodland, summer sunflowers and little streams leading to beautiful rivers as you explore the area. The Lot River is just 6km away at Castelmoron - sur - Lot where there is a summer beach and canoeing/kayaking opportunities. Sainte - Livrade - sur - Lot and Villeneuve - sur - Lot are also worthy of a visit. All three places host delightful weekly market showcasing some of the delicious produce from the region from tomatoes, strawberries, plums and prunes to goat’s cheese, foie gras and bœuf blond d’Aquitaine .

Further afield, head north towards the bastide towns of the Dordogne or take a boat ride from Bergerac. To the south, the handsome historic town of Agen is a wonderful day out or venture to the picture - perfect villages of the Gers with Larressingle, Fourcès and Montréal just over an hour away.

Enjoy idyllic countryside views from Rosée Du Matin in the Lot - et - Garonne region of south - western France, 6km from riverside Castelmoron - sur - Lot. If flying to France, arrive via Bergerac, Bordeaux or Toulouse Airports or take the TGV train from Paris Montparnasse to Agen (38km) taking just over 3 hours.

As you discover the landscapes of the Lot - et - Garonne, drive past orchards, sunflower fields, farmland, woodland, little streams and beautiful rivers. Castelmoron - sur - Lot (6km) hosts a delightful market on a Wednesday morning and is home to a couple of restaurants/cafes and a supermarket. There is also a river beach in the summer alongside canoes, pedaloes and motorboats.

There’s another lovely market in Sainte - Livrade - sur - Lot (11km) and a good butchers whilst the bastide town of Villeneuve - sur - Lot (21km) has further amenities and an attractive historic centre. From Villeneuve - sur - Lot there is a popular hike all the way up to the hilltop village of Pujols (20km), classified as one of France’s official ‘ Plus Beaux Villages ’.

Other gorgeous places across the Lot - et - Garonne include medieval Penne - d'Agenais (32km) overlooking the banks of the river below, and the market town of Agen (38km), known for its handsome architecture and prunes (best steeped in Armagnac).

Meanwhile, come across wonderful markets showcasing the fantastic fresh produce of this area (tomatoes from Marmande, plums, prunes, apples and more) and summer night markets where you can enjoy good food and local wine often accompanied by music.

A little further afield, head north towards the Dordogne passing the beautiful bastide towns of Monflanquin (34km) and Monpazier (55km), soak up the ambience of the Sunday morning market in picture - perfect Issigeac (45km) or sail along the Dordogne from the picturesque wine town of Bergerac (60km).

To the south, the undulating landscapes of Gascony await - the trio of pretty Gers villages, Larressingle, Fourcès and Montréal, are all just over an hour away by car.