Review Rating: 5/5 Rachel Bard Washington state
"Living the good life on the River Lot"
" The apartment is quiet, comfortable and roomy, with an efficient kitchen, full bath, dining room, sitting room and bedroom. The pièce de résistance is the long terrace along the front with its view of the peaceful river and the fields and woods beyond. Just the spot for meals, drinks, reading, watching the sunset. Paths lead down to the river; Madeleine and John will show you where. In the summer a little tour boat plies the Lot from Fumel and shows you old mills, waterwheels and evidence of when this was a busy commercial waterway. Today the most activity you might see is a team of rowers smartly propelling their scull along.
Your superb hosts, Madeleine and John, are knowledgeable about what to see and how to get about. They'll point you to the best restaurants, with the best wine lists. They're the soul of friendliness and fun to talk to,but never intrusive. They respect their guests' privacy completely.
Fumel is a pleasant small town but don't expect the quaint clichés (cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, bistros and boutiques) found in more tourist-frequented places in France. It has all you need: delis, books, groceries, butchers, coffeehouses, restaurants, bakeries. There's a substantial hotel.
Nearby: Villeneuve-sur-Lot with its medieval city gates; take in a concert or play. Pujols, picturesque, founded by the English during the Capetian-Angevin wars and a good place to buy the tender, sweet prunes the area is famous for. The nearest castle is Bonaguil, parly ruined during the Revolution but still majestic..
Drive along the Lot to St-Cirq-Lapopie perched on its hill, one of the prettiest villages in France. Stop to tour the Cave of Pech-Merle for its stalactites and stalagmites as well as 20,000-year-old paintings.
The Valley of the Dordogne, rich in history, offers famed prehistoric caves such as Lascaux, and bristling castles that confront each other across the river.
Or tour to the bastides of Perigord-fortified towns built in the 12th and 13th centuries by French and English monarchs when they were battling for control here. Recommended: Castillonnes and Monflanquin.
Once you've been here, you'll want to come back and do the things you didn't have time for before. And repeat the experiences you liked best, such as taking up residence at Fumel again..........................................................
Review Rating: 5/5 Elizabeth Carlson- Chicago, Illinois
"Charming Grace on the Lot"
"I stayed in this lovely apartment with my little boy last fall. There were only two of us but it would easily accomodate more. The balcony overlooks the Lot River and was, even at that time of year, awash with blooming things and greenery. The apartment was completely furnished including all linen and a remarkable pantry. It was like moving into a dear friend's guest house for a week. The host and hostess are remarkable people who speak many languages and are very well informed about the area. There are fabulous castles, village markets, caves and gorgeous scenery all within less than an hour's drive, some merely minutes away on foot. Prepare to have a wonderful time! We're going back, so book soon, we might be there instead!"
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Rating: 5/5 Christine - Melbourne, Australia.
"Vacances Superbes"
"My partner and I spent September and October 2006 in Fumel (Lot et Garonne), superbly content in the apartment belonging to Madeleine and John. The apartment is perched high above the river Lot - a glorious outlook - and offers every comfort and convenience. Madeleine and John were unfailingly thoughtful, generous and charming.
Access to their considerable collection of books, CDs and videos was an added joy and delight.
The countryside surrounding Fumel has far more to offer than we were able to relish in two delicious months. We recommend this property without a single nanosecond of hesitation..........................................................
Rating: 5/5: John - Warrandyte, Australia.
"Sejour at Fumel"
"Not long ago I spent a delightful eight weeks in the apartment of Madeleine and John . The apartment, situated in the town of Fumel, overlooks the river Lot, where the occasional small boat plies its way and where almost daily a group of swans would fly past.
For me, as a photographer, the region of Lot et Garonne was a landscape paradise. The surrounding area is full of surprises; there are some moderately large towns in the region, especially Cahors, Puy-l'Eveque and Villeneuve-s-Lot, all with their charm and interesting histories. But the gems for me were the smaller places like Anglars with its 12th century church, Albas and its views of the river, Fraysinnet-la-Gelat and then the staggeringly beautiful town of St Cirq-Lapopie, to mention just a few among dozens. Along the river there were vineyards enclosed by tall trees; we visited one day the town of St Aubin where the annual prune festival was in full swing; locals dressed in traditional costume, gorgeous displays of all manner of food and drink, and a wonderful festive air.
Our hosts John and Madeleine were the epitome of kindness. Advice, when sought, was given, suggestions were made on places to visit. It was for me the out-of-the-way places that John and Madeleine suggested that gave me a glimpse of the real life of the French people in the area. Our apartment was beautifully clean, well-appointed and with all the mod cons that made our stay there so enjoyable. More than anything else, despite the sights we saw, my memory is of the friendship that we made with Madeleine and John, a friendship that endures and is fostered by phone calls to one another from time to time.
If what you seek is an insight into French life and culture in an environment that sparkles with civility, kindness and gentility, there would be no better place to visit than Chez Madeleine and John.
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Review Rating: 4/5 Karen and David - Portland, Oregon.
"Fumel apt-comfortable, convenient, good value"
"We stayed in this well-furnished and comfortable apartment for two months during a sabbatical in Spring 2008, using it as a base for our writing activities and for exploring the region. The apartment overlooks the Lot River (large windows in bedroom and dining room face S/SE) and contains a kitchen (fully-equipped), bathroom (tub and shower), large dining room (nice-sized four-person wooden table and chairs) with an adjacent cozy sitting area (conveniently contains a double futon and can be closed off with a curtain as additional sleeping space), and a spacious bedroom.
Madeleine and John (both speak English), living in the apartment above in this two-apartment house, are gracious and helpful hosts, full of information about the local area, restaurant recommendations, and so forth. They greeted us warmly. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon to find roses on our dining room table, some food in the refrigerator to tide us over until we could get to the grocery store the next day, and an apéritif with the two of them in the early evening. You can even take French (or English) language lessons from Madeleine, who, in my experience, is a wonderful teacher. If you bring your laptop computer, useful Internet access is available in the apartment as is a phone (including international; repay for outgoing calls). Such access was important to us as we maintained connections with work and family. You'll need to do laundry in the village laundromat, but the apartment's terrace has lines for drying. Safe, easy car parking is right in front of the house.
Between Fumel, the next-door village of Monsempron-Libos, and the larger stores across the river, you'll find all the necessities you'll require. The Thursday outdoor market in Monsempron-Libos gives a good feel for the area, providing mainly fine produce, as well as household goods and fabrics. Close and easy access to the small Monsempron-Libos train station connects you with the rest of France. The apartment's location also allows easy access to special and fascinating area attractions via beautiful countryside roads (e.g., the magnificent Bonaguil chateau: bastide towns such as Monpazier; villages designated "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" such as Lauzerte and St. Cirq Lapopie, with the spectacular Grotte Pech Merle nearby).
We recommend this apartment if you wish a convenient, comfortable, and good-value option for exploring the Lot River Valley, one that feels and functions like home!"