La Grange, Liffernet is set high above the thriving and picturesque
medieval market town of Figeac in the Lot Valley, South West
France. It is located in the small, quiet hamlet of Liffernet
in tranquil and beautiful countryside between the Lot and Cele
rivers and is ten minutes away by car from Figeac.
Figeac grew up around the Romanesque Abbey of St Sauveur in the 9th Century and became a rich merchant city with a Royal Mint, which today houses a museum. Figeac is also the birthplace of the Egyptologist, Jean-Francois Champollion, to whom one of the other museums in the town has been dedicated. The town is on the pilgrimage route running from La Puy-en-Velay in eastern France through Conques and Cahors and on to Santiago de Compostela in Spain .
Overlooking the town is the Eglise Notre Dame du Puy, which gives a good view of Figeac and its surroundings. The old quarter of the town contains a labyrinth of narrow, twisting streets through which you can take guided or self guided tours. The focal point of the town is the busy market square (pictured below) which houses the Saturday morning market. For those who enjoy such markets, others are held in every nearby town on different days.
Literary, theatre, music and other festivals are held in the town and in surrounding towns throughout the year.
Figeac has its own water sports centre and tennis courts. Riding, golf, canoeing, fishing, cycling and sailing are among the activities available. A major activity of the area is walking. There are an abundance of excellent walks, some of which can be done from the house. For those interested in bird watching, the area is home to many varied and unusual species.
Figeac also has a good mixture of shops and banks. There is an excellent choice of restaurants in the town and other highly recommended establishments within easy reach of the gite. A large L'Eclerc supermarket is less than five minutes away by car and a depot de pain and charcuterie is even nearer! Neither of these necessitates going into Figeac.
