M. Attrazic - A Basket of Tasty Morsels ('Le Panier de Lozère')

Taste of the Lot Valley to put in your basket ! You will find some of the best Saucissons (dry sausage), cheeses (goats cheeses, Roquefort) and home-made honeys and jams... The shop is situated on 'Aire de la Lozère' motorway station on the A75 - an ideal stop on your route down to the Valley from Paris or Clermont-Ferrand (just before the exit for the Aubrac Plateau, Mende, Conques UNESCO-listed site, etc.). You'll recognise the station with the many megaliths around it - for more details about these giant standing stones, pop in to the 'Geoscope' near the shop. A good introduction to the Lozère area.

La Quercynoise is a cooperative of 185 producers of ducks and geese, located in the heart of the “Parc Naturel Régional des Causses du Quercy” in the Lot, near Rocamadour. La Quercynoise adheres to a strict environmentally-friendly policy (officially certified norm ISO 14001). It celebrates this year 30 years of know-how in the preparation of duck and goose specialities: foie gras, confit, smoked breast, regional dishes such as cassoulet, pâté with foie gras, etc. Products are guaranteed of origin from South West France (STSO) and have won many prizes. La Quercynoise produce a wide range of products and will have a good selection for sale at the Lot Valley Fair.

La Quercynoise
Route de Figeac B.P. 51
46500 GRAMAT
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 10 15 15
Fax: +33 (0)5 65 10 15 28
Email: infos@laquercynoise.com
Web: www.laquercynoise.com

To buy their products in the UK, please contact:
Mr Julien Couget
Tel: 0207 732 3484

Au Bois de Pech Bru - Goodies from the Farm

Serge's family have been farmers in the area around Villeneuve-sur-Lot for many a generation. It's no surprise that he chose the beautiful Bois de Pech Brut family holding to set up his own operation. Pech Brut is tucked away in the wooded green hills overlooking the Lot Valley, between Agen and Bergerac. He grows sunflowers here and his own cereals for feeding his free range geese and ducks. It is the special variety of “Pruneau d'Ente” (used for making the famous A.O.C. Agen Prunes) that Serge grows in his 13-hectares plum orchard, with his geese and ducks pecking their way around the trees. Serge follows a ‘sustainable farming' policy designed to protect the environment, the surrounding landscapes and quality of water. Serge will be bringing a good selection of his produce (all made and packaged on the farm) to the Lot Valley Fair - his duck-based pâtés, rillettes, confits, cassoulets and foie gras, as well as plums in syrup and Agen Prunes.

Au Bois de Pech Brut

Serge COMPTE

Bois de Pech brut

47300 VILLENEUVE-SUR-LOT

Tel: +33 (0)6 81 10 17 21

Email: louisrg@aol.com

Web: www.pechbrut.fr

The Doumares family have been producing their famous Pruneaux d'Agen for several generations now at the Ferme de Monredon. The whole process here is completely artisan, from harvesting to drying.

Not only do they do simple sachets of prunes, but there are also prunes in Armagnac (hic!), prunes stuffed with crushed prunes (yes!), prunes enrobed in chocolate, prune jelly, jams, and spreads, and their very own speciality - l'Agenade (defies description but it's a spicy prune sauce to accompany meats or to spread on toast and serve with an aperitif ).

La Ferme de Monredon

Gilberte Doumares

La Ferme de Monredon

47150 SAINT-AUBIN

Tel: +33 (0)5 53 41 66 08

Email: claude.doumares@wanadoo.fr

Web: www.haut-agenais-perigord.com

Guy Lafon is happy to present to you a part of his farm where he breeds his buffalos. You will discover the authentic flavor of his sausages and patés, and many other products from his farm.
In the Cantal you are always welcome to visit the farm where not only buffaloes, but also lamas are showing you a part of their peaceful life in a natural surrounding.

Les Bisons du Cantal
Guy Lafon
15600 Saint-Constant
Tel: +33 (0)6 82 68 20 67
Fax: +33 (0)4 71 49 15 55
E-mail: guylafon@wanadoo.fr

The Saffron limited company of Quercy stays the interlocutor privileged for the marketing of the saffron of Quercy. Thanks to her wide range of products and packaging, she can answer all the professionals who wish to propose the saffron of Quercy, to their customers.
To satisfy even better your urge, we developed a wide range of products in the saffron of Quercy stemming from partnerships with craftsmen, producers or food-processing manufacturers. All these products marketed in the specialized distribution networks and in the export are each, in their way, the ally of the flavour.

You can discover “lolottes”, aperitifs, syrup and still other miracles composing the range on base of Saffron of Quercy during your visit on the Lot Valley Fair.

This coop was created in 1960 and has today 80 producers and 50 employees. It is situated at Laguiole on the Laubrac plateau. The traditionnal products of the "Young Mountains" have a strong history and follow all the rules and regulations to ensure a high quality of the products.
It is the main producer of cheese which is obtained from raw and plain milk of 2 species of cows (Aubrac and Simmental) and is ripen during at least 4 months in our caves.
Come and taste the regional speciality called the Aligot on our stall at Covent Garden.

Coopérative Jeune Montagne
12210 Laguiole
Tel : +33 (0)5 65 44 35 54
Fax : +33 (0)5 65 44 47 57
E-mail : coop.jm@wanadoo.fr

Grefeuille is a familly history which, since the beginning of last century has been breeding lambs in an artisanal way by keeping the youngster under their mothers during all the breeding time. Since 1987, Grefeuille has merged a group of 250 producers to dynamise the production of lambs.
The flock is mainly constituated of Lacaune sheeps which are famous for their high quality of milk (used for a big part of Roquefort cheese), but its also has maternal and meet qualities.
It is this quality of meet that Mr Grefeuille has chosen to prepare for you during the fair.

Grefeuille Aveyron
Le Bayle
12390 Rignac
Tel : +33 (0)5 65 80 82 24
Fax : +33 (0)5 65 80 88 00
E-mail : grefeuille@allaiton.com

ESTOFINADE Aveyronnaise
ALIGOT d’Aveyron
ALIGOT Au Jambon
TRUFFADE Auvergnate
ALIGOT Aux Noix
TARTIFLETTE de Savoie
GALETTE de pommes de terre au Comté
ROSTI, galette de pommes de terre à l’Emmental

Coming from Alsace, the Meyan family recently bought the Domaine de Latuc from an English grower who had already established a high reputation with his fellow countrymen. The wines have already won prizes at France's main wine contests. The vineyards are planted on a south-facing hill near the river Lot, 40km west of Cahors. The soil is limestone, typical of the Cahors region, and the grapes are a mix between Auxerrois (which gives the deep colour and ageing capacity) and Merlot (for softness and bouquet).

The Meyans are following their predecessors in trying to produce a style of Cahors which is easier to drink, suitable for all occasions and able to mature younger.

Château Latuc
Jean-François et Geneviève Meyan
46700 MAUROUX
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 36 58 63
Fax: +33 (0)5 65 24 61 57
Email: info@latuc.com
Web: www.latuc.com

The 10-hectare Domaine d'Homs produces three AOC Cahors wines (red) and a Vin de Pays de l'Agenais (rosé). Their top of range is the cuvée ‘Chevaliers d'Homs' - 100% Malbec grapes from vines that are over 45 years old which are harvested by hand. Since 1999 these wines have each year been accredited with the much prized “ Cahors Excellence - Charte de Qualité ”. The Domaine d'Homs is the only wine not matured in oak to receive this accreditation. [Its sister cuvée, the ‘Chevaliers d'Homs de Favols', is matured in oak.] The ‘Domaine d'Homs' is a fruity, traditional Cahors, for drinking within 5-6 years. The Rosé d'Agenais is a blend of Malbec and Merlot, best drunk chilled as an aperitif or with a meal. With the exception of the cuvée ‘Chevaliers d'Homs de Favols', all of these wines will be available for purchase and tasting at the Lot Valley Fair.

Domaine d'Homs

Daniel or Charlene CAUZIT

Maux

46800 SAUX

Tel: +33 (0)5 65 24 93 12

Email: scea.domaine.dhoms@wanadoo.fr

Château Bladinières is in the famous, long-established CAHORS vineyard. Arnaud Bladinières' grandfather, Serge, worked at what is now the Château Bladinières estate when it was bought in 1922. The estate was then purchased by the Bladinières family in 1981, and they began to concentrate on a single crop - vines! Thus the Château Bladinières vineyard was born. Arnaud will be bringing to the Lot Valley Fair five of his wines:

Cahors (12.5º) - 100 % Malbec grape, red, matured in oak casks for 15 months.

• Vin de pays du Lot (12.5°) - 100 % Malbec (red).

• Vin de pays du Lot (12°) - white, Chardonnay Sauvignon.

• Vin de pays du Lot (12.5°) - Rosé, Malbec grape.

• Cahors (12°) - blend of Malbec and Merlot grapes.

Château Bladinières

Mr Arnaud Bladinières

Le Bourg

46220 PESCADOIRES

Tel: +33 (0)5 65 22 41 85

These are wines with an aristocratic history. Though tiny, the vineyard of Thézac-Perricard was widely famous at the turn of the 19th/20thC for the high quality of its wines. Full-bodied yet with a delicate nose, the wines graced the best banquets in France - from Napoleon III to the President. Tsar Nicolas II was so impressed that he instantly put in such a massive order that everyone talked about it in the country. To the point that, over the years, the wine of Thézac became known as the wine the Tsar chose, the one he wanted - and hence the name Vin du Tsar. The vineyard covers 35 hectares and was replanted in 1983 with Côt (also known as Malbec or Auxerrois) and Merlot vines. Sunshine is plentiful and the soil is stony and rocky - ideal conditions for great wines. The wines are best decanted, or opened an hour or so before serving. The vineyard produces one rosé and three reds:

- “Rosé des Pierres” - light and fruity

- “Tradition” - a characteristic Thézac red, light

- “Le Bouquet” - fruity, rounded, lively

- “Cuvée du Millénaire” - matured in oak casks for 8 months

Vin du Tsar

Plaisance

47370 THEZAC

Tel: +33 (0)5 53 40 72 76

Fax: +33 (0)5 53 40 78 76

Email: info@vin-du-tsar.tm.fr

Web: www.vin-du-tsar.tm.fr

The 4-hectare Domaine de Lancement was bought by the Annibal family in 1993. The vines date back to 1986 and 1990. The main production is red and rosé, blends of Merlot and Malbec grapes. The wines are fruity and smooth. They accompany white meats beautifully or can be drunk as an aperitif. Sandrine Annibal will be at the Lot Valley Fair, bringing with her the 2003 and 2004 vintages (red) for tasting - and buying, of course! She joined the family enterprise in 2003 after many years working in the wine trade both in France and in the UK. Domaine de Lancement is in the small Thézac-Perricard vineyard close to the vineyard of Cahors.

EARL Andel / Domaine de lancement

Sandrine Annibal

Grands Champs

47370 THEZAC

Tel: +33 (0)5 53 40 76 05

Email: s_annibal@hotmail.com

The Couderc distillery was created in 1908 and has always maintained the family tradition of quality and excellence. Its products come from the riches of the countryside around: spirits, distillations of fruits and liqueurs; made from gentian, chestnuts, raspberries, hazelnuts, apples or sloes. The Crème de Chataîgne is basically unknown in the UK – a chestnut liqueur (25% alcohol) which can be used to flavour white wine. It makes an unusual as well as a delicious cocktail called ‘Pelou’ - a great alternative to kir (white wine + blackcurrants liqueur). You can also mix it with gentian liqueur, or add it in desserts like crepes or ice-creams. The chestnut has always been very important in the area, and there is even an annual chestnut festival (‘Foire à la Chataîgne’) in Mourjou (40km from Aurillac).

Distillerie Couderc
14, rue Victor Hugo
15000 AURILLAC
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 71 63 67 91
Fax: +33 (0)4 71 64 68 01
Email: infos@distillerie-couderc.com
Web: www.distillerie-couderc.com

Hand-crafted jewellery, mainly in silver (solid or plate), with no two items identical; some designs incorporate semi-precious stones. Lyseth has been designing and producing jewellery for over 30 years now, her designs inspired by local lore and traditions, and by the magnificent wide open spaces of the surrounding countryside. She exhibits and sells from a former 16thC forge in Monnès close to the Truyère Gorges. The forge now houses a number of craft workshops.

Each département (county) has a service to recommend and to book accommodation of all types. They take the hassle out of booking your holiday – you can contact them by email (the best) or telephone, and they’ll advise you about your ideal break. These are the people to contact to book many of the special offers advertised on this website.

APATAR
17, rue Aristide Briand
BP 831
12008 RODEZ CEDEX
Tel : +33 (0)5 65 75 55 60
Fax :+33 (0)5 65 75 55 61
E-mail : apatar@orange.fr
Web : www.gites-de-france-aveyron.com

In Saint Sylvestre sur Lot, this guesthouse hotel complex with 4 **** allying hotel, apartment, restaurant and diverse activities. Open all year round to allow you to discover the richness of this region.
The history of this establishment dates between XIIIth and XVIIIth centuries. The architecture reveals the traditions of this region with classic and sophisticated decoration inside.
The Château Lalande offers you several types of accommodations (bedrooms, suites, apartment) with spacious and comfortable rooms allowing you to relax and have a good time.
Shielded from an inner courtyard, the swimming pool’s blue waters offer a pure moment of pleasure. In the shade of parasols installed on the terrace time seems to stand still. In a green setting of 9 hectares, you can find tranquillity in a comfortable, elegant and sophisticated setting, romance is in the air.
Within the tranquillity of this place you will also have the opportunity of tasting the creative gourmet delights of the chef whose cuisine adapts itself in every season to the multiple regional products just for the pleasure of taking advantage of delicacies of this region before leaving for a tennis or ping-pong game or just to lean back in the hammam …

Château Lalande
47140 Saint Sylvestre sur Lot
Tel : +33 (0)5 53 36 15 15
Fax : +33 (0)5 53 36 15 16
E-Mail : chateau.lalande@wanadoo.fr
Web : www.chateau-lalande-sylvestre.com

The Lot is 481 kms long, but it only covers a journey of 200 kms, which doubles your chance to fish a lot! It passes from impermeable rock with fast-flowing streams to porous strata drained from below, which explains the varied density of the network of tributaries. The rivers are very well stocked to suit both fly anglers and float fishers.

The Fédération de Pêche is an organisation set up in every county to protect and maintain the river, but also to develop non-professional fishing and ensure an equal access to the fishing treasures of the river to the locals and the ‘tourists’. They organise licences and fix the fishing opening dates, and are the experts to talk to about the best place to have a chance to fish a black-bass, or simply to tease the trout.

The Lozère county is the least known fly-fishing paradise in France, with not just the Lot but many of its tributaries, plus the Loire, Allier, Garonne and Tarn which also flow into the area.

60kms of the river Lot flows into the Aveyron county, where it becomes a more placid river, 50m wide, with deep abysses rich in record-breaking pike (1.37m!), ander, perch and carp - you'll have to compete with them to get the numerous trout, gudgeon and roach swimming nearer to the surface. You can venture a bit further away from the Lot river to explore the 200kms of other rivers and lakes especially developped for night angling in the Aveyron.

Fédération de la Lozère pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique
12 Avenue Paulin Daudet
48000 MENDE
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 66 65 36 11
Fax: +33 (0)4 66 65 92 37
Email: infos@peche48.com
Web: www.peche48.com

Fédération de Pêche de l'Aveyron
Moulin de la Gascarie
B.P. 305

12003 RODEZ cedex
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 68 41 52
Fax: +33 (0)5 65 68 50 20
Email: contact@pecheaveyron.com
Web: www.pecheaveyron.com

Golf du Sabot

Rouergue is the ancient name for the land that is now mainly called the Aveyron. It means “red earth”, and indeed you will be struck by the vivid red of the soil as you explore the area.

The ‘Rouergue Tourisme Service’ motto is ‘Off the beaten track’, and the best and most thorough way of exploring the area is on foot or on a bicycle… and it’s even easier when the whole trip has been organised for you! You relax, chill out and unwind. Your ready-to-walk or ready-to-cycle holiday is all prepared - ready to turn you into a satisfied 'randonneur'!

The hotelier will transport your luggage from one overnight stop to the next, and it’ll be there for when you arrive. Holidays are for 3 to 18 days along well maintained and clearly marked footpaths, or (if cycling) along minor country roads, equipped with a detailed route map. And you’ll be travelling through stunningly beautiful scenery!

Rouergue Tourisme Service
Promenade du Guiraudet - BP 239
12200 VILLEFRANCHE DE ROUERGUE
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 45 13 18
Fax: +33 (0)5 65 45 55 58
Email: infos@villefranche.com
Web: www.enaveyron.com

Mende is what could be called a ‘rural town’. With 13,000 inhabitants, it’s the smallest ‘county capital’ in France, presiding over the Lozère county. Walking along its cobbled streets, you’ll discover many mediaeval buildings, half-timbered houses…and lively bars and cafés for a welcome break. Go up the steeple of the imposing Gothic Cathedral for a perfect view of the surrounding countryside. It’s also the perfect starting point to explore the vast and wild expanses of the Aubrac and Margeride plateaux, the impressive Tarn Gorges and the beautifully preserved countryside of the Cévennes National Park.

You’ll find a wide range of accommodation available in Mende or nearby, and plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Office Municipal de Tourisme
Place Charles de Gaulle – BP 83
48000 MENDE
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 66 94 00 23
Fax: +33 (0)4 66 94 21 10
Email: informations@ot-mende.fr
Web: www.ot-mende.fr

The Upper Rouergue stretches from the immense Aubrac plateau to the green Gorges of the Lot and Truyère. This is a land of unspoilt nature and spectacular landscapes, where you'll find a whole raft of holiday activities. Adventure seekers can indulge in the giddying ‘Via-Ferrata' challenge course over the Truyère gorges www.stegenevieve12.com. Gourmets can feast on fresh farm produce at four farms in the Bozouls area which open their doors to visitors. Hikers and ramblers could be forgiven for thinking they'd reached paradise. Follow the Botany trail near St-Amans-des-Côts. Walk the ancient pilgrims' way to Santiago de Compostela - the Via Podiensis (GR65) - which passes through Espalion. The section of the way near Saint-Côme d'Olt is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site as too is the old bridge (Pont-Vieux) in Espalion. You can even scramble through the ‘Clapas de Thubies' lava rivers near Roquelaure. Walk the ‘Camin d'Olt' route through the Lot and Truyère Valleys, pausing in delightful villages for the night or for a moment's relaxation. Chill out at the Castelnau-Lassouts Dam where you can swim, canoe or just enjoy the peaceful scenery. Want a taste of life in the Middle Ages? Then make for the Calmont d'Olt Castle and relive some pretty scary history. You'll no doubt be a little thirsty after all this activity - or even just at the thought of it! So you'll be forgiven if you head for the vineyards of Marcillac AOC (very close to Rodez airport), Entraygues-et-Fel and Estaing VDQS.

The Lot Valley is split into five administrative areas called départements, roughly the equivalent of county councils. Each of them has a Tourist Board responsible for helping not just hotels, but everybody in the departments who is involved in tourism. Their other key role is to provide useful information to tourists. A representative of each tourist board will be present at the Lot Valley Fair with a whole variety of information about the attractions within their own département.

Lozère Tourist Board
14 bd Henri Bourillon
48000 Mende
Tel: +33 (0)4 66 65 60 00
Fax: +33 (0)4 66 65 03 55
Email: cdt@lozere-tourisme.com
Web: www.lozere-tourisme.com

Comité départemental du tourisme de Cantal
11, rue Paul Doumer
BP8
15018 AURILLAC Cedex
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 71 63 85 00
Fax: +33 (0)4 71 63 85 10
Email: info@cdt-cantal.fr
Web: www.cdt-cantal.fr

Comité départemental du tourisme de l'Aveyron (CDT 12)
17 rue Aristide Briand
BP831
12008 RODEZ Cedex
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 75 55 75
Fax: +33 (0)5 65 75 55 71
Email: aveyron-tourisme-cdt@wanadoo.fr
Web: www.tourism-aveyron.com

Comité départemental du tourisme du Lot
107 Quai Cavaignac
BP7
46 001 CAHORS Cedex 9
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 35 07 09
Fax: +33 (0)5 65 23 92 76
Email: info@tourisme-lot.com
Web: www.tourisme-lot.com

Comité départemental du tourisme de Lot-et-Garonne
271 rue Péchabout
47000 AGEN
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 66 14 14
Fax: +33 (0)5 53 66 08 01
E-mail: cdt47@wanadoo.fr
Web: www.europa47.org

The Châtaigneraie (‘chestnut grove’) is the area where the Auvergne mountains meet the Lot Valley. At the eastern end of the Lot, in the south of the Cantal, the Châtaigneraie takes its name from the chestnut tree, you can still find everywhere in the forests. In this very rural area, its fruit has always been used in many recipes and its wood used for heating and construction; the chestnut tree was rightfully known as the 'arbre à pain', the bread-tree! The Châtaigneraie changes in different colour from north to south: the northern Châtaigneraie is called ‘grise’ (grey), the colour of the granite and schist houses and of their ‘lauze’ roofs, lauze being a special type of stone found only in the extinct volcanoes of this part of France. The southern Châtaigneraie is called ‘rouge’ (red), as the houses have red curved tiles on the roof, as you can find in the Midi. The whole of the Châtaigneraie is studded with medieval villages hidden amid forests and pastures. The region gives plenty of opportunities to put on your trainers and track suit.

For Tourist Information on the Châtaigneraie:
SMIDEC
28 av. du 15 Septembre 1945
15290 LE ROUGET
France
Tel/fax: +33 (0)4 71 46 94 82

Fax: +33 (0)4 71 46 94 83
Email: SMIDEC@wanadoo.fr
Web: www.chataigneraie-cantal.com