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Les Escaliers de La Combe

Lot, Occitanie
1 acre hosted by Les C.
Fringed by undulating vineyards and a shimmering sea of sunflowers, this is true camping à la campagne

Ask most tourists to point out Quercy-Blanc on a map and they'll draw your query blank. Nestled where the departments of Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot, and Lot-et-Garonne converge, this little known pocket of south-west France has so far eluded the commercial trappings of mass tourism. Considering it's home to meandering rivers, sprawling oak woodlands, limestone gorges and some of the country's most beautiful historic villages, the region's unspoilt, semi-anonymity is pretty darn remarkable. But with a campsite like Les Escaliers de la Combe to base yourself, something tells us Quercy-Blanc won't remain a secret for too long.

Plotted in the 'blink-and-you'll-miss-it' village of Saint-Matré, Les Escaliers de la Combe has been run with the utmost care and attention by the lovely Nihot family for the last 8 years. Fringed by undulating vineyards (bearing grapes for the local Cahors) and a shimmering sea of sunflowers, this is true camping à la campagne.

The site comprises just 12 spacious grass pitches open to tents, caravans and everything in between. For those looking for a spot of comfort, the three cute, colourful log cabins come fully-furnished and equipped with all the mod cons you could require for a completely fuss-free stay. And every pitch comes with its very own dining area which includes a picnic table, chairs, and parasol so you can enjoy a spot of al fresco dining. And while we're on the subject of campsite cuisine, you really are spoilt for choice here. Hosts Coen and Ilse feed their guests like members of the family, with a varied table d’ hôtes menu of delicious French dishes served daily. Be sure to ask about the special catering packages on offer.

There's a relaxed, family-friendly feel to this place. Campers return season-after-season, eager to savour the silence and simplicity that make Les Escaliers the perfect setting for a tranquil retreat. For school holidays, there's a wealth of activities to keep the kids entertained, with Ilse and Coen's own brood (Juliette, Frédérique and Laura) fulfilling the role of (un)official children's entertainment officers. Send the littl'uns to The Big Red House where they can have a go at cooking lessons, play restaurant ("for real!") or put on a fashion show. And when they've had their fill of that, there's animals to pet, a pool to paddle in, and acres of space to explore and let their imaginations run rampant.

Though it may be hard to tear yourself away from camp, be sure you do. The region is scattered with plenty of stunning mountain settlements such as Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (officially among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France). Anyone with an interest in religious history should be sure to visit nearby Rocomadour. Beguilingly situated atop a rocky plateau, this huge centuries-old shrine boasts a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary, the tomb of an ancient saint, and a supposed fragment of a sword which once belonged to Emperor Charlemagne's bravest knight. If the tales don't move the cynics among you, the spectacular views over the Alzou Valley will do the trick.

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Location
Lot, Occitanie, FranceTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Les C.Joined in February 2014
From the host
Fringed by undulating vineyards and a shimmering sea of sunflowers, this is true camping à la campagne
Nearby attractions

There's plenty of hiking, cycling and wildlife-watching opportunities to be had at the Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy (0033 565 24 20 50). The highlight though has to be a spooky descent down the Gouffre de Padriac (0033 565 33 64 56), a huge chasm and subterranean river system.

Cahors, the capital of Lot, boasts distinctive white limestone buildings, most notably the arched and fortified Pont Valentré which dates from the 14th century.

Toulouse, France's fourth largest city, is about 100 miles to the south if you fancy a day trip.

Pick up the pilgrim trail with trips to the nearby communes of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Rocamadour. Both lie on the UNESCO World Heritage route of the Santiago de Compestela. You can scale the latter's 216 weathered steps ('Grand Escalier') to the beautiful band of chapels, shrines and the pedestrian precinct. Mercifully, there's also a lift!

Food and drink

Campers eat like one of the family here, with the hospitable Nihots serving a 4-course table d’ hôtes – including wine and a cheeky aperitif – 7 evenings a week for just €28.50 (5 evenings in low season). Kids eat a 3-course feast before the adults for €10.  The Nihots will also be able to advise you on the area's best restaurants and shops. And, of course, for cheese, look no further than Rocamadour. The commune's eponymous, small white goat's cheese is the perfect accompaniment to a glass of full-bodied Cahors.

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