DOMAINE DE SAINT GÉRY
Gracious country domain near the Lot valley
COUPLES KEEN TO ESCAPE THE CROWDS (and who love to eat well) should check out Domaine de Saint Géry: a collection of ancient farm buildings in local calcaire stone
bordered by fragrant lemon and fig trees and framed by hilly Quercy forests.
This has been Patrick and Pascale Duler’s labour of love for the last 20 years. The couple run an auberge and intimate restaurant here as well as producing some of the region's famed
staples of haute cuisine such as foie gras, truffles and cured hams. The environment created exudes stylish calm within and without, and a tranquil pool completes the Duler domain.
Tucked high beneath beamed eaves with wood or stone floors, rooms at Domaine de Saint Géry come with vaulted exposed stonework interiors, rustic antiques and good bathrooms. Guests can
beat a path to the pool from private terraces with garden views, and the duplex suite with its fig-tree shaded terrace and 19th century armoire, is especially spacious.
Hit the Spot
In the village of Lascabanes, between the Dordogne and Lot valleys.
Bedtime
We loved La Souillarde, next to the gardens.
Be Savvy
It's a place for meat treats: dinners feature home-produced foie gras, hams and saucisson.
Be Smitten
Lot valley farmhouse with lots to sing about.
Truffles and foie gras
Patrick’s modern cooking is epicurean. Dishes come scented with Domaine de St Géry's own farm truffles (try the carpaccio de magret), while foie gras and confit are specialities. The potager provides organic herbs and vegetables, and Pascale’s desserts are a treat.
Diners gather around a communal table, and there’s terrace eating on warm nights. What's more, you'll be able to stock up with some of the Domaine's delicious produce when you leave.
Woodland running trails, a fitness room and, of course, the pool (heated), should keep you out of trouble. Nearby, venerable old towns jostle with gorgeous Lot countryside. Visit Cahors, historic St. Cirq Lapopie and Rocamadour, or play golf, canoe and waterski. Markets and festivals proliferate from summer to autumn.
Domaine de Saint-Géry was reviewed by
Room for Romance
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Dining in
This place is rustic epicurean heaven in the Périgord. Prize-winning chef-patron Patrick Duler takes cooking seriously, basing
recipes on the region's finest culinary delights – black Périgord truffles, local Gascony pork and foie gras. Succulent cured hams and sausages are produced on the estate, and truffle groves yield their treasures here for the dinner table. Dine on delights such as foie gras with green asparagus and black truffles, and slow-roasted Barbarie duck, and get chatting with your host and fellow guests around the dinner table.
Dining out
We're sure you will want to dine in, but Cahors is close enough (at 18km) for lunch out. Enjoy local gastro-fare on the terrace of the 15th century L'Auberge du Vieux Cahors.
Where?
Domaine de Saint-Géry
What's cooking?
Delicious mains such as herb-marinaded Gascon pork fillet grilled on the fire, served with a mushroom flan.
Dress the part
It's the essence of rustic chic.
Top table?
On the balcony on summer nights.
See & do
You're face-to-face with nature here: the estate has 12 km of bridle paths, meadows and walking trails where you can wander and spot wild orchids, butterflies and birds. Work up an appetite exploring the grounds, watch the horses grazing by the lake or see the ten hectares of truffle-growing terrain. Have a dip in the wood-heated pool, burn off a few calories in the fitness room or curl up with a book in the library.
Plan excursions to some of a region bursting with big sights and historic towns: there's Sarlat, with its medieval citadel and Benedictine abbey, the prehistoric caves of Lascaux, the vineyard country of the Lot, the hilltop tower of Montcuq and the ramparts of Cahors, to name just a few big sights.
Shop
Buy some home-cured meats and other goodies for a country picnic from the Domaine's own farm shop.
After dark
All that rustic peace is surely an excuse for an early night.
Dates
December till mid March
Pick up some of the region's black diamonds at the weekly Lalbenque truffle procession, when the scent of truffles fills the streets.
GETTING THERE
Location
Lascabanes, 46800 Montcuq en Quercy
Parking
There is free guest parking.
Trains
Cahors station – 25km
Taxis
Around EUR 60 from the station
Airport
Toulouse – 108km
Rooms and suites
Five rooms
Special features
Distinctive rooms all have different characteristics. Four have a terrace, and most have rustic exposed stonework walls, beams and antique furniture.
Also...
Idyllic grounds are laced with bridle and walking paths, meadows and truffle grounds.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 205 – 395
Open/closed
Closed October – May
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
Midday
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
Welcome
Pets
Dogs accepted
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
French and some English
Wedding license?
No
Eco conscience
The estate grows much of its own produce, and actively recycles.
Your contacts
Patrick and Pascale Duler – owners