For more information and for details of events and activities in the area, see the Office of Tourism sites for valley of the Dordogne and for the department of Lot :
Exploring
In this area there are lots of beautiful villages which have kept their charm despite the march of time - the old stone houses with their typical red tiled roofs, often clustered around the church. See Places to see for ideas...
Swimming
You can swim in the river Dordogne at many places in summer. The water quality is excellent and is reported regularly. But it can be dangerous so do stay away from deep or rapid water, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
Just by the bridge over the Dordogne there is a pebbly beach, a swimming area and tennis courts. From mid June to mid September a café/buvette, la Glugette, is open for ice creams, drinks, snacks and meals. All this is on the south (Montvalent) side of the river.
The Vieux Chêne, on the banks of the Dordogne at Montvalent, has a heated pool free for customers, open from June to September. To find the restaurant, turn off the D840 between Montvalent village and Gluges (follow the signs).
And a little further afield...
La Saule just off the road between Bétaille and Carennac is a huge semicircular pool with slides and a restaurant, open from June to end August.
Quercyland water park at Souillac, by the banks of the Dordogne : five pools, restaurant, games, activities for all ages. Open from mid-May to September.
Canoeing
Available nearby on the river Dordogne : You can hire canoes and kayaks at Gluges from Port Loisirs et Copeyre. Canoeing is recommended as an excellent half-day or day trip. You paddle downstream and a minibus brings you back.
The faint-hearted can choose a half day trip while the courageous can take the full Gluges to Souillac option, but start early as it’s a very long 27km trip! It’s probably best to take the middle way and meander down from Gluges to Pinsac (19km). You can hire a large watertight drum to hold your valuables. Take cold drinks, take a picnic and, if you’re lucky, eat watching the kingfishers.
Climbing, canyoning et caving
Port Loisirs : 05 65 32 27 59
Walking and cycling
The large scale map Rocamadour / Padirac / Vallée de la Dordogne, IGN 1:25000 2136ET, is recommended and shows local footpaths in red.
Two long distance footpaths cross in the village of Montvalent, the GR652 which goes east-west, and the GR46 north-south route to the site of Rocamadour. The pilgrim path from Bénévent l'Abbaye (Creuse) to Rocamadour, created in 2012, crosses the bridge at Gluges on the GR46.
The quiet roads and gentle slopes of the valley or the causse are perfect for cycling. Climbing up out of the valley is more of a challenge but the views are rewarding!
Golf
For golfers there is a 9 hole course at Montal and an 18 hole course at Souillac Country Club.
Tennis
At the bridge of Gluges, on the south side of the river next to the buvette, are three hard tennis courts for hire, floodlit at night, and a practice wall.
Paragliding
Organised courses and individual flights with Parapente Valley.
There are three sites in and around Montvalent :
- Mont Mercou to the north of Creysse for south east winds.
- Between Montvalent and Meyronne, above the old port of Creysse on the left bank of the Dordogne for south west winds.
- The cirque of Floirac, near Soult, for north and north east winds.
Culture
Montvalent's annual village fête is held in late June and the Fête Committee organises events throughout the year. In addition there are often concerts at the Café de la Halle in the village centre and at the Guinguette du Vieux Chêne on the banks of the Dordogne.
In summer many events - village fêtes, music festivals, farmers' markets - take place in surrounding villages. Creysse, Meyronne amd Martel hold their fêtes in August. The Sim Copans jazz festival in Souillac takes place in July, and the festival of St Céré and Haut Quercy comprises many mainly classical and operatic concerts held at various venues in the area in July and August.
Summer in Martel brings many events in the streets and also exhibitions in the Palais de la Raymondie near the market hall. There are free concerts under the market hall every Wednesday, the Fête of the Bandas (a competition between traditional street bands), the sheep shearing fête in July and the annual fête held over a four day period in mid August.
Casino
Casino à Alvignac, restaurant : route Padirac.
The Haut Quercy tourist train at Martel
Le Truffadou steam train : the steam-powered train of the Chemin de Fer du Haut Quercy runs from the old station in Martel almost to Saint-Denis-lès Martel, high up along the cliffs, through tunnels and over viaducts with great views over the Dordogne valley. Highly recommended.
Open from Easter to autumn.
Dancing
The Vieux Chêne has dancing evenings in summer as well as a variety of concerts and special events.
Cinemas
The local cinemas at Vayrac, Souillac, Gramat and Bretenoux show a variety of films every week. For English films look for VO (version originale). Leaflets listing the programmes for the current month are available in local shops and on posters. In addition, a travelling cinema shows films once a month at Martel in the Palais de la Raymondie.
