I stayed at La Carriere after repeated recommendations from family and friends that regularly enjoy weekend breaks and longer stays in this most charming of French retreats on the river Lot.

The family that run this manor house are very friendly and immediately make you feel at home in their beautiful house. Justin and Robin have emersed themselves into the local community and can offer you the REAL French experience and lifestyle. If you have kids, Georgia and Antonia delight in showing new guests their large playroom and will keep them permanently occupied! The accomodation offers a gite and bed and breakfast options. We opted for B&B and our room was just what we hoped for. Rural decedance with an indivdual and original twist.

After a hard days wine tasting, we were welcomed back with afternoon tea and local French pastries on the terrace, whilst the kids swam in the pool in the garden. There is so much to do, we will have to go back next year; we could only fit in horse riding in the hills, a caoeing picnic trip, a leisurely cycle through the local vineyards and shopping in Cahors!

We were also introduced to a fabulous French restaurant, La Recreation, an old school house in a quiet village that serves local french fare to the highest standards in a lovely shaded courtyard. Best of all it cost an amazing E25 per head for a 7 course extravaganza!!!

We are planning on selling up ourselves and relocating if this is what French life can offer........

My husband, 15 month old girl and I stayed here for one night in August, 2004. We quickly wished we had made the stay longer. La Carriere has a wonderful view of the Lot River and is only feet from it, actually. Our room was the Pigeon Tower. It was large with its own bathroom and stayed cool even on the hot day we visited. The owner, Robin and her children were graceous hosts, especially to our baby, who loved the pool, the swing set, the girls, and their sweet dog Zoe. Albas is very small and surrounded by other small quaint villages with plenty of great eating places. Canoeing, boating and other water sports are popular here. If you appreciate beautiful scenary and like leisurely breakfasts with a small group of other travelers, definitely make a stop here. Our room was 50 Euros/night including breakfast, which we thought was very reasonable.