Beautiful Medieval House in St. Cirq Lapopie, Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne, Midi-Pyrénées Reviews

For my 60th birthday, I wanted to plan “an exciting, yet relaxed adventure” with six of my girlfriends. The Coeur de Lion house in Saint Cirq Lapopie fit the bill perfectly. Located in a charming, medieval town in Southern France, the house is beautifully decorated, impeccably maintained, and full of modern conveniences, while offering period touches, comfortable furnishings, and beautiful vistas from every room, including the bathroom! The town of Saint Cirq Lapopie is a gem, with lots of narrow, meandering streets to explore, and nestled in a landscape of incredible beauty. We went on many enchanting adventures, all the while knowing we had a magnificent and welcoming place to return to at the end of the day. A one-of-a-kind spot for a one-of-a-kind trip. I highly recommend it with absolutely no reservations. You will love it!
P.S. For those of you who like ice cream, there’s a restaurant on the road to Pech Merle with extraordinarily delicious offerings. You can’t go wrong.

Mara and Hallie K., Brookline, MA

My husband and I have been renting vacation homes for years and this is the most incredible home by far! Charlie, the host and homeowner has managed at create an experience of staying in a historic home with the finest bathrooms, kitchens and furnishings. No expense was spared in the house, our combined group of seven had room to spare. Not only is the house amazing but the village of Saint Cirq Lapopie is breathtaking. I found myself taking photos of the village constantly! Just steps out the door are amazing restaurants, cute shops and art exhibitions. In the village nearby we rented mountain bikes for the teenagers and took a family kayak journey at the host’s recommendation. This host goes above and beyond and ensuring the guests are comfortable and happy. Every day he sent recommendations for dinners out, markets and fun things to do.

One thing future renters should know, this is truly a medieval village, built with a castle on the top of a hill, with some relatively steep inclines toward the top of the village. [Owner's Note: From the private owner's parking lot, you walk up a dozen stone steps, then through the Ancient Gate, on a relatively flat stretch of street that takes you to the house. You can also drive your car up to the house to unload luggage, shopping, etc.\ If you are ok with the inclines, you will be treated to amazing views across the village and valley below. You can also walk down to the beach and enjoy a cooling swim in the river. Saint Cirq Gormande is worth the walk up for the amazing apple tart, all the restaurants we tried served amazing dishes with duck as the regional specialty. There is nothing we would trade out from the vacation including the incline. I can't say enough times how amazing the views are from every window of the house and every location in the village.

This house offers everything you can ask for in an immersive experience. Our two family’s with three teens had more than enough to do for everyone. Truly incredible, highest recommendation.



Tracey Y. (and family), North Carolina

(I'll make it brief.) This place is magical. Thank you so much for a fantastic time. Fantastic village. So much to do around there. Loved the river. Tres bien!!!

J.C. and S.C., San Francisco. California

We’re back from France and of course missing it very much. St Cirq Lapopie was clearly our favorite place without a doubt. So magical. Despite the heat, we carried on and although we had less energy to do all that we wanted, we took extra time to sip wine as you suggested and I made several walks on flat ground to the bakery in Tour-de-Faure for bread, croissants and chocolatines. I made a connection with the very nice lady there and she helped me some with my french! We made a point of speaking and writing in french as much as we could. My husband and I tasted and purchased wine from Musee de Vin which was so fun. We all roamed with our cameras at various times of the day and night. La Roue was our favorite restaurant; we went there 3 times for dinner! The kind folks got used to my evening phone call about asking for a reservation (in french) and never completely understanding their response; we showed up and there was always a table waiting for us. The owner made a point of coming to talk with us and asked us how we heard about the restaurant; I let then know that you did.
Our favorite market was Limogne-en-Quercy; the town looked adorable and I only wish I took time to explore it. (This was our first outing/market and I was ready to head back “home” after getting our purchases.) Next time! Some of the group went to the cave and loved it. Some went swimming and some hiked the tow path along the limestone cliffs; so beautiful. Most of us got to see the medieval bridge in Cahors when we were there for the market or when picking up members of our group at the train station. Every time I tried to read, I ended up just staring outside. I especially love the little window by the chair in the TV room. My husband liked the different ways the stone was done underneath the windows in the main bedroom.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience your house and village. We are so grateful. We will cherish our memories and look forward to the time that we return to make more.


K. H-M family, Wellesley, Massachusetts

It was so fantastic! I can't think of a single thing we wanted for. Everything was perfect. The terrace was so fun and we soaked up many wonderful hours of shaded chatter and laughter over local wines and cheese. We did have a bat visit (bats in France are not the rabies-prone American type; in fact, they are protected by French law!) Of course, as soon as he came downstairs and heard the ruckus, he fled to safety. We fondly named him Jean Claude von Bat. It is a home/village/vacation that dreams are made of. Thank you!​

A.R. & L.S., Massachusetts

In the air back home, swiping through the holiday photos and reminiscing. Oh, what a lovely time we had. Memories linger in my heart of St Cirq Lapopie, a friendly, kind, romantic, scenic place enjoyed by all.

My hopes for a meaningful family celebration of Bob's birthday succeeded beyond expectations.

Looking back, it was the simplest daily events that provided us lasting memories.

Our favorite pastime was walking to Bouziès along the Chemin de Halage, one time extending the walk over the top of the mountain, ending with homemade Tiramisu at Restaurant Les Falaises.

Buying homemade yogurt after watching the goats being milked at La Ferme de Létou.

Buying croissants and baguettes at the bakery in Tour de Faure.

Taking guests to admire Latoulzanie homes and views.

Cheap cup of coffee at Chez Namphaise at Caniac du Causse.

A boat ride on the La Crousière down the Lot River.

On cold days, sitting by the fire. On warm days our favorite spot was the terrace.

We also relished witnessing spring blooming, daily new wildflowers, wisteria adorning house façades, leaves unfolding and getting covered by caterpillars on our walks.

Outside of wine tasting, visiting other towns, we highly recommend Jardin Marqueyssac, a beautifully manicured boxwood garden (very suitable too for families with children). It's an oasis above touristy La Rogue Gageac if you have not been.

L'Oustal was our favorite restaurant, followed by Le Cantou.

Thank you for finding a slot in your calendar for us to explore and enjoy your home.

B. & A-J O. & Family, East Bay,California

We had a wonderful stay at Coeur de Lion. St Cirq Lapopie is an amazingly beautiful place. We basically stayed close to home, walking and exploring nearby. We enjoyed Penni's meals twice. L'Oustal was our favorite local restaurant. The set up of the house was very comfortable for three couples. We enjoyed picnics at your outside terrace. We had great weather. Thank you!

D.K., Martha's Vineyard

Thank you again for making your amazing place available to us - we have all looked at the video of the renovation again. It means more now that we have been here. Among the many highlights: When your neighbor, Pat, stopped by to bring us some fresh homemade scones. She would not accept any payment and assured us that she always does that for "Charlie's guests." This morning we tasted the best scones, still warmish from the oven, complete with cream and a plate of fragrant strawberries.

We also enjoyed the Cahors and Limogne markets where our daughter, the chef-turned-translator, went wild over the quantity and size of mushrooms. She made Beef Bourgogne for us one night. (Each of us agree to author one meal.) One night we ordered one of Penni's dinners. Aside from eating and drinking we have visited every shop in town, even gone to the beach, admired many churches (including the interesting painted Chagall-like windows at the cathedral in Cahors.

​Oh, yes, my wardrobe has a bit more panache after visiting Christine atelier. Our amazing 4 1/2 year old, Zoe, has taught us all that old time favorite, Dominoes. After three weeks, we all left, off in different directions, taking with us happy memories.

Paul & Evelin B., New York

Thanks so much for donating a week at Coeur de Lion to the New England Zoo and for the opportunity for us to bid and win the week we just spent there. We had a fabulous time! We did the market at Cahors and the vineyards, a few day trips to Carcassonne and Albi. We visited Pech Merle, ate at Le Cantou. The weather was terrific, your neighbors are delightful and so helpful and welcoming. Penni and her incredible cooking were a godsend, and we enjoyed so many lovely outings outdoors, on your terrasse, and in the many places to picnic along the gorgeous Cele river. THANK YOU.


K.G., Massachusetts

Our family, including my husband, mother, daughter, her boyfriend, and our college aged son and three of his friends from the states and UK, just finished our week-long stay at your beautiful, home. To say we enjoyed ourselves would be an understatement!

Several of us started our trip in Paris and then made the easy, six hour drive to the house in a rental we picked up in the city. Our daughter came by way of Barcelona and also rented a car from the Barcelona airport. Having a car while staying at the house was great for seeing the sites in the region.

Our typical day started with coffee outside on the terrace, followed by one of the many things to do in the area. We explored the quaint shops and delicious restaurants in the village, went swimming and kayaking at the river, played frisbee at the river, explored Pech Merle (too cool for words), visited Cahors, visited several markets where we purchased fresh produce, cheese and wine, went on endless walks through the village and on the trails, read in open windows and outside on the terrace, played UNO, Scabble, and Yahtzee, and drank delicious local wines...all...day...long. We also went to dinner twice in town, but preferred whipping up meals in the gourmet kitchen. We also met "new friends" on the terrace picnic table (practically every evening) and finished the day with more wine under the stars! We were never bored!

The house was big enough for all nine of us to have our own private spaces,and the open floor plan, kitchen-dining-room-living-room, accommodated us in the evening for dinner followed by cards or board games.

On the last night in the village, the annual Bastille Day festival took place with an incredible DJ and light show, plus yet another excuse to drink more local wine and beer. Our group ranging in age from 21 to 72 had such a great time that we have already planned our next visit in 2019! The next time we will return with our daughter, her boyfriend and our son, but will bring two new couples with us, too.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us!

Melisa V. and family, U.S. and U.K.