Fraysse Haut

Description of accommodation and area: Fraysse Haut is a lovely old farmstead in the pleasant rolling countryside between Puy-l'Evêque and Montcabrier. The valley of the river Lot is just 5 km away and the Cahors vineyards stretch between here and the delightful town of Cahors at 38 km. The bastide village of Montcabrier is 5 km away by road, less by woodland path. Our property has a secluded setting in 6 hectares of fields and woodland with walking tracks from the door, including the Montcabrier circuit. This is a delightful base for walking holidays and discovering the Lot and Dordogne and the pleasures of life in rural France. Amenities and weekly produce markets are at Puy l’Evêque (5 km) and Prayssac (8 km). The guest units - the Barn, the Tower and the Bread house - surround the courtyard where there is a barbecue and herb beds, and a choice of seating and outdoor dining areas in sunshine or shade. We sometimes have a horse around or a few chickens, and have a vegetable garden, but it is no longer a working farm. We have no cats, so there is plenty of bird life around the house including nesting barn owls. Wild orchids are plentiful in May and June, and mushrooms are sometimes to be found in the local woods. The Barn is available all year round, and for long lets.

Lunch with guests

The Cosmofil experience: Cosmofil visitors would be able participate in suggested activities to suit their interests. Everyday activities can provide the basis for an informal and pleasurable way to help people find confidence and improve in the language, by familiarity and repetition. Shopping in the local market, meeting a French friend for coffee, a visit to the library or the cinema, watching French television news and programmes, this is how I learnt French and so can you! I would be delighted help and encourage others to learn French in this way. We generally attract visitors who enjoy walking and outdoor activities. There are several local walking groups who welcome visitors and this is a perfect way to discover the area, make friends and speak French. In summer there are many organised activities, guided tours of towns and villages, nature trails, evening markets and food and wine fairs, all of which offer the possibility to mix with French people enjoying themselves. We can introduce cosmofil guests so that they can participate as our friends.

Walk and Talk...French

Activities: All cosmofil levels. Walking, from the doorstep; cycling (bicycles can be hired locally); horse riding; wine-tasting; river-based activites (fishing, canoeing); bird-watching and wild flowers.

Other: Our accommodation is perfect for couples, but has also proved very successful for groups of family and friends due to the flexibility of the accommodation units. Singles welcome. No smoking in the buildings.