*** A most beautiful area of the Northern Lot. The region known as La Bouriane extends from Gourdon to the Lot Valley & from Cahors to Puy L'Eveque West of N 20 (renamed as D820). It is a region of oak woods where the limestone formation disappears under a bed of sandstone , a lovely red and ochre colour. This soil allows the cultivation of chestnut, pine and walnut trees. There are vineyards on slopes with southern aspects. A great number of rivers carve through the plateau creating a hilly, mixed wooded countryside scattered with farms and wildlife. Notably butterflies/moths, golden eagles, buzzards, kites, deer and boar. The Quercy national park is to the East containing the picturesque Célé valley. 
Surrounded by beautiful villages St.Germain-du-Bel-Air, St.Martin-de-Vers to name but two.The Market towns of Gourdon, Salviac & Labastide-Murat are closeby. Locally & within easy reach are the rivers Lot, Célé & Dordogne with their boat trips, rafting & canoeing facilities. Also several caves notably the Gouffre de Padirac with it's underground river trip. 
Some notable nearby chateaux are Chateau de Castelnaud, built in the 12th century which faces Chateau Beynac across the Dordogne River. Château de Hautefort is built on a stunning rocky promontory & is one of the most remarkable châteaux in the region. 
Other places of within 30 min drive are the walled city of Cahors with the unique Pont de Valentre, the Bastide town of Domme, the city in the cliff of Rocamadour, the village of St. Cirque Lapopie sitting high above the river Lot and the Rose Labyrinth and water gardens at Figeac which itself has it's ancient walkways. 
Further afield but within a day trip are the ancient city fortress of Carcassonne, the new Millau 'bridge in the clouds' & the Cities of Toulouse, Brive-la-Gaillarde & Limoges.