This is just a small selection of places that we take our friends to see when they come and stay with us.

Within or around 25 km of Moissac, an easy drive or even a cycle ride away are some pretty towns and villages well worth a visit.

Castelsarrasin, has a market every Thursday with a section devoted to live ducks, geese and chickens. On the edge of the town is a XVIII° century monastery known as the abbey of "Belleperche".

St.Nicolas de la Grave, has a small market every Monday. A castle built for King Richard the lion heart that was later enlarged in the XII°century by the Abbots of Moissac. (unfortunately it is not open to visitors). A museum  dedicated to Lamothe-Cadillac,the birthplace of the founder of the City of Detroit, U.S.A and recounts his adventurous life. It also has a large lake of 400 acres, which is at the end of the river Tarn; this, then joins up with the river Garonne and you can walk around it, or go dingy sailing on it. The lake is also a bird sanctuary and home to thousands of birds. Fishing with a permit is also allowed here.

Auvillar, is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France". Its a stop over for pilgrims en-route to Santiago de Compostela. It has a beautiful and rare circular hall in the village square.There are some good restaurants, an art gallery, an antique shop and a pottery shop. There are some stunning views across the valley and river Garonne.

Lauzerte, is a typical medieval French hilltop village which has been beautifully preserved by its inhabitants and has lovely views over the surrounding countryside. A short drive further on from Lauzerte is another beautiful village called

Montcuq, (If you speak French, you will know this is quite rude but it always makes people giggle). It has a lively Sunday market, an interesting tower and some lovely shops and restaurants. Nearby is the Grotte de Roland, an underground cavern which has a subterranean lake and was the home to prehistoric bears. Also nearby is a lido with a sandy beach, open throughout July and August for swimming.

Montauban,  If your an art lover, there is the Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres museum which has over 4000 drawings of his work. There is also sculpture by Antoine Bourdelle, along with other art and historic artifacts from around the local area. Montauban is a really nice town to wander around. The old town centre is pedestrianized and has an interesting selection of shops, galleries and boutiques. There is a reputed jazz festival in early summer.  This is about a 3o minute drive away.

 GOING SLIGHTLY FURTHER AFIELD

Two of France`s major cities, Bordeaux and Toulouse are within a easy drive. Bordeaux is approximately 1hr 40minutes and  Toulouse is 45minutes.

Carcassonne, the famous walled city which is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site is 1hr 30minutes drive away. 

                        

Another must for an art lover is Albi which is the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec, and has a  museum dedicated to the artist, which has the largest public collection of his work in the world. There are over 1000 paintings,drawings and lihtographs on display.  Albi is another very interesting city to spend a day exploring, with a cathedral, the old city and a walk along side the river Tarn.

A day out along the lot valley, stopping to visit the town of Cahors, with its world famous XIV°century bridge spanning the river Lot. The stunning perched village of St.Cirq-lapopie with its ancient lanes full of arts and craft shops. The underground caverns of Peche- Merle with its prehistoric cave art. On returning, why not stop and taste some of the local Cahors wine.

Another great day out is a visit to Rocomadour, dramatic because of the way it clings to the side of the rocks above the river Dordogne. Its religious artifacts have attracted pilgrims and kings for hundreds of years. 

 Wine tasting

Geographically Moissac sits in the middle of many famous regions of wine, eg. Bordeaux, Gaillac, Buzet, Cahors, Tariquet and Fronton to name but a few. All of these areas have local vineyards which are open to the public, where you can stop and sample the wine and maybe get a good deal on a case or two.