The quiet of the causse
A limestone plateau where birds are most of what you hear. The village is a short walk away, and yet the calm is absolute, day and night.
Le Gîte d’EscampsCharming vacation cottage with private pool, in the heart of the Causses du Quercy
A stone barn, a pool all to yourselves, the silence of the causse
Book on AirbnbCausses du Quercy nature park
A peaceful place, on the edge of a village in the Lot
In Escamps, on the Limogne causse, the cottage occupies the former cowshed of our house. People come for the quiet, the stone walls that keep it cool, the pool reserved for guests alone, and to explore Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors and the Lot valley.
Discover the cottage
A cowshed turned vacation home
Adjoining our house but with its own entrance, the cottage has kept its exposed stone walls and its beams. The floors are terracotta tile.
The bedroom is on the mezzanine, open onto the living room; a small sleeping nook, closed off by a curtain, sleeps a teenager or a friend. The kitchen is fully equipped, the wood stove warms late-season evenings, and fiber internet is there for those who need to stay connected.
- BedroomOn the mezzanine, king-size bed, 71 × 79 in (180 × 200 cm), portable air conditioner
- Sleeping nookTwin bed, 35 × 75 in (90 × 190 cm), closed off by a curtain
- KitchenCooktop, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer
- BathroomWith shower
- OutsidePatio furniture, large umbrella, lounge chairs, carport
For three guests at most. The sleeping nook is not a second bedroom: it suits a teenager or a friend.
Thirty-nine feet of water, and nobody else
The pool is reserved for guests of the cottage: during your stay nobody else swims in it. It is long enough to really swim.
Around it, 4.4 acres (18,000 m²) of grounds to wander as you please, among dry stone walls, oaks, cypresses and lavender. The causse starts right behind, and the Camino de Santiago (GR65 trail) passes just over a mile away, a twenty-five-minute walk. Vaylats, one of the stops along the route, is 2 miles away.
39 × 18 ftpool (12 × 5.5 m)
4.4 acresof grounds (18,000 m²)
Privatefor you alone
The pool is not fenced: children must be supervised by an adult at all times. It can be fully covered by its pool enclosure.
What people come here for
The comfort of a home
A real kitchen, a wood stove, fiber internet, a carport. Everything you need for a long stay as much as for a weekend.
Hosts next door, discreet
We live in the adjoining house. On hand if you need a restaurant tip or an idea for a walk.
The cottage in pictures
All photos can be seen on the Airbnb listing.
What our guests say
5.0
21 reviews on Airbnb, Guest favorite
“The garden gets more beautiful every year. Absolute calm. Philippe as thoughtful and responsive as ever. […] This place has a soul.”
“A haven of peace in the middle of an unspoiled region, where birdsong enchants you […] my husband and I were able to make the most of the place, especially the large pool, looked after with the same care as everything else.”
“This was without doubt the BEST air b&b we have ever stayed in. […] The bed was so comfy, the bathroom lovely, and it was a pleasure to cook in the kitchen (it has everything) […] The house looks out onto the most beautiful garden, full of beautiful flowers and butterflies.”
“A very quiet spot in the Lot, where you can truly relax. […] Philippe is a very warm and attentive host, whether it’s wood for the fire or a spotless pool you have all to yourself.”
HospitalityPoolLocationOutdoor spacesDecorQuiet
Read the reviews on Airbnb
Between Cahors and the Lot valley
Escamps is a quiet village on the Limogne causse. People come to walk, swim and eat well, and the great sights of the Lot are less than an hour’s drive away.
Things to see
- ≈ 10 minPhosphatières du Cloup d’Aural
Former open-air phosphate mines, now overgrown with greenery.
- 20 minSaint-Cirq-Lapopie
A medieval village perched above the Lot river, listed among the most beautiful villages in France.
- ≈ 25 minChemin de halage de Bouziès
A towpath carved into the cliff, right at river level. Pairs well with Saint-Cirq.
- 30 minCahors
The Valentré bridge, the cathedral, the Saturday market and the wines of Cahors.
- ≈ 35 minGrotte du Pech Merle
Genuine prehistoric paintings that you can still see for real, inside the cave.
- Day tripRocamadour, Padirac, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
Further away, but each is worth the trip.
Our favorite restaurants
- 5 minL’Esprit du Causse, Concots
Inventive bistro cooking in an old stone inn. Terrace in fine weather.
- ≈ 8 minAuberge Lou Bourdié, Bach
Traditional Quercy cooking, family recipes and a big fireplace.
- 20 minLe Cantou, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Local produce with Asian touches, two terraces over the village lanes.
- ≈ 22 minL’Oïlo, Tour-de-Faure
Restaurant and bar with a garden, facing Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Evenings only, Wednesday to Sunday, late March to early November.
- ≈ 22 minChez André, Tour-de-Faure
French cooking, facing Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, with a view of the hilltop village. Best to book ahead.
The Cahors vineyards
Cahors is the original home of Malbec, the “black wine” of the Lot. The nearest estates are a 25-minute drive from the cottage: you can taste there and buy wine at the cellar door.
- 25 minChâteau de Haute-Serre, Cieurac
The nearest estate, up on the causse plateau. Tastings and cellar-door sales.
- 30 minChâteau Pech de Jammes, Flaujac-Poujols
Twelve acres of vines near Cahors, plus truffles and saffron. Tours and tastings by appointment.
- 30 minVilla Cahors Malbec, Cahors
The showcase of the appellation, in the center of Cahors: walk-in tastings.
- 35 minDomaine Rességuier, Cahors
A small organic family estate on the edge of town. Visits by appointment.
- 45 minChâteau de Mercuès, Mercuès
A medieval château above the Lot river: wine estate, hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant.
- 45 minChâteau Lagrézette, Caillac
220 acres of vines and an underground cellar. Tasting workshops, a shop and shipping.
How to get here
The cottage is deep in the countryside: a car is the best way to get here and to explore the area.
By air
Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) is the nearest international airport, 71 miles (115 km) away, about a 1 h 30 drive. From the US, connect through Paris or another European hub. The major car rental companies are at the airport; book an automatic ahead if you want one. Two regional airports are about a 1 h 25 drive away: Brive (BVE), 70 miles (113 km), and Rodez (RDZ), 56 miles (90 km).
By train
Cahors station is 19 miles (30 km) away, a 30-minute drive. Direct trains run from Paris-Austerlitz in 5 h 30 to 6 h and from Toulouse-Matabiau in about 1 h 20. There are car rental agencies near the station.
By car
Take the A20 toll highway to exit 58 (Cahors Sud), then follow Lalbenque and Escamps: about 20 minutes from the exit. Toulouse is 1 h 30 away, Paris 370 miles (600 km), about 6 h 30.
Where to find the cottage
In Escamps, on the Limogne causse, 30 minutes from Cahors and 20 minutes from Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
46230 Escamps
Lot, Occitanie, France The map is provided by Google Maps. By displaying it, you agree that Google may set cookies.
Lot, Occitanie, France The map is provided by Google Maps. By displaying it, you agree that Google may set cookies.
Before you book: what guests often ask
Is the pool heated?
No. The pool is not heated; it is open in the warm season, depending on the weather and the outside temperature. It is reserved for guests of the cottage, unfenced, and children must be supervised at all times.
Is there air conditioning?
Yes, a portable air conditioner is provided in the mezzanine bedroom. The stone walls also keep the cottage cool in summer.
Are linens provided?
Yes, all the linens you need are provided: duvet and pillow covers, fitted sheets, bath and pool towels, dish towels.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not allowed: we have two cats ourselves, who live in the adjoining house.
How many people can the cottage sleep?
Three guests at most: a king-size bed (71 × 79 in, 180 × 200 cm) in the mezzanine bedroom and a twin bed (35 × 75 in, 90 × 190 cm) in a small sleeping nook closed off by a curtain. The nook suits a teenager or a friend; it is not a second bedroom.
How do I book?
Only on Airbnb, which handles availability, prices, payment and cancellation terms. You can also message us there before deciding.
Good to know
- Check-in
- Between 3 pm and 11 pm.
- Check-out
- Before noon.
- Guests
- Three at most.
- Internet
- Fiber Wi-Fi, fast enough to work remotely.
- Car, motorcycle
- Free covered carport on site, for your car or motorcycle.
- Safety
- Unfenced pool. An outdoor security camera is present, facing the carport.
- Your hosts
- Philippe and Ali, in the adjoining house.
- Address
- 46230 Escamps, France. The exact address is shared once you book.
The nearest shops
- 5 minBoulangerie-pâtisserie de Concots
Bread and pastries a five-minute drive away.
- ≈ 12 minLalbenque
Spar convenience store in the village center, Carrefour Contact supermarket with a 24-hour gas station, bakery, butcher, pharmacy and ATM.
- ≈ 15 minLimogne-en-Quercy
Utile supermarket, butcher, pharmacy and gas station.
- 30 minCahors
Large supermarkets and every shop you would expect in a town.
Market days
- SaturdayLalbenque
Farmers’ market in the morning, along the main street.
- SundayLimogne-en-Quercy
Sunday morning market.
- Wed., Sat.Cahors
The big morning market, at the foot of the cathedral.
- TuesdayLalbenque
Truffle market, in the afternoon, in winter.
In the villages, many shops close at lunchtime and on Mondays: it is worth bringing a few supplies for your arrival.
Availability, prices and booking on Airbnb
All bookings go through Airbnb, which protects your payment and handles cancellations. It is also where you can message us before deciding: we answer quickly.
Check availability