Château de Mercuès

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A château experience in the Cahors region

The summer residence of the count bishops of Cahors, Château de Mercuès immerses guests into the region's medieval history during the time of the French Wars of Religion. Its strategic position overlooking the banks of the Lot River affords a stunning panoramic view over the surrounding countryside and the vineyards of Cahors. This 13th-century site is pervaded by a strange atmosphere connected to its history, which can be read in every room of the château. All of the rooms open onto either the vineyard or the gardens so that guests can live a life of luxury during their stay in Mercuès.

Pech Merle cave

"Visiting the cave is a special moment because it is rare to observe paintings there are nearly 30,000 years old and so well maintained. There are astonishing figures such as the Black Frieze or the punctuated Horses, but also footprints and stencilled hands. In all, the cave contains nearly 800 motifs including 70 of animals. All these figures are in a unique geological setting. The visit of Pech Merle is a real and unique emotion!"

The view from above

Take off from the château gardens by helicopter, or from the Cahors airfield by light aircraft, and enjoy a bird's eye view of the most beautiful sights, towns and villages, as well as breathtaking landscapes. Grow wings and take to the skies!

Precious stones

In Cahors, the domes that overlook the Cathedral of St Etienne seem to jealously guard a gem that dates back nine centuries: a Romanesque portal shelters an Ascension of Christ executed so exquisitely that it almost gives the impression that we too can get a little closer to heaven. On the banks of the Lot, the last fortified medieval bridge in France dominates the town for which it serves as an emblem, with its three 14th-century towers. These exceptional monuments are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, just like the Way of Saint James of Compostela, a prestigious label that bears witness to their splendour

Musical Thursdays

Every Thursday evening during the summer, the grounds of Château de Mercuès resound to the joyful sounds of live musical performances and animated conversations as the gardens are transformed into an open-air lounge. Amid a celebratory and relaxed atmosphere, enjoy an aperitif before sharing carefully selected dishes alongside a glass of the estate's own wine, or a house cocktail, all with breathtaking views of the Lot Valley as the sun goes down.

A wine tasting in the heart of the château

From its highest reaches to the depths of the cellars, embark on a guided behind-the-scenes tour of Château de Mercuès. You'll wander through its vaulted rooms and corridors, all the way down to its cellar carved into the rock. Along the way, you'll step back in time, following the path of Malbec, the estate's emblematic grape variety, from vine to barrel. The experience concludes with a guided tasting in the cool cellars where the chateau's great vintages slowly age.

Itinerary - From Bordeaux to the Lot : Emphasis on Culture and Nature

From Bordeaux to Mercues via Limoges, this week-long trip explores a heritage where nature sets the tone. Vineyards, maritime pines, endless meadows, valleys with lazily flowing rivers, and thousand-year-old caves: the landscapes of the Southwest offer a wealth of riches and emotions... <a href="https://www.relaischateaux.com/us/destinations/routes-du-bonheur/from-bordeaux-to-the-lot-emphasis-on-culture-and-nature" target="_new"><b>See the itinerary</b></a>

Itinerary - From Toulouse to Limoges: the nature and wonders of the great Southwest

From the Haute-Garonne to the Haute-Vienne, from the suburbs of Toulouse to the city of Limoges, roads and lanes meander through splendid natural parks and villages boasting artisanal and gastronomic traditions that are sometimes centuries old. <a href="https://www.relaischateaux.com/us/destinations/routes-du-bonheur/from-toulouse-to-limoges-the-nature-and-wonders-of-the-great-southwest" target="_new"><b>See the itinerary</b></a>