Des cerises pour six personnes, s’il vous plaît
Words by Co-Founder, George
Is the South of France the most English place in the world to go on holiday?
I would argue that parts of it are more synonymous with Tom, Dick and Harry than Cornwall. It's deeply ironic if so because, despite decades of English love for the region, there is still no obvious sign that the French like having us there. But maybe that’s just the dance we all like to do.
It would be a huge shame to spend a week in Provence or Gascony without at least one French waiter giving you a look of disgust for wanting to order food in their restaurant at 1pm.
Earlier this summer I returned to the location of our campaign shoot, this time with my family in search of exactly this experience. Read on if you also love the way the French still pretend to dislike us.
Sleep: Maison Garcin
Situated just outside the village of Lamontjoie, in the Lot-et-Garonne department, is the beautifully restored property of Maison Garcin. You approach along a plane-tree-lined drive, which leads through a gate, flanked by two beautiful old farm buildings with the perfectly symmetrical house in front of you. It is a glorious entrance. Not ostentatious, but it gives you an immediate sense of place, history and character.
In the house, you'll find six double bedrooms - each with very comfortable large beds and ensuite bathrooms - a huge airy kitchen, and a couple of reception rooms. The interiors are a step up. Stripped back to reveal the age and workmanship of the original building and then layered tastefully with wall murals, varied artwork and rustic furniture.
Combined with a great outside seating area and pool, Maison Garcin is a holiday home that combines style, calm and a sense of occasion.
Eat: Chez Vous
A twenty five minute drive from the house (everywhere is a twenty five minute drive it turns out) is the restaurant Chez Vous. Set in a timeless square, surrounded by period buildings and covered by a high, open sided, roof it feels not far off being a movie set, while remaining completely authentic. A village dog potters about and there’s a book exchange in the corner.
The food is short on options and big on flavour. A wheely blackboard with barely legible French is put in front of you. The region is known for its duck so expect several variations on the menu at all times of year. All in all it is an outstanding place for either lunch or dinner.
Shop: Lectoure
A twenty five minute drive from the house is the hill top town of Lectoure. Visiting on a Friday morning is a compulsory activity if you do go on holiday to the area. The town itself is very pretty and the high street has a classic French market - loaded with seasonal food (cherries and apricots in June), tins of pâté (mostly duck) and a few Chinese made toys (one of which we bought). In addition to the market are a number of antiques shops, with extremely desirable contents.
Once loaded up with all the above - although my wife and I couldn't quite bring ourselves to pull the trigger on a 19th-century lamp - grab a seat at Café des Sports for an ice-cold-demi.
Gascony remains one of those places where doing very little is time well spent.
Jusqu’à la prochaine fois. Bonnes vacances à tout le monde.
For any holiday enquiries, you can send an email to: contact@maisongarcin-gascony.com
