Gourdon Property Insight

Gourdon is located in the north west of the Lot department and in the Midi Pyrenees region in the centre west of France. It is the historical capital of the Bouriane, a sandy area close to the Quercy. Its 5,100 inhabitants give it the third rank of the Lot department in terms of population.

It is surrounded with touristy sites amongst which Sarlat and Les Eyzies in the north, Rocamadour in the east and Cahors in the south. Built on a 286m rocky hillock, it offers an amazing view on the Bouriane and Perigord valleys. Gourdon is 45km from Cahors, 25km from Sarlat and 75km from Brive-la-Gaillarde and 150km from Toulouse, Limoges and Bordeaux. The Céou River runs thourgh the town.

Overview

At first, Gourdon was a castrum with a fortified castle and circular ramparts. The lower town developed near this reassuring stronghold. The castle and its ramparts were destroyed during the 17th century on the request of Richelieu. It nowadays remains only the circular shape of the ramparts used by tourists while going for a ride. However, the old town kept many others aspects of the Middle Ages. Gaze at Rue du Majou and its fortified door where you can admire beautiful 14th, 15th and 16th centuries’ yellow-stone houses, Sénéchal house, the 17th century town hall, Saint Pierre church (a fortified church with a Baroque architecture built in 1302 - part of the World Heritage), Cavignac house, churches and chapels, enchanting medieval decors in the back-alleys, half-timbered houses, narrow and tortuous alleys…

Prehistoric Cougnac’s caves are characterized by a wonderful mineral vegetation. This site is enriched by numerous fine prehistoric animal paintings, human representations, rock formations and enigmatic signs. They are part of the World Heritage and are renowned amongst worldwide paleontologists.

Stare at the most beautiful monuments of the town: Notre-Dame-des-Neiges chapel, the 12th century quaint water mill, the 13th century Cordeliers church, Notre Dame du Majou Chapel, the 13th century Saint Pierre de Prouilhac church, the 17th century tabernacle and the Virgin altar, Lafontade Chapel, Saint Romain church, Maladrerie Chapel.

Gourdon is accessible from Bergerac, Limoges, Toulouse or Bordeaux. Toulouse’s airport regularly flied to the UK – Filton, London. Bergerac airport is only 90mins from Gourdon and leads to more than 10 British destinations such as London, Manchester or Edinburgh. The town is also served by the Brive-Toulouse railway line.

Gourdon Immobilier & Property Market Trends

Gourdon is a remote village of the Lot department and thus benefits from attractive property prices. If you are a DIY person, then some bargains are worth glancing at it in the area for a trivial price i.e. less than €80,000.

Village houses represent an interesting buy-to-let or second home investment: they are quiet cheap and could be profitable on the long view. Large renovated houses - 3 or 4 bedrooms at least - enjoying a swimming pool, a large land and/or outbuildings currently cost between €200,000 and €300,000. They are perfect for people wanting to retire in a quiet place or setting up a business in a pleasant landscape (small guest house).

If you can afford to buy something larger and thus more expensive, then you will have a large choice of chateaux, bourgeoise houses or farmhouses from €300,000. They have more than 6 bedrooms and may be a profitable investment. Depending on your expectations, everything is possible and within reach in Gourdon.

To get updated info about the property prices in the Lot departement, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

5 Reasons to Buy a Property in Gourdon

• Street market: Gourdon is famous for its farm market town. Residents and tourists come there either for their pleasure or only for shopping. It takes place each Thursday during the summer in Saint Pierre square. This is the best way to discover the authenticity and nature of the area. On Thursdays and Saturdays you can discover local produce and specialities. This is an opportunity for you to buy directly to the producer and speak with the locals. Atmosphere is convivial and friendly, just enjoy!

• Sports and activities: Gourdon offers numerous hobbies both to the holidaymakers and residents. Gourdon has several sports facilities for rugby, football, athletics and horse riding. You can also practise tennis, hiking, canoe, cycling, mountain biking, potholing or petanque. Another famous and attractive hobby is fishing. You can choose between two ponds. The plan d’eau d’Ecoute s’Il Pleut offers 3.3ha and numerous fishes: pike, zander, carp, roach and tench. The plan d’eau de Laumel, with its 1.5ha, allow to fish rainbow trout, pike, tench and carp.

• Gastronomy: Gourdon is the country of truffles and foie gras, but is it also worth tasting all the other specialities such as confits and duck breast, Causse leg, boletus mushrooms, honey, chestnuts, walnut cake, not forgetting the goat’s cheese called cabécou. The Cahors red wine is the local wine to be served with your dishes. The area is rich in hazelnut trees and chestnut trees. Agriculture and food industry are the main economic sectors of Gourdon. Thanks to its companies, it produces 30% of the French foie gras.

• History: the Hundred Years’ war devastated the Quercy area. At this time, Gourdon played an important role in the resistance towards the English invaders. In 1360, the Quercy came under the English law. Gourdon then capitulated. This was also the first step after Rocamadour on the way of Compostela: thousands of pilgrims went through the town over the centuries.

• Tourism: along with agriculture and industry food, tourism is a main economic sector for the town. Eco-tourism is currently rapidly growing. Gourdon offers its visitors the best conditions to spend the best holidays. Everything is done so that holidaymakers find their happiness: water centre, hostels holiday village, festivals, activities, facilities for educational school trips to the countryside and seminars. Its three keywords are originality, quality and diversity. The town is listed as one of the most beautiful places of France. In summer, numerous animations take place in Gourdon. In June, the locals celebrate the successful Saint Jean fete but you can also attend block parties and the so-called Rencontres Estivales with music, theatre and dance.

Property Styles and Architecture in Gourdon

Amongst the architecture and property style in Gourdon, we can quote stone houses and village houses which are the two most frequent types of property you will find there. But some cottages and farmhouses are also for sale in the area, as well as large houses, which can easily be transformed as Bed & Breakfast or guest houses. In general, most houses in Gourdon are renovated. Detached houses often have shed dormers (on the roof), pigeonnier,swimming pool and garden.

• Stone houses: they are detached or village houses and may have exposed stones or painted walls. They are charming modern houses often renovated, detached houses enjoying a garden and a swimming pool as exposed previously. Stone village houses are located in the town centre and are thus close to all amenities.

• Countryside houses: very large houses may be the opportunity for you to set up a guest house or a Bed & Breakfast, as they often hold many bedrooms. The large land it offers is the best place to install activities’ facilities such as a swimming pool or a tennis court. You can pitch on a bourgeois house, a chateau, an inn or simply a detached house. You could keep your living space while taking care of your guests in a quiet and beautiful place.

• Farmhouses: they are very large properties with land and outbuildings - barn, former stables. Usually made of stone and with a courtyard, they are located in the countryside and offer an amazing view on the surroundings. They are often renovated inside and made be used both as farms or homes: in some of them, agriculture facilities are still useable.

• Village houses: they have both advantages and disadvantages. Their main asset is their close location to the local shops and other amenities. However, even if located in a small town, they are surrounded with neighbours and offer less calmness than detached houses. This can be the right place for you if you are looking for both quietness and dynamism of villages.

Click here for more info about Midi Pyrenees Architecture.