Arriving Relaxed: What Your First Day at Village de Montmarsis Looks Like
Gourdon, Lot-Dordogne
From check-in to your first swim — a soft landing in Southwest France
Arriving on holiday with children… it can be a challenge. A long car journey, tired kids, unpacking, everyone wanting something different at the same time.
But at Village de Montmarsis, a small-scale luxury holiday park near Gourdon in Southwest France, many families notice something special: as soon as the car turns into the driveway and the rolling hills of the Lot come into view, everything begins to slow down.
Your first day here feels like a warm southern welcome. No rush. No stress. Just fresh air, open space and the promise of long evenings outdoors.
Let’s walk through that first, wonderful holiday day — step by step.
The drive: the landscape opens up
During the final kilometres toward Gourdon, it becomes clear why so many families choose this area. Village de Montmarsis is located on the border of the Lot and Dordogne — two of France’s most beautiful and authentic regions.
Expect:
- Rolling green hills
- Honey-coloured stone villages
- Forests that invite children to run
- Quiet country roads perfect for exploring
Along the way you pass small villages, market halls, castles and farmland — the kind of scenery that instantly sparks children’s imagination.
Just a few minutes from the park lies Gourdon, a charming medieval town with narrow streets, welcoming terraces and a lively weekly market.
In many ways, your family holiday begins before you even arrive.
Check-in: time to exhale
At reception, the Montmarsis team welcomes you with a smile. The staff is multilingual (English, French, Dutch and German), and very experienced in welcoming international families.
You’ll receive practical information about:
- Pool and brasserie opening hours
- The bread service (high season)
- Parking and unloading
- Baby equipment (if reserved)
- Optional extras such as barbecue rental
Because the park is small-scale — around 60 detached holiday homes and 5 safari tents — arrival never feels crowded or overwhelming.
There is space. Attention. Calm.
You can already sense the relaxed atmosphere that defines the rest of your stay.
Your accommodation: privacy, comfort and feeling at home
One of the great strengths of Village de Montmarsis is its spacious layout. The detached holiday homes are surrounded by greenery, offering privacy and room for children to play.
Inside you’ll find:
- Comfortable living space
- A private terrace
- A bathroom
- A fully equipped kitchen
- Free WiFi
- A family-friendly layout
- Optional baby cot and high chair rental
If you’re travelling with children, you’ll recognise the familiar moment: everyone runs in a different direction, excitedly exploring rooms and calling out, “Look at this!”
Suddenly, the long journey is forgotten.
Step outside onto the terrace, and the peaceful French countryside wraps around you.
Unpacking… and shoes off
Because you can park close to your accommodation while unloading, settling in is quick and easy.
And then comes that wonderful moment: we’ve arrived.
The children head straight for:
- The playground
- The football field
- The table tennis tables
- The pétanque court (surprisingly popular with all ages)
More active family members may even start with a quick game on the tennis court.
The park’s clear and safe layout allows children to move around freely — something many parents truly value.
Meanwhile, you take a cold drink from the fridge and finally relax.
The first swim: a Montmarsis ritual
For most families, once the suitcases are inside, there’s only one place to go: the pool.
The swimming area includes:
- A large main pool
- A separate children’s pool
- A spacious sun terrace with loungers
For parents: relaxation, comfort and a clear view of playing children.
For kids: freedom, water fun and new holiday friends within minutes.
The atmosphere feels like a boutique resort — but without crowds or noise. It’s easy to see why so many families specifically search for a small-scale holiday park in France with a swimming pool.
Montmarsis offers exactly that balance.
First evening: no need to cook
After a refreshing swim, cooking often isn’t a priority. Fortunately, the park’s brasserie provides an easy and welcoming solution.
On your first evening you’ll find:
- Family-friendly dishes
- Fresh salads
- Classic favourites for children
- A good glass of regional wine or refreshing drinks
The terrace overlooks the pool area, which is perfect if your children want to play a little longer.
The atmosphere is relaxed and international. Holiday friendships form quickly — both for children and parents.
As the sun sets and the sky turns soft shades of pink and gold, you realise something wonderful:
This is only your first evening.
When night falls: peace and quiet
Walking back to your holiday home or safari tent, you’ll notice something many guests deeply appreciate: silence.
No loud campsite noise. No busy traffic. Just the soft sounds of nature.
Evenings at Montmarsis are warm but calm — ideal for families seeking a comfortable yet peaceful holiday in Southwest France.
Sleep with the window slightly open. Wake up to birdsong instead of traffic.
And the days that follow?
From the second day onward, the rhythm feels effortless:
- Fresh bread in the morning (high season)
- Children playing independently
- Easy trips to Gourdon, the Dordogne Valley, castles, caves and medieval villages
- Picnics by rivers
- Evenings on your own terrace
Village de Montmarsis is a place where families find breathing space — privacy, facilities, comfort and the freedom to do as much or as little as they like.
Curious what your first day would look like?
Check availability via the official website : www.montmarsis.com
For questions or reservations : info@montmarsis.com
Instagram : @villagedemontmarsis_gourdon Peut-être que cette première journée sera bientôt la vôtre.
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