Meet Ann Lokey and Mark Clausen

Ann Lokey and her husband, Mark Clausen, live in Mercer Island, Washington, USA. Mark loves to bicycle. Ann teaches yoga and loves to hula hoop. The couple has been to France many times, and Mark has cycled extensively there. Ann and Mark find it to be a divine place with four-star food, wine, scenery and people.

Why St Cirq Lapopie?

In Ann’s words:

The first time I visited the village of St Cirq Lapopie 20 years ago, it took my breath away. Seven years later, I went back with my husband.

We loved our time there, and I always wanted to return. I visited again in Fall of 2008. We stayed in a gite in the village and became friends with the owners. They showed us their petite maison for sale. We are very excited that we could make it ours. In 2010, we bought the house next door and combined it with our first house, knocking out walls between. We gained a fabulous garden for BBQ”s and al fresco dining, 3 more bedrooms and 2 more baths, as well as a proper laundry room.

The village of St Cirq Lapopie is magical. It is premier among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. It is an artist’s village perched on a 300 foot outcrop above the River Lot. There are many things to do while in the area. Eating gourmet food is always tops for us. One may also visit the cave paintings at Pech Merle. Chateaux abound, as do the many markets in other beautiful villages nearby. There is swimming and boating on the river. It is the land of Foie Gras and Truffles. The local community is very warm and welcoming, including a great ex pat group. What is not to like about this slice of heaven?