The 13 most beautiful villages in the Lot

You're going southwest of France? Discover our list of the most beautiful villages in the Lot, to take your eyes!

The Lot villages will not leave you indifferent. The whole department is punctuated with charming medieval towns that seem to be frozen in time. All these historic cities have kept their souls from the past, and it is good to walk. There are medieval buildings and exceptional natural landscapes.

The castles overlook the rivers, witnessing the strategic position of the Lot in the past. Several towns are considered among the most beautiful in the country and you will quickly understand why on your trip to the Lot villages.

1. Rocamadour

We enter directly into the subject with one of the most beautiful villages in the Lot. Rocamadour hangs on the rock side, more than 120 meters above the Alzou canyon. At the first glance that is cast on the village, one feels like entering into a fantastic story. The houses and churches are found in the rock, in a green setting.

Looking at the churches at the top, we understand why Rocamadour has been a high place of pilgrimage for centuries. The Church of Saint-Sauveur and the crypt of Saint-Amadour are classified as the UNESCO World Heritage Site as major elements of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela . Enter the city by the gate of the Figuier before following the only street of Rocamadour: the Crownrie.

Then, turn to the large staircase that will lead you in 233 steps on the parvis where the 8 churches and chapels are erected. The Notre-Dame Chapel contains the Black Virgin, a wooden statue of the 12th century. From the castle walls, you will dominate the city and enjoy a beautiful view of the region.

In Rocamadour, you can also visit the Merveilles cave decorated with rock paintings, the Rocher des Aigles and the Forest des Singes. You understood it, Rocamadour is immanquable.

2. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is ranked among the most beautiful villages in the Hexagon. Elected a favourite French village in 2012, it stands on the edge of cliffs above a meander of the Lot. The church dominates the rest of the city which has no less than 13 historical monuments. You will stroll through its pleasant streets following the course of contemporary art.

Many artists settled in this city with incomparable charm to draw inspiration. The poet André Breton declared after having settled in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie “I stopped wishing myself elsewhere”. It is certainly the impression that you will have when you come to visit this village of Lot.

3. Autoire

The Lot villages are in good place in the ranking of the most beautiful French villages. Autoire is part of its remarkable architectural ensemble. The facades with doves or corbelling are topped with dark roofs. Many castles and manor houses have won him to be nicknamed the “Little Versailles”. The notables of Saint-Céré had made their place of favorite holiday.

Today, the heritage route allows you to discover all the monuments of Autoire. It will lead you to the highest waterfall in the department, which peaks at more than 30 meters. Above the limestone cliff overlooking this beautiful village of Lot, you will discover the castle of the English. This medieval construction of only 2 meters wide made body with the rock and offers you a beautiful view of the region and the village below.

4. Cardaillac

Another exceptional village of Lot awaits you in Cardaillac. Start your visit by the village jewel: the fort with its round and square towers well preserved. You will take the measure of narrow streets below. Prepare yourself for an unusual experience with the visit of the "explored museum". You will push the doors of the buildings to discover in turn a chestnut dryer, the plum oven, the sabotier house... So many forgotten trades that are valued in Cardaillac and remind us of the old way of life.

A village in the Lot not to be missed!

5. Loubressac

This village of Lot perched on a rocky promontory dominates the valleys of the Cère, the Bave and the Dordogne. The view from the village is magnificent, with a backdrop of Castelnau Castle, Montal Castle and St.Lawrence Towers. A small one-kilometre journey makes you discover the village, with its castle and the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Don't miss the bridge of Maday, which enjoins the Bave and where the pilgrims' path between Le Puy-en-Velay and Rocamadour passed.

6. Carrenac

This village of Lot is classified as a country of Art and History for its architectural and historical heritage. You will visit many monuments including the Doyen Castle and the half-Roman cloister, a flamboyant mi-gothic. The church of Saint-Pierre and its tympanum of the 12th century are also not to be missed.

But it is above all the sweetness of living, which reigns in the village, which hits the visitor during a walk on the banks of the Dordogne. It is a real journey in time that offers to you during your visit to Carrenac!

7. Capdenac-le-Haut

Perched at 110 meters high above a meander of the Lot, Capdenac-le-Haut is drawn around his dungeon of the 14th century. Go to the tourist office to retrieve the guide of the “Closs de Capdenac-le-Haut”. This route will lead you through the medieval alleys to the numerous troglodyte fountains and other monuments.

Raise your eyes to admire the architectural wonders that enamel the buildings: roofs of lauze or flat tiles and pigeon trees. It was also here that the last battle of Caesar against the Gaulish resistors took place. The following Roman occupation left many traces that gave this village of Lot its unique charm.

8. Marcilhac-sur-Célé

On the way to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, Marcilhac-sur-Célé organizes around his abbey of the 12th century, whose ruins remain well preserved. These are exceptional landscapes that await you, with a huge limestone cliff overlooking the village. The Célé River will be the occasion of a swim break after exploring the paved streets of the village.

9. Puy-l’Evêque

The golden stone houses of Puy the Bishop are entangled and reflected in the waters of the Lot. Walk through the maze of alleys of this medieval city with evocative names: street of the bworkshops, street of the cloutiers, street of the tinctures... They testify to the economic activity of the city which was once one of the most important ports on the Lot.

Up on the heights you will find two monuments that dominate the city. The thirteenth century tower was part of the castrum which is now missing. The church of Saint-Sauveur, built in the 14th and 15th centuries, impresses with its gothic nave crossed by warheads.

10. Albas

Albas la Jolie is just 20 kilometers from Cahors. The historic heart of the village is on a rocky sparrow overlooking the river. The castle allowed to monitor the passages on the Lot, before the bishops of Cahors made one of their homes. Albas is part of the Lot villages where wine is produced under the name Cahors.

When you arrive, do not miss visiting a vineyard. The many art artisans who populate the alleys will be an opportunity to bring back a beautiful souvenir of your holiday.

11. Martel

This rich merchant city was founded at a commercial crossroads or transited Aquitaine wine and the precious Atlantic salt. The “city with 7 towers” welcomes you in its alleys and squares or are installed terraces of cafés, restaurants and craft shops.

Hop on board the Truffadou, a steamed tourist train that originally served to carry the truffles on the cliffs. You will enjoy beautiful views of Martel and its region. In the village, follow the routes discovered on different themes such as gastronomy or puzzle games for children.

12. Cabrerets

At the confluence of Sagne and Célé, not far from Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, is the charming village of Cabrerets. The English castle, hung on the cliff, is one of the oldest medieval buildings in the Lot. You will also notice many troglodyte houses pierced in the rock. Not far from Cabrerets, the Pech Merle Cave is home to rock paintings dating from prehistory.

And for relaxation, a pretty pebble beach is located not far from the center of this small village of Lot. Not bad, right?

13. The Arques

Since the 11th century, the village of Les Arques stands on a small limestone ridge above the surrounding oak forests. The Russian sculptor Zadkine settled there in the 1930s and many of his works decorate the streets of the hamlet. A museum is even dedicated to him, and many contemporary artists live today in the Arques, making this village of the Lot a cultural stage not to be missed.

A nice 4-kilometre hiking path allows you to explore the surroundings before pushing the door of the St. Lawrence church.

So, conquered by the Lot villages? If so, we understand you!