Would you like to discover the South West of France? Then visit the Lot and its incredible medieval villages!
A destination still unknown in France, the Lot reveals its secrets to those who travel through its beautiful villages of ancient times. Figured in time, the alleys of his medieval cities bring us back to a time far from our daily life.
But visiting the Lot is also experiencing strong emotions in the open air: walking, cycling or kayaking. Open wide eyes to admire the immutable traces left by man and nature for millennia. Wanderlix makes you discover the 9 essential things to do in the Lot.
1. The Gouffre de Padirac
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dupont bettina
Start your stay by exploring the famous Padirac Gouffre, located 8 km from Rocamadour. This unique swelling in Europe is a 35-metre thick and 103-metre deep hole. But don’t worry, the descent runs easily with an elevator!
During 1:30 , cross the underground river on a boat accompanied by a guide. This true exploration will take you to discover a giant stalactite of 60 meters: the Great Pendeloque . How not to be admired in front of this natural creation suspended above Lake Pluie . A little further, admire the Grand Dôme room and its concretions shaped for millions of years by nature.
Note: during the high season, this dizzy dip attracts a lot of people. You are advised to book in advance on the Padirac Gouffre site to avoid a long queue. Also, the temperature never rises above 13°C, so think about taking hot clothes.
2. Prehistoric sites
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Iakov Filimonov
The Lot contains two prehistoric caves, witnesses of this ancestral era. You will first discover in the Cave of Cougnac , eight original representations of a meter fifty wide on the walls. Real masterpieces displayed in the eyes full of visitors’ questions.
cave of Pech Merle in the Célé valley is also a high place of parietal art in France. For 1 hour, decipher the 70 animal and human figurations on the walls: fingerprints of hands, deer head, horses and mammoth. All that represented the life of prehistoric men 25,000 years ago is extended in these seven rooms. For the little anecdote, two children from the village discovered these incredible drawings in 1922!
To preserve these ancient paintings, the number of visitors is limited to 700 people in July and August. Book your visit in advance to have room. Just like the Padirac Gouffre, don’t forget to cover you with warm clothes!
3. The devil bridge
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Iakov Filimonov
The bridge of Valentré in Cahors is listed on the UNESCO heritage thanks to the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route . To better discover the history of one of the most beautiful medieval bridges, book a guided tour by the tourist office. Then walk among the plane trees of the city of Cahors and its famous vineyards.
For the anecdote: According to the legend, the architect of the bridge of Valentré would have given his soul to the devil in exchange for his help on the site, hence the nickname of “devil bridge”.
4. The must-see villages of the Lot
Rocamadour
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The medieval city of Rocamadour overlooks the Alzou canyon from its rocky promontory. A true prowess of balance, this perched village hangs in the void to more 120 meters high ! From a distance, the architecture of the houses is very important between the steep rocks and the green forest.
You are advised to stroll quietly in these picturesque alleys of old charm. Rocamadour is also a high place of pilgrimage as part of the way to Santiago de Compostela. It is thanks to him that the Saint-Sauveur church and crypt Saint-Amadour are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you have the opportunity, visit the city in September during Mongolfiades . In the morning, the balloons start at sunrise in the still thick mist of the valley.
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Boris Stroujko
The French decided by electing Saint-Cirq-Lapopie as the most beautiful village of the hexagon in 2012. When you go to this medieval village on the cliff, you can quickly understand why. These alleys where time has no grip, visit each other on foot to better immerse themselves in their historical architecture. His imposing church dominates the meanders of the river below such as the guardian of the hidden treasures of his History.
Many artists have been drawing inspiration here for decades thanks to natural lights reflecting on ancient stone. Flip at the pace of your steps by imagining the inhabitants of the time activate in their daily lives. This is also the Lot: to go back to the contact of its heritage that did not take a wrinkle!
Figeac
Photo credit: Shutterstock – chrisatpps
Another village that seems to live beyond the centuries is Figeac. It gives the impression of being frozen in time so its medieval streets are well preserved.
The whole historic centre is composed of incredible houses of the Middle Ages as authentic as each other. This perched city offers a 360° panorama of the Lot valley and its river below. It is also a must-see step on the way to Santiago de Compostela!
5. Local specialties
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Visiting the Lot is also discovering specialties from the terroir. Eve your taste buds with candied duck, foie gras, truffle, cheese or Quercy lamb. Whether in a star-shaped table or in more intimate hostels, local recipes are enjoyed in conviviality.
Then walk through the most beautiful markets of the Midi-Pyrénées in Cahors and Prayssac. The good odors of truffles are mixed with the saffron and the effluves of Rocamadour AOP. You will not leave without having tasted Cahors Malbec’s wine accompanied by a quercinoise sweetness.
6. The path of Santiago de Compostela
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La Voie du Puy offers several stages in the Lot including between Bach and Cahors. The pilgrims thus discover a road full of cathedrals, abbots, medieval bridges and villages perched on the valleys. This path is also found in communion with oneself and the surrounding nature!
7. The green paths of the Lot Valley
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The Lot Valley is the ideal playground to enjoy a bike ride. She counts 3 Motorways and 2 green tracks through preserved landscapes.
Borrow the incontournable Véloroute Vallée du Lot and its 160 km roads marked between Cahors and Aiguillon. This route corresponds perfectly to the families, because it has little denveloped through the villages. Visiting the Lot by bicycle is admiring the hidden corners of nature at the sound of the birds’ song.
8. Sport in the middle of nature
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The Lot Valley captivates the heart of all nature lovers. Kayak over the water on the Lot, Dordogne and Celebrating River. Measure yourself to the stone during a climbing session or hiking in the forest. So many sensational experiences to live strong emotions in breathtaking landscapes!
9. The Regional Natural Park of Quercy Causses
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Irina Crick
Walk into the vast Regional Natural Park of the Quercy Causses in the Lot Valley. On the programme, hiking or biking in this green lung. He even obtained the Geopark label in 2017 for the richness of his geological heritage. A place not to be missed when you visit the Lot!
To be seen and done as well
- Visit medieval castles: Cénevières, Bonagui, Castelnau-Bretenoux;
- Speleology in the underground;
- Wine tasting in the Cahors vineyard;
- Discover many medieval villages: Autoire, Martel, Loubressac or Carennac;
- Observe the stars in the purest sky of France, in the Parc Nationale des Causses du Quercy.
How do I go to the Lot?
The Lot has no airport, but there are two nearby. Brive airport in the Dordogne valley to 1 hour and the one from Toulouse to 2 hours . If you want to fly, you can compare the offers via our partner Skyscanner to find the best prices!
The most convenient thing is to come by car. Indeed, the highway A20 dessert very well the Lot. The Valley is located 6 a.m. de Paris , 1 hour de Toulouse , 4:30 de Lyon and 5:30 de Nantes . You can thus circulate more easily during your holidays from one point to another.
The train is also a softer alternative to visit the Lot. The Paris-Toulouse line passes by Le Lot in only 5 a.m. . The city of Bordeaux is located 4 hours train. To move then, take SNCF buses. They serve the main villages of the department.
Where to stay in the Lot?
The Lot has a variety of accommodations according to the tastes and desires of each. If you prefer nature, opt for accommodation near the Quercy Regional Natural Park. Out. occupies a central place to visit the south of the Lot as well Rocamadour to explore the north. If you are looking to experience a unique experience in nature, book an unusual night in trees or in a bubble.
Many hotels, bed and breakfasts or exceptional cottages are ideally located Voie du Puy . The hikers benefit from quality services during their stop in the Lot Valley. The department also has several areas for motorhomes, including in Cahors or Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Whatever your desire for the night, you can find the rare pearl by doing a search on our Compare hotels . If you prefer the experience “as at home”, you can also choose to rent a Airbnb !
You will have understood, visiting the Lot is discovering an extraordinary palette of experience to do during your holidays. Between lush nature and medieval villages, let yourself embark on an adventure out of time.
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