Tourist Information Midi-Pyrenees Things to do & see French Pyrenees Department 46 : Lot / Quercy

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Midi Pyrénées

Tourist Information Midi-Pyrenees
Things to do & see French Pyrenees
Department 46 : Lot / Quercy

Bretenoux

Bretenoux is on the GR652 walking route. A charming town with a nearby leisure lake at Tauriac which offers supervised swimming, pedlaoes, canoes and mini golf. There is canoeing and kayaking on the Dordogne river (children must be over 7 and able to swim), and two municipal tennis courts. A full range of shops including four restaurants which are open all year round, and markets on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

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Cahors

A large town with some medieval buildings, surrounded by the famous Cahors vineyards which produce fine wines. Cahors has a Wine Museum, the Resitance Museum and the Henri Martin Museum for fine arts. The Cathédrale St Etienne is a staging post of the Saint Jacques de Compostelle pilgrim route. and the Arc de Diane is the remains of the once important Roman baths. There are markets on each day of the week, including a poultry market. Le Petit Train is available for tours of the town, or there are river cruises lasting from 1 hour to a full day. There are parks and gardens in abundance, a full range of shops, restaurants and amenities, and two municipal swimming pools as well as leisure lakes, cinema and theatre. Cahors makes an excellent base for exploring this region of the Lot.

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Capdenac

Capdenac offers lots of possibilties for a holiday. On the borders of the Lot & Aveyron regions, there is fishing and canoeing on the Lot river, and a leisure lake open during July & August with boats and pedaloes for hire. There are 7 walking routes in and around the town, from 7 - 13 km, and a riding centre for if you would prefer to explore the region on horseback. In summer there is an open air cinema, and the town also has mini golf; a skateboard park, tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool open all year round. There are guided visits of the town on Wednesdays during July & August. Nearby is La Grotte de Foissac with its 5000 year old stalectites. Visit the church Notre Dame des Voyageurs for its exceptional modern stained glass windows.

Carennac
Situated on the banks of the Dordogne river, Carennac is quaint, chaming, medieval and almost tourist free. The Church of St Pierre is worth visiting and dates from the middle ages. for its ancient cloisters and stone entrance archway. There is a stone bridge at the entry to the town a wealth of pretty cottages, with towers and turrents all adding to its charm.

Castelnay Montratier

An agricultural town, where regional produce and the local Coteaux de Quercy wines are an important part of life. Sporting activities available include tennis, golf, riding and fishing. There are boats to hire, and a children's games area. The local crêche is open to visitors as well as residents. Two restaurants are open all year round, and there is a multimedia room with internet access.

Catus

Catus is a small town of approximately 900 inhabitants, in the north of the Lot region. There is a good range of shops and services and a Tuesday morning market. The nearby Lac Vert leisure complex provides for canoeing and pedalo hire, swimming and tennis. There are also municipal tennis courts, children's play area and picnic site. Nearby is the Château de Crabilhé, and at Crayssac, La Plage aux Ptérosaures where you can discover imprints of prehistoric creatures including dinosaurs.

Cazals
Situated between the regions of Quercy and Périgord, Cazals offers a varied landscape, walking and cycling routes, tennis courts and children's games area. There is also a large lake with grassy areas, pedaloes, fishing and swimming. The town's medieval château is classed as a historic monument, but is not open to the public. There is a Sunday food market.

Duravel
Duravel enjoys a mild, warm climate due to its sheltered position at the foot of the wooded hills of the region. The original Duravel Church has its origins in 1055. The town has some quaint narow streets and stone houses, and a Saturday morning market.

Figeac

Figeac is an important staging post on the pilgrim routes to Saint Jacques de Compostelle and Rocamadour. The town has many medieval streets, and the Hotel de la Monnaie which dates back to the 13th century and is now used as a museum and the town's Tourist Office. Churches to visit are Notre Dame du Puy and Saint Sauveur. Potholing is a popular pastime, arranged by the Figeac Caving Association. The Musée Champollion is devoted to the brilliant linguist Jean-Francois Champollion, who worked on the translation the Rosetta Stone Egyptian hyerolglyphics from 1822 - 1824.

Gourdon-en-Quercy

Gourdon-en-Quercy is the third most important town in the Lot region and after Rocamadour, the second most important stage of the Saint Jacques de Compostelle route The town also produces 30% of the total foie gras in France. A municipal outdoor air swimming pool is open from 4th June - 16th September , and during July and August there are a number of fêtes and festivals including Gourdon by night, guided visits of the town and a medieval festival in August. Nearby is the Grotte de Cougnac which contains the oldest prehistoric cave paintings which are currently accessible to the public.

Labastide-Murat

Situated on the GR46 route and close to the Parc Naturel Régionale de Causses du Quercy, the town and area offers excellent opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding. Other activities available locally are karting, hang gliding and potholing. Markets are held in the Place de la Mairie on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month, and a regional produce market on Sunday mornings during the summer.

Lacapelle-Marival

This small town of approximately 1400 inhabitants is surrounded by gently rolling hills and stands midway between the rivers Lot & Dordogne. The town dates back to Roman times, and the dominating feature is the Château Cardaillac which provides the backdrop for many summer exhibitions. A walking route around the town is indicated by enamelled plaques with explanations on each. The town's neo-gothic church is Notre Dame de l'Assomption. Summer activities include a municipal pool, open July and August, and tennis courts. The Merival Lake has a surrounding walking trail of approximately 1 km, from where there are good view of the château.

Lalbenque

Lalbenque is justly famed for its yearly Truffle Market. Sellers and buyers crowd the streets each Tuesday between December and the middle of March to sample the Black Truffle of Quercy. Other sites to see in and around the town are a number of dovecotes (Les Pigeonniers), windmills, and the typical shepherds' shelters of the region called Gariottes. An interesting visit is to the ancient phosphate mines.

Luzech

The town of Luzech is almost an island, being encircled by the River Lot. There is boating and fishing, and the GR36 walking route passes through the town. It is situated in the heart of the Cahors wine region and can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. In August thee are weekly Monday festivals. Places to visit include the Archaeological Museum, the Planete des Moulins (models of windmills) and the Musée des Ammonites in the Tourist Office. The town also has a Media library with internet access.

Mauroux

A rural village of approximately 430 inhabitants. The original chateau is long since ruined except for one of its towers and a part of the original house dating from the 14th century. Walking is well catered for with a total of 10 different proposed routes in and around the village, and there is a municipal tennis court.

Montcuq-en-Quercy

Montcuq-en-Quercy is one of the towns in the 'Quercy Blanc' region of the Lot, so named because of its white stony ground, pale coloured earth and light coloured houses. It dates from the 12th century and features a vibrant Sunday morning market, classed as one of the best 100 markets in France. Nearby is a leisure lake for bathing and fishing. There are a number of excellent walking routes, and the town is famed for the production of quality melons. There is a good choice of concerts and exhibitions throughout the year and a municipam swimming pool.

Padirac

The town is famed for the Gouffre de Padirac, a large cavern which has been eroded from the surrounding limestone rock by an underground river. The 13.5 miles of passages and galleries underground cavern are explored partly by boat, and the trip lasts about an hour and a half. Next to the Gouffre is the Insectopia, an educational and interesting attraction where insects can be examined, with interactive computer activities and videos.

Payrac
Payrac is a small village although well provided with restaurants and basic shops. There is a municipal swimming pool and tennis courts, a farmers' market, and some splendid scenery in and around the village.

Puy de L'Eveque

This fascinating town is built on a rock overlooking the River Lot. The town has 2200 inhabitants, and is situated in the midst of the Cahors vineyards which produce the Auxerrois wines. It is also well known as a gastronomic destination, with duck, foie gras, ceps, nut cake and truffles as the principal delicacies. There is plenty to occupy the visitor, especially in summer. The last week in July has the Day of the Painter, and during the first fortnight in August there is a 5 day local festival, with free concerts in Place de la Truffière. There are sound and light shows, a modern art exhibition in August and nocturnal walks through the town. Guided tours are free and take place on Wednesday mornings. The river was always important to the town and used to be the main transportation for goods destined for Bordeaux. Today it offers canoeing and kayaking, and fishing, as well as walks along the riverbank. Local produce is sold at the Tuesday morning market in Place de la Truffière, and at the Saturday Farmers' Market in Place G Henry. There is a media library, a municipal swimming pool, three tennis courts and mini golf.

Rocamadour

One of the most visited villages in the region for both its spectacular situation and its repuation as a place of pilgrimage. The village, with many medieval houses is built into the limestone cliffs which overlook the Gorge of the River Alzou. In 1166 the body of St Amadour, who reputedly witnessed the martrydrom of St Paul and St Peter, was found close to the town's chapel. Following the discovery, a series of miracles occured in the town, and from that time onwards it became a place of pilgrimage. The 12th century Cité Réligeuse which consists of 7 chapels is situated at the top of the Grand Escalier, a set of 233 steps leading to the top. (There is an escalator for those who do not wish to make the climb).The Chemin de Croix is a steep climb but there are splendid view over the Dordogne valley from the ramparts ofthe 14th century château at the top. Rocamadour is also famed for its creamy goats cheese and there are plenty of shops, restaurants and boutiques. The town also offers tennis courts, and a stained glass exhibition at the Atelier de Vitraux. Visitors can tour the town in summer in Le Petit Train. It is very dramatic and picturesque, and because of its fame it can become crowded in high season. An interesting visit, especially for children, is the Fôret des Singes (Monkey Forest), with 130 monkeys roaming freely in the forest. The visit lasts about an hour, and is open from 1st April - 11th November.

Souillac

An interesting town with its roots in the Middle Ages. Guided visits are available from the Tourist Office (in English on Thursdays at 5pm), as well as themed and noturnal visits during July & August. The Musée de l'Automate et de la Robotique is the largest of its kind in Europe, with over 1000 exhibits on display. Places of interest in the town include The Abbaye Saint Mairie, the Rue du Pont and Place Barnicou with its ancient wells marking one of the five city gates.

Sousceyrac

Situated in the north of the Lot department, between the Cantal moutains and the Quercy valleys, with fields dotted with cattle for milk and meat and exceptional scenery around, Sousceyrac is an ideal and picturesque location for nature lovers. There are three walking routes: the 30km GR652 taking you throught the Gorges de la Cère, the 6km route of Le Saut de Vieyres, with waterfalls, ruined watermills and La Grotte de l'Ermit, and the 7.5km Botanic Route with over 90 species of trees. The area is also good for mountain biking. Visits include La Chapelle de Notre Dame de Verdale, and the nearby Lac du Tolerme (pictured) for swimming, windsurfing and pedaloes. There are also opportunities for swimming, trout fishing, and cruising on the River Lot.

St.Cirq-Lapopie

A very pretty village, perched high on a clifftop above the Lot river. In the past it was one of the four main towns making up the Quercy region, with an impressive fortress dominating the village. Below the fortress the narrow streets wind their way through the village, some with timber fronted houses dating back to 13th & 16th centuries. Some of the street names denote the crafts which were practised in the town. There were hide merchants living in Rue de la Pélissaria and metalworkers living in Rue Payrolerie. St. Cirq-Lapopie is also well known for art, with Post Impressionist painters and Surrealist painters living and working in the town. Guided visits of the town are available, starting from Maison de la Fourdonne. Other sites to see are the Musée Rignault, housed in a 15th century building and exhibiting contemporary art. From the gardens and terraces there are exceptional views over the Lot Valley. The Château is open from 1st july - 15th September, with artwork displays. The local museum, Le Musée de la Memoire du Village, has tools and instruments relating to wood turning which was the main industry in the town in the 15th century. Activities nearby include canoeing/kayaking on the river, potholing, mountain biking, walking and rock climbing.