Around Cahors

Culture and sightseeing 

Villages

30 minutes away:

• In the Lot Valley west of Cahors, visit the medieval towns of Luzech (former consul's residence, site of the oppidum of Impernal) and Puy Lévêque (fine old houses, the Chapelle des Pénitents Bleus, the former port on the banks of the Lot).

20 minutes away:

• On the limestone causse plateau above Cahors, see Lalbenque (capital of the Quercy black truffle) and also the little-known and gorgeous villages of Aujols and Laburgade (the modest rural heritage typical of the causse: wash houses, wells and the little round dry-stone cazelle huts).

Vineyards

From Cahors :

• Cahors Vineyards Circuit. Total length: around 80 km. You follow the meanders of the Lot and ridge-top roads offering magnificent panoramic views over the vineyards. The route sheet can be downloaded from www.tourisme-lot.com

Museums

40 minutes away:

• Musée Zadkine in the village of Les Arques. A museum-cum-studio dedicated to Ossip Zadkine, one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century, who came to live in Lot in the 1930s.
  Tel. +33 (0)5 65 22 83 37 – www.tourisme-lot.com

30 minutes away:

• Ichnospace in Luzech: a quirky little museum of the many fossilised footprints and remains of dinosaurs found in Lot.
  Tel. +33 (0)5 65 20 17 27 – www.tourisme-lot.com

Know-how

40 minutes away:

• Manufacture Virebent in Puy Lévêque: a porcelain manufactory established in 1924 that today works with designers such as Vincent Collin and Christian Tortu. Museum and shop.
  Tel. +33 (0)5 65 36 46 31.

Other Top Tourist Destinations in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

35 minutes away :

• Saint Cirq-Lapopie, a gem officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France, on a clifftop overlooking the River Lot.
  

55 minutes away :

• Rocamadour, the 'vertical village' clinging to the rock face.

1 hour 3 minutes away :

• Moissac, a staging post on St James's Way to Santiago de Compostela and one of France's important centres of Romanesque art.

1 hour 5 minutes away :

• Villefranche de Rouergue / Najac: the two lovely 'bastide' towns of Villefranche de Rouergue and Najac, 22 km apart in the upper Aveyron Gorge, are definitely worth a visit.

Outdoor excursions

Walking

25 minutes away :

• « Le chemin des Prieurs » in Catus. A shady walking circuit exploring the countryside of the Vert Valley north of Cahors. 8 km. Easy. The route sheet can be downloaded from www.tourisme-lot.com

Swimming

35 minutes away :

• Swimming area with facilities in the River Lot below Saint Cirq-Lapopie, with a lifeguard on duty in July/August.

Gardens

30 minutes away :

• Le Jardin des Sens, in Castelfranc: a charming medieval-themed garden created by a local association in this little 'bastide' village on the banks of the Lot.
  Tél. 05 65 36 22 93.

Viewpoints

10 minutes away :

• Mont Saint Cyr: a superb panorama over the town of Cahors nestling inside a broad loop in the River Lot. Also accessible on foot: in Cahors, from the end of the Pont Louis Philippe, take the footpath that climbs to Mont Saint Cyr (1½ hours there and back).

35 minutes away :

• Belaye : from this village on a promontory there is a panoramic view of the Cahors AOC vineyards and the Lot Valley.

Fairs and festivals

40 minutes away :

• Rencontres cinéma de Gindou. A film festival very popular for its independent approach and relaxed and friendly atmosphere. In August.
  www.gindoucinema.org