Around Saint Cirq-Lapopie

Culture and sightseeing

 

Other Great Tourist Sites in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

• Cahors: the principal town of Lot is an ode to the quality of life in the Southwest.  www.holidays-cahors.co.uk

• Figeac : an extremely rich heritage that is well preserved and still very much alive.  www.tourisme-figeac.com

• Najac / Villefranche de Rouergue : these two magnificent 'bastide' towns 22 km apart in the upper Aveyron Gorge are definitely worth a visit.   www.tourisme-villefranche-najac.com

• Rocamadour, the famous 'vertical village' clinging to the rock face.   www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk

Villages

• Calvignac : a character village that sticks up like a lion's mane on a rocky spur from where there is an amazing view of the Lot Valley.

• Cajarc : this pleasant town on the banks of the Lot, with its historical districts and plane trees typical of the South of France, is the birthplace of the author Françoise Sagan.

• Marcilhac-sur-Célé : a village of character with dark plum-coloured rooftops and narrow back streets huddled around its Benedictine abbey. The Célé riverside here is very pleasant.

Markets

• Limogne en Quercy truffle market: one of the bastions of the Quercy black truffle. From December to mid-March (on Fridays at 10.30am) and from mid-June to mid-August (on Sundays at 10.30am).

Châteaux

• Château de Cénevières : this superb Renaissance château, the seat of the Braquilanges family, dominates the river. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 31 27 33 – www.chateau-cenevieres.com

• Château de Larroque-Toirac : clinging to the cliff top, this château features powerful architecture that has endured the centuries. Tel. +33 (0)6 12 37 48 39 - www.tourisme-lot.com

Museums

• Musée Départemental de Cuzals, Sauliac-sur-Célé : a former hamlet that has been transformed into a living museum of peasant life in the Quercy. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 31 36 43 – www.tourisme-lot.com

• Musée de l’Insolite, Liauzu : a little museum packed with the weird and wonderful creations of Bertrand Chenu. www.museedelinsolite.com

• Maison des Arts Georges Pompidou, Cajarc : one of the region's main centres for contemporary art. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 40 78 19 – www.magp.fr

Curiosities

• The Château des Anglais, Bouziès : set into the cliff face above the road (D662) is this fortified cave, which popular tradition has dubbed the 'Château des Anglais'. 
• The Ganil towpath, Bouziès : a one-kilometre-long notch cut into the rock at the base of the cliff in the 19th century. Quite simply amazing! Accessible on foot. 

• Vieux Sauliac : above Sauliac-sur-Célé, a footpath runs up the rock face to the touching remains of the medieval village of Sauliac. Magnificent view of the Célé Valley.

Outdoor activities

Rambling

• 'Le Chemin des Brigands' : an informative historical trail of 4 or 9 km, which you follow with an audioguide. Information: Saint Cirq-Lapopie Tourist Office – Tel. +33 (0)5 65 31 31 31.

Swimming

• Swimming in the Lot : a large area of wooded meadow and a crescent of sand line this swimming area (lifeguard on duty in July/August).

Boating and canoeing

• Canoeing on the Lot and Célé : various descents are possible, from 4 to 20 km, perfect for beginners or a family canoeing trip. For details of canoe hire outlets go to www.tourisme-lot.com

• Boating on the Lot : at Bouziès marina you can hire a lighter (no permit required) or board a pleasure boat for a cruise through breathtaking scenery. Information at www.tourisme-lot.com 

Sites of outstanding natural beauty

• Pech Merle Cave, Cabrerets : in a series of 7 magnificent 'rooms', this is one of the most beautiful decorated cave systems in the South of France. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 31 27 05 – www.pechmerle.com

• Phosphatières du Cloup d’Aural, Bach : protected by a quasi-tropical jungle, these open pits where phosphates were once mined have given up a number of interesting fossils. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 20 06 72 – www.phosphatieres.com

Fairs and festivals

• La Fête du Safran, Cajarc: celebrating the local industry around the growing of saffron, the little flower whose stigmas are used as a spice. In October.
• Africajarc, Cajarc: a celebration of the many and varied African cultures. In July.

• Cahors Blues Festival, Cahors : France's oldest blues festival, with a national reputation. Several free concerts. In July.