Lot, France travel guide
The Lot department of France is located to the north of the Midi-Pyrenees region, just east of the Dordogne department of Aquitaine.
The Lot department is a land of beautiful landscapes of dramatic gorges, slow moving rivers, and the vineyards of Cahors- highlights included the Upper Dordogne Valley and the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park. The region is dotted with unassuming small towns and villages, unspoiled by the passage of time, and a delight to discover and explore.
Historically (before the French revolution) the department was known as Quercy and you will see the name Quercy referred to in tourist information.
South-east Lot
Along the meandering Lot Valley between Figeac and Cahors you should visit St Cirq Lapopie, a charming village, and the town of Cajarc.
Visit Cahors to see the famous Pont Valentre and a vibrant lively town with much of interest to discover.
Other villages and highlights include of this part of the Lot department include the Gorges at Aujols, Beauregard village, Bouziés, the spectacular setting for Cabrerets, Cajarc, Calvignac, Cenevieres castle, poised over the Lot river, the market town of Limogne and Sauliac-sur-Célé.
South-west Lot
Continue along the Lot Valley to the pretty village of Puy l'Eveque on the River east of Fumel and highly recommended for visiting. Other places of interest along and close to this stretch of the river include Belaye, Luzech, Prayssac and Castelfranc.
Other villages and highlights include Albas, Castelnau-Montratier, Douelle and Montcuq.
North-west Lot
The landscape here has a lot in common with its next-door neighbour - the Dordogne.
Much of the central - northern part of the Lot department around Rocamadour falls within the Causses de Quercy Regional Natural Park with its own special beauty, as the rivers have carved there way through the limestone to create numerous wooded valleys and gorges.
The attractive 'pilgrimage' village at Rocamadour is said to be the second most visited site in France (after Mont-Saint-Michel) - and is one of the key places to visit when you come to the Lot department.
Nearby visit the amazing caves at Gouffre de Padirac - start your underground exploration in a boat, which is great fun!
See also Martel, the medieval town a little to the north, and Gramat - a lively town to the south-east of Rocamadour.
Gourdon and Souillac are towns that deserve a visit to the north-west of the Lot department, and often used as bases for exploring both this region and the eastern Dordogne department.
Other villages and highlights include Caniac village, Catus, Cavagnac, Cazals bastide town, Floirac, Labastide-Murat, Lherm village, the medieval centre of Saint-Céré (and the Grotte de Presques caves), Montvalent village and setting, the Ouysse valley at Calés, Lacave etc and Seniergues. See also Chateau de Bonaguil, on the Lot-et-Garonne border
North-east Lot
In the north-east of the Lot are Carennac, also Loubressac and Autoire (all three 'most beautiful villages') and also the town of Bretenoux.
To the east of the Lot department Figeac is a quaint and interesting small town to visit.
Saint-Céré also has an interesting medieval centre, and the beautiful castle at Montal should also feature on your list of places to visit in the Lot.
Other villages and highlights include the castles at Assier and Aynac, Bretenoux bastide village, Capdenac-le-Haut, Cardaillac (a beautiful village), Espedaillac village, the views from Labastide-du-Haut-Mont, Lacapelle-Marival, Lamativie, the castle at Larroque-Toirac and Marcilhac-sur-Cele.
Visit Lot - tourist information
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Places to visit in Lot, France: a local travel guideUse the map of Lot to see the location of selected places and to continue to explore... Place: |
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See a list of all Lot communes
See also Lot (version Francais)
