France > France travel > Midi-Pyrenees > Lot

Lot, France tourist information

The Lot department of France is located to the north of the Midi-Pyrenees region, just east of the Dordogne department of Aquitaine.

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, and then visit Cahors to see the famous Pont Valentre. 

To the east of the Lot department Figeac is also a quaint and interesting small town to visit.

Pont de Valentre at Cahors

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 clost to this stretch of the river include Belaye, Douelle and Luzech, Prayssac and Castelfranc.

Visit also the medieval villages of Montcuq and Castelnau-Montratier to the south of the Lot valley.

Two other villages also classified as among the 'most beautiful villages in France' in the Lot are found at Autoire and Carennac.

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.

Rocamadour, Lot, France

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.

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.

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.

 

Visit Lot, France - travel information

Map of Lot, France