Three great towns to visit in the Department of Lot, France

The Department of Lot is an area of outstanding natural beauty, consisting of a dramatic landscape populated with old historic towns and villages. Rivers that have through time carved their way into limestone to create wondrous gorges, wooded valleys and hillsides. Vineyards, ancient caves, castles, you have it all in this area, mostly unspoilt by time, ideal for the inquisitive tourist to explore.

Take a look at three especially interesting and characterful towns in the Department of Lot that are waiting to be explored.

Rocamadour

Rocamadour has the distinction of being the second most visited site in France. It gets over a million visitors a year, both tourists and pilgrims, yet only has a population of 600. The story started in 1166, when someone found a preserved hermits’ body. It was claimed that it was Zaccheus – later to be named Saint Amadour, ‘the lover’ – who climbed the tree to see Jesus, and whose wife wiped Christ’s face as he dragged the cross. After apparent miraculous healings, the place soon became a magnet for pilgrims, and even kings who donated money, so that the little rocky village became quite wealthy.

Close to Rocamadour are the caves at Gouffre de Padirac where you can embark on a fascinating underground exploration in a boat.

Cahors 

Cahors is situated at the northern end of the Midi-Pyrenees. Most of Cahors is crowded onto a peninsula in the bend of the River Lot. In this historic town you will find many impressive medieval townhouses and a warren of narrow lanes. The medieval parts date back to the 13th century when the town grew with the influx of merchants and money lenders into the town, who constructed fine houses with arcades. Parts of the original ramparts can still be seen in the north of the town, but its main feature is the famous Pont Valentre Bridge.

Cardaillac

Classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Cardaillac is sectioned into three areas – the original quarter around the medieval fort, the area around the church, and the quarter of Marcadiol and its medieval gardens.

Cardaillac has an interesting walk underneath the cliff on which the whole town is built. You can also climb the Tour de Sanes for panoramic views. Entering the medieval centre you will see stone towers and numerous picturesque homes, many of which are half-timbered.

When you leave the village follow the road below that looks back at the fort from across the valley, it has great views of Cardaillac and its rocky position.

There are so many towns and villages that are a feast to the eye in the Department of Lot– Rocamadour, Cahors and Cardaillac are just three of them.