ACTIVITIES

The Lot, The Dordogne "a thousand and one wonders"

Spotlight on the most beautiful villages of the Lot

There are six of them. Six villages that have won the coveted title of “Most Beautiful Villages of France” (Carennac, Loubressac, Autoire, St Cirq Lapopie, Capdenac le Haut, and Cardaillac). Because their brown tile roofs, ochre stones, sculpted windows, and square dovecotes give them exceptional character, these villages alone embody the spirit of the Lot. Many others are worth the detour, and although they are all different, their charm is undeniably their common trait.

Of course, the list is endless, or nearly so. The Périgord is so vast and dense that there are many walks to be taken around it. Apparently, there are 1,001 castles! But only a few are open to the public. Gardens, caves, prehistory, as well as rivers, forests, and old stone—everything can be discovered near and far… Not forgetting the gastronomy, with foie gras, confits, duck breasts, porcini mushrooms, truffles, walnuts, Bergerac and Monbazillac wines… Château de Fénélon – Château de Montfort – the village of Domme – the town of Sarlat – Marqueyssac Gardens – Castelnaud Fortress – Le Bugue – La Roque St Christophe – Château des Milandes – Château de Puymartin – Lascaux II caves – La Roque St Christophe – The hundred mammoth caves – Le Thot: animal park – The Château de Hautefort –

Must-see places

The Padirac Chasm, located 8 km from Rocamadour, is the highest cave in France and one of the most fascinating to explore in Europe.

The Valentré Bridge, a remarkable example of medieval architecture, is classified as a Historic Monument and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998.

St Cirq Lapopie is an eternal jewel where time seems to slip by without leaving a trace. Straight out of the Middle Ages, discover this village—partly classified as a Historic Monument—on foot, to soak up the nobility of its architecture and the elegance of its arcades, staircases, and fortified gates…

Sarlat, with its preserved sector and architectural heritage, offers every visitor an exceptional journey through time. Numerous shops nestled in medieval houses contribute to the charm of the narrow streets. The buildings with ancient facades, protected by stone slab roofs, retain their authenticity.

Outdoors for active holidays

Leisure, relaxation, swimming

The Lot is ideal for beautiful bike rides! With family or friends, discover numerous trails and superb landscapes. For those who are less athletic but eager for historical or heritage discoveries, let yourself be guided by a small train, horse-drawn carriage, or boat, on a cruise along the Lot or the Dordogne.

In the Lot and Dordogne, you can discover remarkable natural areas. There are over 600 km of rivers for canoeing, and more than 7,000 km of marked trails for all types of hiking (walking, horse riding, cycling). The gentleness of a “gabare” barge trip on the river or the magic of a hot-air balloon ride at dawn. Not forgetting unusual activities like stand-up paddleboarding, cable water skiing, or via ferrata for an adrenaline rush.

6 km from Milhac, the canoe base at Groléjac is ideally located at the end of the Dordogne. They offer you the opportunity to discover the most interesting tourist attractions by canoe.

At the “Lac Vert” located near Catus, 7 km from Thédirac, many activities are available: supervised swimming, pedal boats, canoeing, tennis, a playground, hiking… Its 7 hectares of water come from the Vert River, which gave it its name.

In Gourdon, the “Ecoute s’il pleut” lake features an artificial beach and a picnic area with tables, benches, and a barbecue. Refreshments (in summer), a fishing lake (with a pier for people with reduced mobility), and picnic tables. Direct access to cycle paths and a marked walking trail, parking, and a fishing school.

WHERE TO SWIM IN THE LOT? follow this link https://syded-lot.fr/eau/eaux-naturelles/ou-se-baigner-dans-le-lot

Are you a thrill-seeker?

Want to reach the sky? Board a hot-air balloon and soar peacefully in search of tranquility. If you are a true driver, try karting and put your foot down, whether you are competitive or just want to have fun. For pilots, try a microlight flight experience or paramotoring and discover the superb landscapes of the Lot and its vineyards. Have you ever dreamed of taking the plunge? Go ahead and try a parachute jump—breathtaking views guaranteed.

Gastronomy

Cahors

Cahors, a must all year round; on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the market is held at the doors of Saint-Étienne Cathedral. Here, everything whets your appetite: Rocamadour cheese, Périgord walnuts, foie gras, Quercy melon, and Cahors wine.

Cahors is indeed on the edge of the vineyard that has borne its name since the time of Francis I. The local historical region of Malbec, with the main vines of the appellation, offers many estates to visit with in-store tastings!