Deriving its name from the beautiful River Lot, this department, in the south west of France, was a part of the former province of Quercy.
With its breath-taking scenery and spectacular limestone cliffs, the Lot valley boasts a wonderful variety of flora and fauna.
Herons, eagles and kingfishers can all be seen in addition to bees, which profit from the abundant wild flowers and alpine plants of the region.
Perched on a cliff above the River Lot, the 7th century stone village of Saint-Cirq Lapopie is touted as one of the most important sites in the area with 13 listed historic buildings.
In a U-shaped bend of the river, the capital of the department, Cahors, with cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and half-timbered houses, is famous for its fortified stone-arched Valentré Bridge and its Cathedral, Saint-Étienne de Cahors.
Both the bridge and the cathedral are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Discover the museum in the medieval town of Figeac where Jean-François Champollion, who deciphered the hieroglyphics on the Rosetta Stone, was born.
High above the river and dating from the 13th century, the castle of Cénevières was built as a defensive fort.
Added to this, one of the most spectacular examples of prehistoric art can be found in the underground art galleries in the Pech Merle cave.
