River Lot

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 beautiful variety of flora and fauna. Spot the herons, eagles in addition to bees, which profit from the abundant wildflowers and alpine plants of the region.

The River Lot empties into the Garonne and you can cruise up the River Baïse or join the Canal Latéral à la Garonne towards the Canal du Midi or downstream towards Bordeaux.

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.

One of the most spectacular examples of prehistoric art can be found in the underground art galleries in the Pech Merle cave.

Waterways in the region

River Lot, River Garonne, River Baïse, the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, the Canal du Midi 

Places to visit, heading downstream on the River Lot

• Panorama at the Saut de la Mounine
• The old town of Figeac
• Château de Cénevières
• Saint-Cirq Lapopie
• Grotte du Pech-Merle near Saint-Cirq Lapopie
• Belvédère du Bancourel for the view of Saint-Cirq and La Popie
• Cahors
  • Barbacane Saint-Jean
  • Tour du Château du Roi
  • Pont Valentré
  • Cathedrale Saint-Étienne de Cahors
  • Rue Saint-Priest
  • Panorama from Mont Saint-Cyr
• Villeneuve-sur-Lot
  • The old bridge, Pont des Cieutat
  • Place Lafayette
  • Tour de Pujols

On the River Baïse

• Cathedrale Saint-Pierre de Condom
• Château-musée Henri IV at Nérac

Restaurants along the rivers or closeby

• L'Allée des Vignes at Cajarc (* star Michelin)
• Auberge du Sombral at Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
• In Cahors
  • L'Ô à la Bouche
  • Le Balandre, Le Bistro 1911
  • Au Fil des Douceurs
• Le Duèze at Mercuès (* star Michelin)
• Le Vinois at Caillac
• Le Médiéval at Puy l'Evêque
• La Toque Blanche at Poujols
• In Saint-Sylvestre-sur-Lot
  • Le Bistrot du Stelsia
  • Le Jasmin (* star Michelin)
  • Le Bistrot
• Les Rives du Plantie at Le-Temple-Sur-Lot