Payrac–Camy circular and Lahore farm

Starting point: Saint-Pierre Church in Payrac. A few parking spaces available. Alternatively, there is a car park on the D820, 100 metres before the post office, coming from the south (except on Wednesday mornings when the market is on).

(S/E) Walk round the church on the right and take Rue du Château, between two lush gardens. After the castle, turn right and head down towards the wash house (signposted) (public toilets).

(1) After the washhouse and the cross, take the road on the left for 250 m, then carry on straight ahead along the path that runs alongside the cemetery. Beautiful views into the distance and lovely chestnut trees along the way. Continue along this path until you reach the junction with a road (signposted).

(2) Cross the road and continue along the path opposite that leads downhill; it is quite steep and has some deep ruts in places. When you reach the bottom, turn right, then join the road. Follow it to the right as far as the village of Camy (no signposting). See the alternative route in the practical information section.

(3) Go round the church and turn left to join the road above the church; continue uphill along this road and take the^first left, the Chemin du Dahu. Follow this path along the valley floor to a Fork in the road (signposted).

(4) Take the left-hand path (the middle path climbs very steeply, whilst the one on the right leads into the undergrowth), until you reach the D820 (signposted). Caution: very busy road!

(5) Cross the D820 and, after 50 m, on the right, take the path leading off to the left. After 200 m, ignore the path branching off to the left, then continue straight on to the bottom of the valley (signposted).

(6) Walk 30 m to the left along the road and turn left again onto the wide path through the valley (signposted). Continuing along the road as it climbs, the Lahore farm (selling Rocamadour cheese) is 500 m away. On the Chemin de la Combe, ignore a path on your left that climbs steeply towards Payrac and, on your right, a path that climbs up the hillside towards the Lahore farm. Walk past an old watermill and carry on straight ahead. Ignore a path branching off to the right and turn left for 50 m.

(7) Turn left onto a path that crosses the stream (there may be no water in summer) and follow this stony, winding path up through an oak grove, then a chestnut grove. Where the path joins the road, follow it to the left towards the hamlet of Flagel. Continue to the D820.

(8) Turn right onto the pavement along the county road for 200 metres, cross at the pedestrian crossing – taking care – and take Rue du Lavoir opposite. Turn right onto Rue Saint-Louis, then take the^first left to reach the church (S/E).

(2) Alternative: instead of going down the steep path, take the road on the right to the hamlet of Le Colombier, then keep to the left on this road until you reach the village of Camy (signposted).
In Payrac.
A walk that is largely (but not entirely) sheltered from the sun, through woodland
Signposted except between points (2) and (3).
Public toilets at the wash house.
Pizzeria next to the church.
Bakery and Proxi mini-market (fresh produce) on the D820, 200 m from the start of the walk.
Market in the car park, along the D820, 100 m from the post office, on Wednesday mornings.
Café next to the post office.
Pharmacy at the entrance to Payrac, coming from the north.

Visit Payrac Church (beautiful stained-glass windows).
Large village washhouse.
Information boards about local heritage at the wash house and at Payrac Castle.
Opportunity to watch the goats being milked at Lahore Farm (6 pm) and buy Rocamadour and fresh goat’s cheese. Lahore Farm can be reached from the viewpoint (6) by following the road eastwards for 500 metres, or via the path that branches off 100 metres before the viewpoint and crosses the farm (you can also return via this path from the farm. In this case, ask the farmer to show you the way, as there is a fence). This is a very child-friendly visit.