Cirque de Vènes walks

Thirtieth stage of the Way of St James. On this stage, you leave Saint-Cirq-Lapopie via the magnificent towpath and head for Bouziès. You leave theGR®651to follow theGR®36. You climb back up onto the Causse plateau, offering beautiful views of the Lot valley, before descending to Arcambal and its medieval castle. You then follow the tranquil course of the Lot to Cahors.

The twenty-ninth stage of the Way of St James. This beautiful stage begins with another climb, leading to the castle-museum of Cuzals with views over the Causses and the Célé valley, before reaching the heights of Cabrerets. The village nestles along the Célé and is dominated by its very impressive castle. This is followed by a visit to the Pech Merle cave, before discovering some of the stage’s most beautiful panoramas, with a lovely view from the Rochecourbe cliff. A lovely descent takes you away from the Célé to reach the Lot, near Bouziès, where the GR®651 ends. It is here that I suggest a detour from the Way of St James, heading upstream towards Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, a fantastic hilltop town and a must-see in the department. Passing through an incredible spot, you’ll have the chance to discover the towpath, a trail carved into the rock and originally used for horses to pass through.

The twenty-eighth stage of the Camino de Santiago. A truly beautiful stage that winds through the Célé Valley. As you follow the river, the rocky cliffs open up to reveal their dark caves, pretty villages, cave dwellings and mills. The Célé Valley undulates along a route that is both wild and poetic, and is sure to fill you with wonder!

The thirty-first stage of the Way of St James. An easy stage with a slight incline from Cahors and a lovely climb at the start. You will cross the magnificent Pont Valentré to arrive, 23 km further on, at Labastide-Marnhac, a charming little town in the Lot department where white stone houses with flower-bedecked façades line both sides of the main street. The route continues gently to Lascabanes, a picturesque little village with its row of houses typical of the small farmers of yesteryear.

Thissecond stage on theGR®651takes you through places with ancient stone buildings: the Priory of Espagnac, the Château des Anglais in Saint-Sulpice, troglodyte houses and the caselles of Marcilhac. It also offers magnificent views of the Célé valley from the balcony-like path on the plateau. This stage also allows you to explore the causse and its network of low stone walls, evidence of the region’s once-thriving agricultural past.