Fontanes (Lot) walks

The Circuit des Cigales is the ideal route for exploring the surroundings of Fontanes and Saint-Cevet, the two pillars of the municipality of Fontanes, which itself was behind the creation of this circuit.

An easy hike starting from Pern, allowing you to discover the rolling landscapes of Quercy Blanc via varied trails with very little tarmac. There is little traffic on the few roads used. The route is half in shade and half in sun, with a risk of slippery trails in wet weather.

Wells, wash houses, cazelles (stone huts), truffle fields, the remains of an old priory and typical Quercy houses are what you will find on this beautiful hike in the countryside near Cahors.

The village of Flaugnac is built on a rocky promontory called a "popie", overlooking the Lupte valley. Its architectural heritage, white stone houses with traditional architecture and hilly surroundings with diverse crops give it an undeniable charm. This route allows you to admire the landscapes of the Quercy Blanc from viewpoints over the valleys while walking through a varied environment (hillsides, hamlets, limestone plateaus).

Wells, wash houses, gariottes (dry stone shepherd's huts), abbey ruins, remains of a fortification and a cluster of old rural houses are the main attractions of this rich and varied walk, which is very typical of the Lot region's heritage.

This easy route with little elevation gain offers two attractions: the chance to discover a rich and varied rural heritage (visit Vaylats and the surrounding hamlets) and a stroll through wild countryside (typical Causse vegetation). The walk begins in a landscape of meadows and fields and continues through dry grasslands and woods.

A lovely ten-kilometre walk around the beautiful village of Escamps, starting along the beautiful iris path, then truffle fields, and finally the dry stream of the Combe de la Valse. Little elevation gain for mainly limestone plateau landscapes.

Along the route, walkers pass through a wide variety of natural environments and landscapes. Intermittent watercourses: the bed of the Lère Morte, visible depending on the season. Former farming areas, evidence of an agricultural past linked in particular to hemp production. Riparian forest and wooded slopes: cool, shady areas dominated by mosses and undergrowth. Downy oak forests: stands adapted to stony, dry soils. Limestone cliffs: rock formations marking the relief of the causse. The route offers a succession of contrasting landscapes: fields, forest, open valley, cliffs, causse.

Route between causse and combes, dry stone walls, undergrowth, typical habitats of the Quercy region.

This circular route connects the villages of Concots and Escamps. It follows the old roads to Puylaroque and Lalbenque from Concots. It is a particularly rich route, with works of art created by local artists on its eastern half. There are also numerous points of interest showcasing the natural and cultural heritage, and two points on the "My Village, My Fossil" route featuring species discovered in the Quercy phosphate mines. Why cheMain? Because the hand of our ancestors on the walls of the Cabrerets cave has been adopted as the emblem of the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park. This hand, coloured red or white, indicates the direction to follow in a clockwise direction around the route. Keep your eyes peeled.

This loop allows you to discover the Causse in all its different aspects: cultivated areas, wooded areas, dry stone walls bordering the plots and the crossing of hamlets with typical Quercy houses.

Cahors... I knew it by name, I often passed by not far from it, but I never stopped there. What a mistake! Cahors is a pretty little medieval town and a city on a human scale where you can do everything on foot. With its famous and sumptuous Pont Valentré bridge and its famous Saint-Étienne cathedral, this town has an incredible ancient and medieval heritage. Old Cahors is also a very attractive place with its secret gardens, half-timbered houses, market halls and market. I visited and discovered Cahors on my second day of rest after 21 days of walking on my way to Santiago de Compostela.

This hike, along cliff-top paths, offers superb views of several meanders of the Lot, which you will cross. Several small locks are used by pleasure boats. The descent to Vers allows you to discover the village and its river of the same name with its port at the confluence with the Lot.

This lovely walk will take you along a variation ofthe GRP® trail that runs alongside the Ruisseau des Sietges (a tributary of the La Lère), the beautiful hamlets of Perrière (restored houses, stone walls, carved calvary and cazelle) and Saint-Symphorien (a former 15th-century priory, cemetery with dry stone enclosures, spring and restored stone basin). Part of the route is through woodland (magnificent boxwood paths) and the return journey is along quiet little roads on the limestone plateau.

This hike takes you above the medieval village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and offers multiple viewpoints for beautiful photos of the village. Moderator's note Old description, GPS or Visorando app useful

Eight-shaped loop through the Cirque de Vènes and the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Remarkable towpath to Bouziès, then return via the Causse and the Chemin de Croix.

Perched on a cliff overlooking a bend in the Lot river, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is an exceptional village that has preserved its medieval architecture. This deliberately shortened stage allows you to take a long tour of the monuments, narrow streets and shops of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie after walking along the towpath on the banks of the Lot. The short detour beyond the village to the Cirque de Vènes viewpoint is well worth the effort.

A beautiful loop along the Lot with a return trip via the plateau.

This walk allows you to discover Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, the River Lot and its towpath, then the limestone plateau above the village. I also suggest a shorter alternative route.

The route alternates between hillsides, valleys, orchards, fields and woods, with panoramic views and typical local farms.

Route linking Leribosc to Belpech, crossing several valleys alternating between woodland and orchards.

Discover the Causse and the beautiful Célé Valley around the superb Pech Merle Cave.

This route will allow you to discover two typical villages of the Causses du Quercy: Cabrerets, a village flanked by the vertiginous cliffs of the Célé, and Orniac, a little gem of the Causses. All this while crossing some very beautiful landscapes: the peatland valley, the beautiful Combe Gelée and the descent to Cabrerets via Bout du Lieu, where you will overlook the Célé river while following theGR® 651, used by pilgrims on their way to Compostela.

This beautiful circular route will allow you to discover both banks of the Célé from the village of Cabrerets. On one side, the Montclar State Forest, planted with Atlas cedars and punctuated by an interesting human and natural heritage: Cuzouls, Lake Saint-Namphaise, cazelles (dry stone huts) and dolmens. On the other bank, Pech-Merle and its oak grove offer beautiful views of the village of Cabrerets and the Lot valley, with the added bonus of a visit to the Pech-Merle caves.

The route leads from Luzech to the Payrols valley via the Crespiat plateau and its caussenardes. The Payrols valley is home to a few geological curiosities that are well worth a detour! The outward and return journeys are along pretty paths offering beautiful panoramic views or, conversely, privacy and tranquillity.

This gentle hike takes you from the small village of Cazals to the Cirque de Bône viewpoint, overlooking the meander of the same name. The paths, often through woodland, lead you here and there to a few hamlets and beautiful dovecotes, some of which are unfortunately in a state of disrepair. The end of the route offers beautiful views of the Aveyron and the village of Brousses perched on its cliff.