The Célé Valley in 7 stages

de fr

The Célé Valley is one of several routes on the Way of St James. Some say it is one of the most beautiful.

From Faycelles, near Figeac, to Cahors, via Espagnac, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Vers, this 7-stage hike takes its time around the villages of the Célé and then the Lot. It’s the perfect way to appreciate the monuments, landscapes and people of this very welcoming region.
Don’t hesitate: it’s beautiful, friendly and welcoming.
Return to the starting point by SNCF bus.

Details

n°11492011
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 66.25 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 7,887 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 8,540 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,161 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 371 ft

Photos

Ruelles à Saint-Cirq
Saint Cirq à partir de l'entrée fortifiée du village
L'église médiévale de Saint Cirq
Le Lot vu de Saint-Cirq

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Faycelles - Espagnac

    Faycelles – Espagnac

    ↔11.77 mi ↗492 ft ↘958 ft
    From the top of the Faycelles plateau, between the Lot and the Célé rivers, the route leads to the starting point ofthe GR®651for aninitial descent into the Célé valley. Medieval villages such as Faycelles, Corn and Espagnac, ancient stone castles, churches, chapels and priories: you’re definitely on a route of the Way of St James. The most beautiful one, they say. The route is very shaded and benefits from the coolness of the Célé valley.
    View the route
  2. 2

    Espagnac - Marcilhac-sur-Célé

    ↔9.80 mi ↗1,929 ft ↘1,936 ft
    Cette 2e étape sur le GR®651 traverse des lieux aux vieilles pierres : Prieuré de Espagnac, Château des Anglais de Saint-Sulpice, maisons troglodytes, caselles de Marcilhac. C'est aussi l'opportunité de vues magnifiques sur la vallée du Célé à partir du sentier en balcon sur le plateau. Une étape qui permet aussi de découvrir le causse et son maillage de murets de pierres, témoins d'une activité agricole intense dans le passé.
    View the route
  3. 3

    Marcilhac - Les Granges

    ↔8.58 mi ↗1,286 ft ↘1,299 ft
    Cette 3e étape nous emmène sur le Plateau des Causses dans un dédale de murets de pierres. Le vieux Sauliac nous offre une perspective impressionnante sur le Célé, avec ses maisons en balcon au bord de la falaise. Une descente vers Les Granges permet de réaliser une étape courte avant Bouziès.
    View the route
  4. 4

    Les Granges - Bouziès

    ↔8.62 mi ↗1,394 ft ↘1,447 ft
    Une 4e étape qui, du Plateau des Causses, nous fait descendre les méandres du Célé. D'abord à Cabrerets où le village tout en longueur, à l'étroit entre falaise et rivière, nous emmène jusqu'au château en surplomb. Ensuite elle nous laisse au pied de la falaise à Bouziès, impressionnante par son à pic de presque 150 m. Cette petite randonnée laisse largement la possibilité d'un retour dans le temps de 29000 années, par une visite au site préhistorique de Pech Merle sur le circuit.
    View the route
  5. 5
    Bouziès - Saint-Cirq-Lapopie - Bouziès

    Bouziès - Saint-Cirq-Lapopie - Bouziès

    ↔6.22 mi ↗738 ft ↘745 ft
    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.
    View the route
  6. 6

    Bouzies - Vers

    ↔10.78 mi ↗1,476 ft ↘1,486 ft
    Pour cette étape, on oublie le Célé pour suivre la vallée du Lot. Le chemin serpente à l'ombre des forêts de chênes au Sud du Lot. Comme attendu, de nombreuses croix, caselles, maisons anciennes jalonnent cette voie vers Compostelle. À la confluence du Vers et du Lot : Vers. C'est un très joli village où il fait bon se reposer et se restaurer quelques moments.
    View the route
  7. E

    Vers - Cahors

    ↔10.42 mi ↗620 ft ↘666 ft
    Cette dernière étape du chemin nous ramène après un bon parcours sur la rive gauche du Lot à Cahors.La balade traverse une immense forêt de chênes pour finir par longer, à l'ombre des arbres, la plaine sur la rive gauche du Lot, riche de ses nombreuses parcelles de cultures horticoles. Cahors et sa vieille ville, sa cathédrale, ses ruelles moyenâgeuses pavées, ses boutiques colorées, de quoi passer quelques heures et quelques siècles en arrière.
    View the route

Notes

All tracks were recorded in the field in June 2021.
Start and stages:
Starting from Faycelles allows you to return directly by the SNCF/LIO bus from Bouziès, Vers, or Cahors. Of course, other starting points are possible.
Similarly, the break at each stage can be adjusted according to walking pace and accommodation availability.
Accommodation:
A fairly comprehensive list of available accommodation is provided on the Lot department website.
Similarly, the chemindecompostelle.com website is very useful.
It is advisable to book in advance.
Credit cards are not always accepted. Please ensure you have an alternative method of payment.
Transport:
For the return journey, a daily SNCF bus runs from Cahors to Figeac / Faycelles. (€2 per person in June 2021).
The LIO transport website (Occitanie region) has all the information you need.
In the Greater Cahors area, buses are free. The Evidence app helps you locate stops and timetables. Very handy.
Luggage porter services:
La Malle Postale and Transports Claudine appear to be the two main providers on this section of the GR®®.
Internet, 4G, dead zones:
There are areas with no mobile coverage on certain sections of the route. If you use Visorando and, more generally, your phone and GPS for navigation, it is essential to download your maps at the start of each stage.
Furthermore, Wi-Fi is not always reliable in accommodation. You often have to use your phone as a hotspot.
So be careful and plan ahead.

Worth a visit

Along the route:
Espagnac, Marcilhac, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Vers, Cahors
Pech-Merle Cave.
Off the route:
Figeac, Rocamadour, etc.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
dp.savary
dp.savary

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike from Béduer to Bouzies-St Cirq. The stages are well balanced, allowing you to enjoy the interesting points along the route. The welcome at the guesthouses was very warm.
You don't really follow the Célé, but rather walk on the plateau or halfway up the slope. In fact, some sections of the GR on the road are a little dangerous, with no space between the road and the parapet. But this is unavoidable and quite rare.

Machine-translated

Brandalise
Brandalise

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

5-day tour from Beduer
We enjoyed the landscapes with lots of flowers and the great welcome at all the gîtes with their friendly atmosphere.

Machine-translated

Brandalise
Brandalise

5-day route from Beduer

Machine-translated

Brandalise
Brandalise

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful scenery, charming old villages and very welcoming lodges. The only issue was the approach to Cahors, with a path that was poorly maintained, narrow and running close to the water. It’s a shame they don’t offer the cycle route from Arcambal.

Machine-translated

PierreMLS
PierreMLS
• Edited:

Hello Jean,
As I don’t ride an e-MTB, I find it difficult to judge what is and isn’t feasible. The second difficulty is that I rode this route in June 2021 and may have forgotten some details.
I’d say that, overall, this route seems feasible on an e-MTB, provided the following conditions are met:

  • Choose the stage points based on the bikes’ range (carefully check the elevation profiles of the stages, estimate battery life based on the load on the bike, etc.)
  • For safety’s sake, be prepared to dismount on certain short sections,

Ideally, you’ll need a GPS, as I imagine it’s easier to miss a landmark when cycling.

Overall, like most GR routes, the paths are ‘cycle-friendly’. I would highlight just one section on the ‘Bouziès – Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – Bouziès’ stage, between points 3 and 4 (the climb to the village), where you will absolutely need to find a detour (even if it’s just via the road). Similarly, on this stage, after point 1 on the way there, there is a 1km stretch of towpath along the banks of the Lot carved into the rock, height: approx. 2m (see photo in the description). It’s flat but you’ll need to duck your head, or get off and walk. You can find a way back via the ridges through the woodland.

A few stage-by-stage notes:

  • Faycelles – Espagnac: Just after point 2 in Beduer, you leave the road and head down to the right: steep and slippery in wet weather.
  • Espagnac – Marcilhac-sur-Célé – after point 1, the ledge near the “Château des Anglais” requires your full attention, and you may even need to walk a short distance. Also take care on the descent upon arrival at Saint Sulpice. The descent to Marcillac is also quite steep and stony.
  • Marcilhac - Les Granges - Take care on the descent before point 2. Otherwise, it’s fine. There’s no need to go down to Les Granges (it’s a round trip for accommodation)
  • Les Granges - Bouziès - Take care on the descent around point 4. The climb after point 5 towards the Grotte de Pech-Merle is on a hillside and stony. If you find it difficult, there is an easy bypass via the road.
  • Bouzies – Vers – No particular points of note. (If your budget allows, I recommend accommodation and dining at La Truite Dorée).
  • Vers - Cahors - Just before point 2, you can bypass the climb through the woods (in a straight line) by continuing along the D49b

But I recommend this route, which passes through some lovely villages. Beautiful paths along the cliff edge and through the forest. Cahors and Figeac are also worth a visit. Book your accommodation in advance!
Enjoy the ride – and if you do it, please feel free to comment on the guide.
--Pierre

Machine-translated

colibri84
colibri84

Hello, I’d like to know if this route is suitable for an e-MTB?
It looks brilliant and I’d like to include it in an upcoming multi-day mountain biking trip in the Lot.
Thank you for your reply
Regards
Jean

Machine-translated

pierre.chemineau
pierre.chemineau

Just a hiking plan for October.
Not tried yet

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Faycelles – Espagnac

Visorando Member
Faycelles - Espagnac
↔11.77 mi ↗+492 ft ↘-958 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Faycelles (Lot)
From the top of the Faycelles plateau, between the Lot and the Célé rivers, the route leads to the starting point ofthe GR®651for aninitial descent into the Célé valley. Medieval villages such as Faycelles, Corn and Espagnac, ancient stone castles, churches, chapels and priories: you’re definitely on a route of the Way of St James. The most beautiful one, they say. The route is very shaded and benefits from the coolness of the Célé valley.

Walking Figeac - Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie

Visorando Member
Figeac - Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie
↔15.81 mi ↗+1,227 ft ↘-1,316 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Figeac (Lot)
Twenty-seventh stage of the Camino de Santiago. For this stage, you leave theGR®65to follow a charming alternative route that will take you off the beaten track and allow you to discover unspoilt nature with breathtaking scenery. Just before the charming little village of Béduer, you leave theGR® 65 to take the Célé route on theGR® 651. You will pass through the villages of Boussac and Corn, with their old houses typical of the Quercy region and their troglodyte caves. Then, nestled in the bend of the Célé, you’ll discover Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie, two authentic villages merged into one. It must be said, the magnificent priory and its exceptional bell tower are worth the detour in their own right. It’s not without reason that the place is called Val Paradis.

Walking Larroque-Toirac and Pech de Bourrou viewpoint

Visorando Member
Belvédère de Larroque-Toirac et Pech de Bourrou
↔3.78 mi ↗+738 ft ↘-715 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Larroque-Toirac (Lot)
A lovely walk in the hills above Larroque-Toirac, offering a different perspective on the Lot valley. Viewpoints on the cliff edge overlooking the Lot valley and a walk on the limestone plateau. A short hike through woodland and open spaces. Suitable footwear is recommended.

Walking From Camp de la Borie to Mas de Renayac

Visorando Member
Du Camp de la Borie au Mas de Renayac
↔4.88 mi ↗+240 ft ↘-240 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Foissac (Aveyron)
An easy family walk on the Causse plateau between Foissac and the cliffs of the Lot Valley. At the recently restored Mas de Renayac, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the Lot Valley, with Larroque-Toirac Castle opposite.

Walking From Foissac to Vernet-le-Bas

Visorando Member
De Foissac à Vernet-le-Bas
↔4.67 mi ↗+564 ft ↘-564 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Foissac (Aveyron)
A very scenic route that follows an old path once used by locals to link Foissac to Vernet-le-Bas. This walk alternates between sections through woodland and open areas offering lovely views of the valley. A route with a bit of an elevation gain but not very difficult on foot. It can also be done by mountain bike.

Walking Cavarrot and Monteil mills from Boussac

Visorando Member
Moulin de Cavarrot et Monteil depuis Boussac
↔5.06 mi ↗+653 ft ↘-643 ft ◔2h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Boussac (Lot) (Lot)
A route that will allow you to discover the landscapes of the Gorges du Célé, the small shaded paths on the Causse and the meadows along the river. It follows small roads and public paths that are often inaccessible to motor vehicles.

Walking Causse de Gelle

Visorando Member
↔4.80 mi ↗+236 ft ↘-249 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Causse-et-Diège (Aveyron)
A short, easy walk on the Causse de Gelle plateau, very pleasant with beautiful views of the Diège valley.

Walking Lunan and Capdenac le Haut circular

Visorando Member
Boucle de Lunan et Capdenac le Haut
↔4.62 mi ↗+663 ft ↘-646 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lunan (Lot)
This circular route is a combination of two referenced routes: the Lunan route at the beginning and end, and the Capdenac route in the middle. This route is not particularly difficult and offers superb views of the Lot valley and the town of Capdenac-Gare, as well as allowing you to visit the medieval town of Capdenac le Haut.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.