Lascabanes - Lauzerte

(S) From the Chapelle Saint-Jean le Froid, head south-west along lovely white tracks through meadows and cereal fields. Continue to the junction with the D37.

(1) First turn left then right onto the D37 to continue in the same direction and reach the D4 in front of the Montcucq waste disposal centre.

(2) Continue along the gravel track that runs to the left of the recycling centre, following the red and white markings of the GR®65.

(3) Turn 90° to head west into the Combe Cave and continue to the hamlet of Le Bousquet.

(4) Please note: here the route does not match the IGN map. Turn right onto the tarmac road.

(5) Turn left to rejoin the original route and the D4. Stay on the gravel path that runs alongside the main road for 350 m until you reach the first crossroads.

(6) Follow the small road on the right (closed to 19-tonne vehicles) and walk across this vast agricultural plateau, passing some mobile phone masts before arriving in the town of Montcuq-en-Quercy-Blanc on the Place du Sol: there are picnic tables on the square and you can buy supplies in the town.

(7) Turn left towards the statue of the Virgin Mary. At the crossroads, head towards Montlauzun along Rue du Pontet. Leave the town via the D28 and continue to the bridge spanning the Ruisseau de Nègue Vieille.

(8) Leave the D28 and continue along the path lined with tall oak trees. Keep going in this direction for about 800 m.

(9) Turn right to rejoin the D28. Please note that the route here has also changed from that shown on the IGN map: it is no longer possible to pass close to Château de Charry. Stay on the D28 until the fork.

(10) Turn right onto the D45, then veer sharply left at a hairpin bend onto Chemin Sous Charry. Continue until you rejoin the original route as shown on the map.

(11) Continue in this direction to the hamlet of Rouillac. Pass in front of the Church of Saint-Pierre de Rouillac and carry on until you reach the Berty lodge.

(12) Turn right onto the road through the fields.

(13) Turn left onto a grassy path, cross the Ruisseau du Tartuguié and continue to the hamlet of Bonal.

(14) Continue straight on to the hamlet of Les Grèzes, which you cross before reaching the D256.

(15) Continue to the right towards Montlauzun, passing through the hamlets of Le Sorbier and Combelle whilst staying on the D256, to reach Montlauzun, which overlooks the Tartuguié and Lendou valleys. Continue to the “Give Way” sign at the junction with the D45.

(16) Turn left towards Saint-Laurent-Lolmie, then, after about 150 m, take a right onto a narrow path that climbs steeply: a rope may help you up if needed. At the top of this hill, you leave the Lot department and enter Tarn-et-Garonne. Continue south-west on the GR®65, along a dirt track running along the ridge, through oak groves and, occasionally, orchards.

(17) At a place called Lespinasse, continue south on a stony path that descends towards the plain: a flight of steps has been built to make the perilous descent easier. Continue down to the hamlet of Montjoie.

(18) Gradually descend towards Lauzerte along grassy paths, between the farmland, and continue to the junction with the D54.

(19) Turn right onto the D54 and continue to the roundabout: refreshments are available at the Intermarché opposite.

(20) Two options:
- if you’re pitching your tent at the campsite, turn right towards Cahors onto the D953. Continue for about 800 m, taking care. At the junction, turn left to reach Le Beauvillage campsite, about a hundred metres on the right.

- If you want to head closer to Lauzerte to camp (route choice), continue straight on towards the medieval town on the D2. Keep to the left of the road on the small footpath and climb gradually towards Lauzerte until you reach the church.

(21) Pass the church on your left and continue to the Crédit Agricole on Place du Faubourg d’Aubrac.

(22) Carry on to the right towards the Tourist Office, Rue d’Auriac on the D81. At the bakery, turn left onto the Passage du Pélerin, a steep descent, to find your campsite in the garden of the L’Abeille Lulu lodge (E).

Provisions available in Montcucq (7) and Lauzerte (20).
(20) Camping Le Beauvillage. Tel: 05 63 29 13 68 Info: https://www.camping-lebeauvillage.com/
As the campsite is some distance from the town centre, I camped in the garden of the L'Abeille Lulu lodge. Just like at the campsite, you have access to showers, toilet facilities and a kitchen, with the option of having dinner and breakfast. Tel: 0687055360 https://www.gitedetapelabeillelulu.fr/
From this stage onwards and for the next few stages, if it rains, you’ll be walking on slippery paths, rutted by farm machinery and rain. The clay soils turn into sticky mud. It’s best to be equipped with good shoes and walking poles.

(7) Montcuq-en-Quercy-Blanc stands on its hilltop in the heart of Quercy Blanc, this sun-drenched region where melons, lavender, sunflowers and grapes grow effortlessly. This little village owes its popularity to its name, which has been making people laugh for decades! The village was brought to the fore by Daniel Prévost in 1976, on the programme Le Petit Rapporteur. It was by making endless puns on its name that the comedian put Montcuq on the map and played a major part in boosting its fame!