The gariottes of Théminettes

A short walk starting from the village of Théminettes in the heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park. You will discover beautiful dry stone huts, imposing low walls, the famous Francès sinkhole (after an eventful underground journey, its waters reappear at Cabouy, near Rocamadour, before flowing into the Dordogne at Lacave) and the village of Théminettes.

Details

6919234
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 42 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 35 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 361 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 316 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the side of the D38 at the foot of the stone cross (Couderc).

(S/E) Head towards the crossroads, follow the signs on the left for Les Teulières and continue along the tarmac road. At the end, turn left. After the pile of wood on the right, take the small path on the left until you reach a crossroads (elevation 350).

(1) Turn right. Further on, on your right, you will see a wooden signpost: turn left. At the end of the road, turn left again. Along the road on your right, you will see beautiful dry stone huts or gariottes.

(2) At the large T-junction, turn right. There will be a long straight stretch lined with beautiful low walls. At the end, at an elevation of 350 metres, turn left at the wooden sign for Théminettes. You will come to another crossroads with a signpost: turn right towards Saint-Simon - La Coste. Walk along the undergrowth until you reach the departmental road. Cross carefully and continue straight ahead.

(3) Take thesecond path on the left that goes downhill: you should have a beautiful view of the village of Théminettes. Pass by the ruins and arrive at the foot of the stream. Before the bridge, don't hesitate to walk past the ruins of the mill, follow the channel and you will arrive at the famous Francès waterfall.

(4) Retrace your steps, cross the bridge and take the first path on your right, which leads to a small road in the village.

(5) Continue to the right and head towards the village. Take the first lane on the left and go straight ahead. At the end of the road, opposite you, there will be a beautiful house with a tower: turn right and then left at the fork immediately after. Walk along the houses and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 336 m - Parking is available along the D38.
  2. 1 : km 1.04 - alt. 351 m - Crossroads, on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.14 - alt. 356 m - Large crossroads, on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 355 m - Path on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.49 - alt. 316 m - Perte du Francès
  6. 5 : km 3.73 - alt. 336 m - Access to the village
  7. S/E : km 4.27 - alt. 336 m - Parking is available along the D38.

Worth a visit

150 m before the signpost after (1), on your left, there is a small path that starts at the corner of a low wall. Take it and you will discover a beautiful cabin.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 13098660

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were 2 retired people aged 67, including an occasional walker. We really enjoyed the diversity of the landscapes: discovering the cazelles, the low walls, the wild orchids, the Francès.small easy loop.a little over 2 hours with stops to take time to see! thanks to the inventor

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xNouchka
xNouchka

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk among dry stone walls, enjoying birdsong and the mild spring weather. The route is not difficult.

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Mamienad
Mamienad

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pretty route with paths lined with low stone walls. These charming gariottes (stone huts) and the pleasant surprise of discovering a rare square one.
The village is truly beautiful, with tastefully restored houses. The heritage of the Lot region is beautifully showcased.

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Wampas
Wampas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk around this village, with two beautiful gariottes (or caselles...), it's varied, with the whole causse condensed into 5 km.
The Frances waterfall is perfect for the dog to have a swim...

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hilaire.vachon
hilaire.vachon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were able to follow the route easily thanks to GPS. The paths are very well maintained, but there are few signs to clearly indicate changes in direction. The walk is very pleasant and ideal with young children. The end of this short hike becomes interesting with the ruins of the mill and the stream that disappears.

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marcopierre
marcopierre

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

HELLO,
Firstly, thank you for your website and the services you provide to hikers and walkers.
As for the "Gariottes de Théminettes" walk, it is certainly pleasant, but without a single Gariotte in sight, invisible, collapsed, or hidden by vegetation? It would be better to guide users not to rely on temporary features such as piles of wood, which are no longer there... This walk is interesting in that it allows you to observe the rural heritage of the Causse, which is sadly in a state of disuse and abandonment, with its dry stone walls, most of which have collapsed, and its gariottes or cazelles, which have often collapsed. You can imagine the farming and livestock life of yesteryear.
Well done on your website.

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Bruno Bravoure
Bruno Bravoure

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

6 out of 10

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Martine Desicy
Martine Desicy

Hike planned for September 2022

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