The three circular walks around Luzech

You can park your car in the large car park on Avenue Henri Pélissié, right next to the motorhome area.

(S/E) Walk past the cemetery, then turn left into the lane directly opposite the small refuse collection point, which runs round the cemetery. At the end of this lane, turn right onto Route de la Plaine. Turn left at the three-way junction and continue for a few dozen metres.

(1) Turn left onto the Sentier de la Pistoule, signposted by a wooden sign. Continue along this footpath, which is circular and curves to the left whilst climbing steadily up to the viewpoint, offering a magnificent view of the valley to the north-west.

(2) Carry on a little further to discover the cross, which stands 170 metres above Luzech. Then begin the descent, marked by numerous crosses, down to the town centre.

(3) Cross the Place du Canal diagonally to the left to join the Grand Rue de la Ville.

(4) Look out for the start of Rue de la Citadelle on your right – you’ll take this after the second circular route – and carry on straight ahead. Once at the end of the street, turn left onto the departmental road, also known as Quai Émile Gironde.

(5) Turn right and continue along the River Lot as far as Saint-Marc.

(6) Take a small path on your right which leads back towards Luzech: this is an old railway line. Carry on to the tunnel.

(7) Go through the tunnel and then cross the bridge over the River Lot.

(8) Carry on straight ahead until you reach a small junction at the start of the Chemin du Peyrou.

(9) Stay on the path on the right to complete a circular route via the Chemin des Vignes, which you take on the right at the small junction. Then, at the T-junction, take the Route de Pouzinet on the right to pass under the bridge.

(10) Take the path on the left to return to the banks of the Lot, rejoining the Route de Pouzinet. Turn left.

(8) Go under the bridge and continue to the junction with the D8 (Avenue de l’Auxerrois). Turn right to cross the bridge and, at the town hall, turn right onto Rue de la Citadelle, which takes you back to the Grand Rue de la Ville.

(4) Turn right to rejoin a junction you passed earlier. Do not turn left towards the Lot, but carry on straight ahead to follow the Côte de l’Impernal for about 1 km. This section is narrow and shared with other road users. Take care!

(12) Turn right onto the Route de l’Impernal and carry on until the second bend.

(13) The botanical trail opens up on your left. Take this path. Continue along the main path until you reach the junction with the Route du Plateau at Lamière.

(14) Turn right and continue along the road for about half a kilometre.

(15) Take the hairpin bend to the right to join a hiking trail. Walk along the ridge whilst admiring the scenery. Then, leave the ridge on your right to explore the archaeological site of the Oppidum de l’Impernal, which bears witness to a rich history featuring the iconic Alexander the Great (4th century BC).

(16) Continue south towards the car park and the Impernal orientation table.

(17) Take in the view before beginning the descent – which is steep in places – towards the Tower of Luzech. Go down the steps to rejoin the Grand Rue de la Ville for the third time, this time heading down it by turning left.

(4) Carry on straight ahead. Cross the Place du Canal diagonally to the right to join the Rue des Anglais. At the end of the street, a flight of steps leads down to the Avenue Henri Pélissié and to the car park on the left (S/E).

At this site, you can book a guided tour of the Impernal Archaeological Site for just a few euros. The contact details are displayed on information boards at the site itself.