Sauliac-sur-Célé – Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

(D) From the beach, carefully cross the D41 and follow the small grassy path up to the street called Les Fargues. Head towards the village, then turn left to climb up to Vieux Sauliac and rejoin the GR®651.
(1) Cross through Vieux Sauliac and continue along the cliff-top path. Walk past the ruins of a castle, from where you can see Géniez Castle and the Notre-Dame du Roc-Troucat chapel on the opposite bank. Continue to the place known as Combe Cave.
(2) Head left onto the wider path to cross vast pastures dotted with sheep before arriving near the Cuzals Ecomuseum.
(3) Continue southwards along the hairpin bend on the gently sloping tarmac path.
(4) Turn right onto the undulating path and continue to the crossroads.
(5) Turn right onto the GR®651 and continue until you reach the D40.
(6) Cross the D40 and continue straight on towards Espinières. Walk through the hamlet and continue to the place known as Pech de Fomot.
(7) Turn left and head towards the top of the Rochecourbe cliffs, with a panoramic view of the village of Cabrerets, before descending to reach the Célé at a place called Le Bout du Lieu and the D41.
(8) Head right towards Cabrerets, taking great care on the D41. Stay on the road between the Célé on your left and the cliff on your right, lined with pretty cave dwellings. Pass the Pont de Mongirou and turn right into the first small street. Follow the red and white markings, which lead you through narrow streets to Place du Communal. Walk past the houses on your right before reaching the D13.
(9) Turn left (refreshments available at a grocery shop), pass the town hall and head right onto the small uphill street leading towards the church. Walk past the cemetery on your right and take the small path towards Pech Merle. After a steep climb, you’ll arrive at the site of the Pech Merle Cave: refreshments available and picnic tables.
(10) Head towards the car park, walk alongside it and take the stony path to Clou Barrat.
(11) Be careful, it’s easy to go wrong here! Head south, ignoring the nature trail which continues straight ahead. Continue along the GR®651 until you reach the junction with the nature trail.
(12) Keep heading in the same direction and continue to the hamlet of Les Boules.
(13) Turn left and begin a steep descent after skirting the Pech de Conduché. Continue to the Château de Conduché, on the banks of the Lot.
(14) Turn right onto the D662, taking great care, particularly when passing through the tunnel. Head towards the Bouziès bridge.
(15) Cross the metal bridge over the Lot and continue to the cemetery. Turn left onto the tourist road, heading towards Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Continue to the town hall, then turn left to reach a large car park: toilets, drinking water and picnic tables.
(16) Before reaching the Lot, continue to the right towards Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, along the towpath. Pass the motorhome site and the Eiffel Bridge, then continue along the small grassy path which leads into the path carved into the cliff face, taking in the beauty of the surroundings. Carry on until you reach the tarmac road.
(17) Continue left onto Route Castant, following the River Lot. Walk for about 700 m, then turn right onto the steeply ascending path to reach Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
(18) Enter the village via a narrow alleyway and continue to the square where the Tourist Office is located. Do take a short break and visit one of the most beautiful villages in France. Continue down the straight road, which becomes Rue de Pelissaria. Walk on until you reach the Porte de Rocamadour, situated just before the D8.
(19) Continue down the small path branching off to the left, passing the Chapelle des Bateliers and then the small cemetery before reaching the D8.
(20) Continue in the same direction towards the beach and the campsite, arriving about a hundred metres further on at the entrance to Camping de la Plage (A).

The Lot towpath near Bouziès.
Built in 1845, the towpath was used by horses to pull flat-bottomed boats, known as gabares, up the Lot, laden with goods from Quercy bound for Bordeaux. The cargo consisted mainly of Cahors wines and dried plums, but also included the wares of woodturners, specifically wine barrel taps.In 1926, the Lot was declassified as a navigable river; it has been redeveloped for recreational boating since 1990. Shortly before this, Daniel Monnier undertook the creation of the bas-relief in the excavated side of the towpath. In his own unique way, he depicts the river’s environment, its fauna, flora and fossils.