Under the suns of Lurçat

This path will take you up to the heights to the ancient castrum of a certain Sérénus, lord of the area who gave his name to the town that developed at his feet: Saint-Céré.

Details

156695
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 219 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 218 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 301 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 151 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the Saint-Céré Tourist Office.

(S) With your back to the Tourist Office, turn left onto Rue François de Meynard and walk about 60 metres, then turn left into the small alleyway. At the end of the alleyway, turn right onto Rue du Faubourg Lascabanes.

(1) About 100 metres further on, turn left onto the small path between the houses to reach a cul-de-sac, turn left, then in Rue Pierre Benoit, take the path on the right that climbs towards the castle. It will take you to Pech du Castel.

(2) When you reach the tarmac road, follow it to the right and, after about 100 metres, turn left onto the grassy path.

(3) Turn right to go up towards the castle via the small path. You will come out onto Rue du Soleil Bleu. Follow it for 40 metres and take the stairs on the left, which lead to the path that goes around the castle. Take it on the right and go around the castle, then return to the stairs, go back down them and turn left onto Rue du Soleil Bleu until you reach the crossroads.

(4) Turn right onto Rue Jean Lurçat (D122) and turn left onto Chemin des Vignals. At the bend, follow it to the right to join the tarmac road of Pech du Castel. Follow it to the left, ignoring the next two paths on the left.

(2) In the big bend (same junction as on the way there), follow the grassy Chemin de la Fontaine opposite, which goes downhill. You will come to a section of road that continues on and follow it to Avenue Michel Gineste, D40. Follow it to the right. After the stream, leave the road on the left and continue to the next junction.

(5) Turn left towards Le Dy. At the last houses in Le Dy, take the hairpin bend onto the tarmac road on the right. Leave the first road on the right and rejoin a dirt track. Continue on the right on another dirt track towards Lacombe, which you leave on your left.

(6) At the end of the road, turn right onto the road and rejoin a section of tarmac road.

(7) Turn left onto Rue Michel Gineste and follow it to the end to rejoin Avenue François de Meynard. Turn right onto this avenue, which will take you back to your starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 151 m
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 152 m - Narrow passage between houses on the left
  3. 2 : km 0.7 - alt. 225 m - Tarmac road
  4. 3 : km 0.83 - alt. 260 m - Turn right onto an unpaved path.
  5. 4 : km 1.52 - alt. 273 m - Follow the road to the right on the departmental road.
  6. 5 : km 4.01 - alt. 174 m - Leave the main road and turn left onto the road.
  7. 6 : km 5.36 - alt. 184 m - Continue along the path on the right.
  8. 7 : km 5.54 - alt. 161 m - Take the main road on the left.
  9. S/E : km 6.21 - alt. 151 m

Notes

The path leading to the château requires hiking boots.
The only shelters you will find are the bus shelters that are occasionally located at crossroads and intersections.
The hike requires nothing more than stamina and strong legs to reach the castle!

Worth a visit

Visit the Château de Saint-Céré, where you can visit the Jean Lurçat museum.
The town of Saint Céré is a historic village crossed by the Bave stream.
Nearby:
- The village of Autoire, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
- The fortified town of Bretenoux and the Château de Castelnau Bretenoux.
- The village of Loubressac, one of the most beautiful villages in France.
- The village of Saint-Jean l'Espinasse with the Château du Montal.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
catherines
catherines

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route completed at the end of April in beautiful weather. I combined it with another route starting from Saint-Céré for a total of about 15 km, offering beautiful scenery and very pretty natural spots.
No particular difficulties.

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Claire Laboucarie
Claire Laboucarie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The description is well written. This route is busier during the summer. Very beautiful views. During the season, you can visit Jean Lurçat's workshop museum. Highly recommended.

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Dede46
Dede46

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy route, very well marked and very well maintained. Stunning views of the three castles. Covered in two hours at a moderate pace, three hours is fine.

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alainmartin77
alainmartin77

Hello, and thank you for all this information.
It's true that it's been a while since I did this course and I didn't have the changes. I think everyone will take note of this.
@lain

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Celineetfrederic
Celineetfrederic

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike on a beautiful winter's day. Please note that the path leading up to the castle is very muddy and slippery at this time of year.
There have been changes to the route:

at 2) do not follow the road to the right, as this is private property. Cross the road and take the path that continues uphill along an embankment (wooden barriers), marked in yellow

At 5), turn left as indicated, but do not follow "le Dy"; leave the road leading to le Dy at the crossroads and continue straight ahead (yellow markings).

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sergio65
sergio65
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lack of indication regarding the type of signage (yellow markings on this route)

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Philippe Degeye
Philippe Degeye

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

No issues - the map is too small.

Thank you.

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minet1947
minet1947

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Enjoy your walk;

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