Discover Saint-Cirq Lapopie

The medieval village of Saint-Cirq Lapopie

Near cahors, Saint-Cirq Lapopie has been elected « premier village préféré des Français » (a french label for the most beautiful villages in France) and offers to the visitor an exceptionnal point of view and a rich History.

Take the road which twists and turns between the Lot river and the cliff to begin the pleasure of the discovery. You may meet some roes and squirrels during your trip.

Along the river or along the road, you will discover the locks which make possible and pleasant navigation on the river, you will go through little typical villages and sometimes troglodyte as Cabrerets.Take a break to observ and take a photograph of the « Châteaux des anglais » (castles of the English) nearly hidden against the cliff (in Vers and Bouziès for instance), they were located here to have a strategical point of view to warn the arrival of enemies.

And finally, Saint-Cirq Lapopie offers itself to you with its majestic church upon its rock looking alike a breast (la popa in Occitan), which gives its name to the village.

Visits and activities in Saint-Cirq Lapopie

Once you entered the village, you directly dive in the medieval time, walking in little streets which were shaped by History, you will see houses from XIIth to XVIth century. Than to the 13 historical monuments of this listed village, you start a travel through time. You can ask for a free map in the Tourist Office.

The village includes many beautiful old houses whose facades of stone or wood were built between XIIth and XVIth centuries. They are characterised by their steep-sloped, flat tile roofs.

In the streets, open arcades of shops preserve the memory of craft activities that created the wealth of St. Cirq. Skinners in the rue de la Pelissaria, coppersmiths in rue Peyrolerie and especially wood turners or roubinetaïres, with workshops producing button moulds, bowls, cups and cooper's taps.

Since -24 000 before JC, artists have been inspirated by the location. Indeed, you will see prehistoric paintings in Pech Merle cave few kilometers away from Saint-Cirq Lapopie. Now-a-days artists are still living in the village during the year, finding inspiration in this countryside.

Some activities around Saint-Cirq Lapopie :

• Pech Merle cave in Cabrerets, you will visit the cave and see prehistorical paintings
• Cénevières castle, a Renaissance castle with authentic furnitures and still occupied by the family, time goes by upon the river but the castle remains flawless.
• the Cloup d’Aural phosphate mine in Bach, exceptionnal geological site near Limogne en Quercy
• truffles market, winter truffles (melanosporum) or summer truffles (aestivum) in Limogne en Quercy
• numerous excursions between cazelles (dry stones huts) and dry stones walls.
• The Causses du Quercy National Natural Park where you will find many events to enjoy this magical nature
• Lot cruises with comments, for a day or for a week
• Sports and leisure activities such as canoeing, hiking, caving, riding, etc.

I made up my mind : let’s go to Saint-Cirq Lapopie !

PARKING IN Saint-Cirq Lapopie

Numerous parking facilities are to you disposal around the village. Most of them are free during winter but in season they become daily paid parking. Except for the car park under the village, near the beach and the camping, which is free but a 15-20 minutes walk is necessary to go to the village. Camping-car and bikes parks are also available.

From Cahors to Saint-Cirq Lapopie

There is no trains between the two sites. How to reach Saint-Cirq Lapopie from Cahors :

• by car about 30 minutes-long. 2 roads to Saint-Cirq Lapopie

Via Vers and Saint-Géry : the most beautiful road, along the cliffs, you go through rockdugged channels before discovering Saint-Cirq Lapopie from the river.

Via Arcambal : also a beautiful road but the easiest to drive especially when you drive a camping-car. It is a largest and less-traveled road.

• By cab, around 100 euros (for a round trip for maximum 4 people)
• Rent a car with Avis Rent in Cahors
• By bus, from Cahors train station. The bus drops you in Bouziès where starts a wander and the towpath along the Lot river (1 hour-long by foot) to Saint-Cirq Lapopie, or the bus can drop you at the beach under the village near Tour-de-Faure. Then 2 minutes separate you from Saint-Cirq Lapopie.