Visit Saint-Cirq-Lapopie: Treasure of the Lot
Near Camping La Plage in Meyronne
Visit Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, the medieval village
less than an hour from Camping La Plage in Meyronne
Clinging to its cliff and perched above a bend in the Lot, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is one of those “must-see” visits to plan during your holiday in the region. Sloping alleys, medieval houses with brown tile roofs, spectacular viewpoints… the atmosphere is unique, somewhere between an artisans’ town and a postcard setting.
The village is labeled as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” and also made an impression by being voted “Favorite Village of the French.”
Culture: medieval houses, fortified church, and fort remains
The visit naturally begins with the village’s narrow streets. On Rue de la PĂ©lissaria, you can spot superb multi-story houses (timber-framed) from the 15thâ16th centuries, and further down, houses with shop arcades (15thâ17th) that tell the story of the village’s former craft activity. Then, head up toward the Church of Saint-Cirq-et-Sainte-Juliette: the Gothic building was constructed starting in 1522, incorporating elements of the old Romanesque church (12th-century acanthus leaf carvings, 13th-century mural fragments). Right next to it, the village heights lead to the remains of the seigneurial fort: from the 13th century, the site was shared between three families (Lapopie, Cardaillac, Gourdon), each building their own castle; the fort was later abandoned starting in the 16th century.
Other must-sees: the Pech Merle cave
If you want to complement Saint-Cirq-Lapopie with a “cool” visit, the Pech Merle cave (in Cabrerets) makes an excellent duo. People come here for its cave paintings and the experience of a major decorated cave in Quercy; it was discovered in 1922, and the site is located in the CĂ©lĂ© valley, in the heart of the Causses du Quercy.
On the practical side, the Pech Merle Prehistory Centre is located 13 km from Saint-Cirq-Lapopie: ideal for doing Saint-Cirq in the morning and then Pech Merle in the afternoon (or vice versa).
The BouziĂšs towpath, the "signature" walk
For a walk without technical difficulty, the great classic is the towpath from BouziĂšs to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie: an easy hike (following the river, mostly flat terrain) with the highlight being the section carved into the cliff. The route has a real history: it was built in 1845 to allow horses to tow the barges.
Allow about 2 to 2.5 hours round trip, with only a small final climb to reach the village.
Access from Camping La Plage in Meyronne
Directions:
From Camping La Plage in Meyronne, allow about 1 hour 15 minutes of driving (â 68 km).
The simplest route: Meyronne â Souillac, then join the A20 towards Cahors/Toulouse. As you approach Cahors, follow the signs for âVallĂ©e du Lot / Saint-Cirq-Lapopieâ to get onto the valley road (sector Arcambal / Vers / BouziĂšs) and continue towards Tour-de-Faure then Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
