Medieval France: The Lot Valley

Hidden in a corner of southwest France is an undiscovered gem: the Lot Valley, a secluded realm of cliff-perched medieval towns with Romanesque architecture, ancient abbeys, open-air markets, deep red wines, and a savory cuisine flavored with truffles and wild mushrooms. We discover this enchanting world as we hike on the Way of St. James, the path used in the Middle Ages by pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela, explore a prehistoric cave filled with extraordinary rock art, taste fine wines, and enjoy gourmet picnics featuring delectable local specialties including tangy Cabécou goat cheese. Our overnights are in historic hotels, including the majestic 13th century Chateau de Mercuès overlooking the Lot River.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Rodez / Conques

We meet in Rodez, then head to the hilltop village of Conques, nestled around a splendid 9th century abbey that’s a spectacular example of Romanesque architecture. Following a pilgrimage path through villages and fields, we reach the medieval town of Estaing, known as one of the most beautiful in all France.

Days 4-5
Cele Valley / Rocamadour

After exploring Figeac, a charming 15th century town with a perfectly preserved medieval center, we hike an ancient path along the Cele River between tiny hamlets. The next day, we hike the dramatic gorge of the Alzou River for spectacular views of Rocamadour, a picturesque medieval village and pilgrim destination since 1166.

Day 6
Pech Merle Cave / St. Cirq Lapopie

At extraordinary Pech Merle, one of the few prehistoric caves where one can see the original 25,000-year-old paintings, we view a treasury of vivid rock art as mammoths, bison, and dappled horses gallop across the cave walls. We then hike to the village of Cabrerets for a delicious lunch and continue on a riverside trail to St. Cirq Lapopie, with its cobbled streets and terrace gardens. Our charming hotel for the next three nights is the majestic 13th century Chateau de Mercuès near Cahors.

Days 7-9
Chateau de Cenevieres / Chateau de Mercues / Cahors

After hiking up to the village of Calvignac, we descend to the 13th century Chateau de Cenevieres, where the lord of the chateau welcomes us for a visit. Another hike brings us across ancient vineyards, and we stroll the medieval streets of the sunny town of Cahors. We enjoy wine tasting in our hotel’s vaulted cellar and our farewell dinner in its Michelin-starred restaurant. Depart on Day 9 via Toulouse.

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What the Trip is Like

The hiking on this trip is Level 2+, Easy to Moderate. We enjoy day walks over variable terrain, including rolling countryside, riverside trails, clifftop paths, and country roads. The trails are generally shaded by trees, and there are some stony sections, but no dangerous conditions or scrambling. The hikes are van accessible should you need to shorten your hike. We will carry just a daypack. Well broken-in hiking boots are recommended but sturdy walking shoes with good traction may be suitable for some days. The meals included in the itinerary will be taken at the hotels where we are staying or at restaurants in town, with some picnic lunches. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 p.m. A Note on Accommodations: In an effort to capture the spirit of old Europe, the hotels that we use are often family-run converted chateaux or inns, full of ambiance and colorful local history. Although the rooms are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.

Explanation of Trip Levels