Neither spectacular, nor mountaneer, the Lot runs between the most diversified course. In some places, the rocks seem to lock it, rough and abrupt. Other times, some stratures of ocre limestones give southern and warm touch.

Its sides are either wild, or animated by perched villages and a kadeiscope of fields. But its most visible particularity is indisputably its meandering path, made of turns called by the locals “lashings”.

The first arrangements of the river is dating from the XIVth century, when the Pope Jean XXII, from Cahors by birth, accorded to start the construction of barrages, ports, locks and watermills.

The “gabares” (large boats) bound down to Bordeaux, full of wood, of barrels... Others bring back salt fishes, brown sugar or cloves. The river is essential. But the XXth century abandonnes it, disdains it, prefering the roads or railways.

In 1970, an evolution pleads on its favor. Its banks are slowly arranged, the locks opened again. Twenty years later, the touristic navigation takes up the torch.

On 64 kilometers, crossing 14 locks, it is possible to travel from Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to Luzech. A fabulous trip along the Lot’s loops which opens new horizons and touching viewpoints.

The cruising first takes place along the vineyards. The river wanders in majesty at the bottom of castles which the ampleness is related to the culte of wine.

Then it lightly touches the noble houses of Puy L’Êveque, interlaces Luzech and its donjon. In Cahors, the Lot forms a scarf around it, reviewing the monuments which recount its history.

Later the hillsides come closer to the waterway and hoist to the castles of Laroque and Arcambal up on a bank of greenery. Soon, the river clears itself a way in a nature still wild, in a background of rocks grooved with fawn tints.

Finally, the crowning moment comes with Cinq-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the most beautiful village of France, where artists lived after André Breton. This visit is a must !