The Lot department is in the northern part of the Midi-Pyrenees region in the South-Western France.
Lot offers a varied landscape with medieval villages and fortresses, grottos and castles. Along River Lot, some of the prettiest villages of France are built into the rocks with an excellent view of the river and the area. Here, you will find rural tranquillity, and if you are looking for peacefulness, good food and French rural culture, and if you are interested in history, Lot is a good starting point.

The landscape of Lot

The beautiful Lot valley with its limestone rocks offers ancient medieval villages and fortresses, narrow ravines and roaring waterfalls along lazy rivers.

Large cities in Lot: Cahors

Cahors is located beautifully towards River Lot, which you cross by the fortified bridge Pont Valentré, which is also the fascinating symbol of the city. The city is known for its truffles, the market on Saturday mornings and the dark, intoxicating Cahors wine. The main street, Boulevard Gambetta, is beautifully located with its plane trees and cafes, restaurants and small shops.

Tourist attractions in Lot

There are many possible tours when you are on holiday in Lot. For instance, you could visit some of the many grottos, museums or castles or the picturesque village, Autoire, which is located in a beautiful and unspoiled area around the mouth of the Autoire ravine. Here, you will see a beautiful waterfall, and a small walk will take you to a rock with panorama of the region.

The city, Rocamadour, is also an interesting tour destination. The city is a former pilgrim city and is still a sanctuary and a popular tourist attraction. It is located fantastically on a rock protrusion above the Alzou valley.

Another possibility is a drive through the beautiful Lot valley along the windings of River Lot. Here, you drive through medieval villages, such as Cajarc, past old fortresses and through pretty villages, such as St-Cirq-Lapopie, which is among the most beautiful cities of France. 

Sports activities in Lot

In the beautiful nature of Lot, there are many cycling routes as well as possibilities of horseback riding and trekking.
On the many rivers and lakes, you can fish as well as sailling in canoe or kayak.

Gastronomic characteristics of Lot

Famous regional dishes from Lot are ”daube de boeuf” og ”cassoulet”, which are casseroles with white haricot beans prepared with pieces of different sausage and meat. The region is also known for its breed of geese, ducks and goats for foie gras, confit and cheese as well as production of walnuts and truffle. Among the local wines are le vin de Cahors and le vin des côteaux du Quercy.

The climate of Lot

Lot is privileged by temperate climate with pleasant temperatures all year round.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from Maison de la France. Photographers: Hervé Le Gac.