Larnagol

Larnagol is a small riverside village on the River Lot, situated 9 km from Cajarc, and 40 km from Cahors. Perched on the hilltop on the opposite side of the River Lot is the pretty village of Calvignac.

"Village de la vallée du Lot"

Cajarc

The nearest town, Cajarc, is also on the Lot, and has a selection of shops, restaurants and bars, with an interesting old town in the centre. It has a Saturday market, selling vegetables, cheese, meats and flowers. The famous film, Charlotte Gray, was partly filmed here.

St Circ Lapopie

St Cirq Lapopie, which is 10 km from Larnagol, can be seen clinging precariously to the cliff face when you journey towards Cahors. This is one of the most frequently visited villages in France.

Cahors

Cahors is the main town of the Lot Department. The drive from Larnagol to Cahors is highly recommended as the route follows the river on one side and is dwarfed by overhanging cliffs on the other. In places the rock forms a tunnel across the road and small houses are built into the rock. Cahors boasts a fine old town, with a magnificent church, and a myriad of interesting shops. It also has a wide selection of café/bars and restaurants, all with varying cuisine, from French to oriental. Cahors has a wide selection of hypermarkets and supermarkets for your general and food shopping requirements. Don’t forget to treat yourselves to a boat trip, or the tourist train from Cahors to Cajarc.

Villefranche de Rouergue

In the opposite direction the walled city (‘bastide’) of Villefranche de Rouergue dates back to the Middle Ages and is well worth a visit. The pedestrian streets and small shops are a delight to explore.

Villeneuve D'Aveyron

Eleven kilometres north of Villefranche de Rouergue lies the 11th Century bastide of Villeneuve d’Aveyron. A further 10 km north are the Foissac Prehistoric Caves, dating back to 4000 BC, hiding secrets of a long ago people, including a Neolithic child’s footprint in the clay.

Figeac

Figeac is a friendly mediaeval town nestling on the banks of the river Célé in ancient Quercy. The beautiful countryside which surrounds it contrasts the rugged Jurassic limestone plateaux of the Causses with the lush green hills of the appropriately named «Garden of Ségala». In the old town, pale amber stone buildings with gothic arches fronting the narrow streets rise to reveal picturesque open-lofted roof areas, called «soleilhos», which give it a unique Southern flavour.
As you stroll through the town you cannot help admiring the mediaeval architecture of its brick and timber framed houses. Nowadays, attractive modern boutiques replace the shops of former traders behind the carved and moulded stone arches of the middle ages.
In the later Renaissance period, wealthy merchants built their turreted stone mansions round an open interior courtyard, with finely carved bulustraded stone staircases leading to the upper floors.
At the Place des Ecritures, there is a fine modern rendering of the Rosetta stone, by the artist Joseph Kosuth, celebrating the achievements of Figeac's famous scholar Jean-François Champollion. Born here in 1790, he was the man who first broke the code of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Rocamadour

A little further afield is the historic town of Rocamadour built onto the side of a steep hill. Organised and guided walks are available to show you the natural beauty of the area. For animal lovers the nearby La Foret des Singes (Monkey Forest) will be of particular interest. Here visitors can walk around the 10 hectares where over 100 Barbary Macaques roam freely.