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Welcome to our recent route through the Lot in France. In this post I am going to try to explain our entire family adventure, our experience and our opinions about this trip. to the Lot in a motorhome with children What we have done to get to know this area of ​​France.

Furthermore, if you want you can complete your route, like us, with a route through the neighboring department of the Lot, the Dordogne and visit the 15 essential things to see in the Black Perigord, an area that, together with the Lot, will make you fall in love.

We just got back from this French apartment and the Lot with children and family or whatever never fails. I can only tell you about the wonders of the Lot.

It is our second visit to El Lot and we are still in love with it and want to visit even more. There is no small town or corner that does not have charm, monument, castle or surprising cave!

Its landscapes and peace They are another of the charms of this French department that I have to highlight. In the Lot there are usually no large crowds, there are no large cities and nature is present in most of the territory. He Causes Quercy regional park It extends across a large part of its territory and this makes it simply more wonderful!

About us

Our trip through the Lot France

As I mentioned before, we have done this route through the Lot in a motorhome. France by motorhome It is always easy and wonderful, so whenever we can we escape from it this way.

But don't be scared, if you are not going to travel in a motorhome or camper, 100% of this article will still work for you. I simply won't be able to recommend you. tourist accommodation in the Lot Valley, outside Lot campsites, If you are interested, I will tell you about some that we liked during our route, the truth is that it is a territory very prepared for camping.

For the rest, sure Our route, as well as opinions and advice, will help you of our experience in the Lot, especially if you are looking for a blog with a trip to the Lot that tells you things exactly from their own experience and with honest opinions.

Initial planning of the trip to the Lot

We designed our route through the Lot to make trip to the Lot an unforgettable holiday, looking for the best places in the Lot, what to do in the Lot and what to see in the Lot that we, adults and children, would like of the house. We look for the medieval lotbut also the Hiking and nature lot and since we did not pursue the gastronomy in the Lot.

In summary, and thanks also to the research in other blogs and the help of the offices of Lot tourism and the Grand Figeac, we ended up designing our route through the Lot that after enjoying it, we can say that we recommend it to you without hesitation for a second.

Video summary of our route through the Lot France

On our trip to the Lot in France we passed through towns and cities , the Cahors, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Figeac, Rocamadour, Cardaillac, Capdenac-le-haut, Corn, Espagnac, Brengues, among others, we toured the Lot Valley, the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park, we visited the Valentré Bridge, Cahors Cathedral, Champollion World Writings Museum and we did hiking activities, cultural visits, visits to local markets and, of course, we tasted local cuisine.

A trip that you can see in this video summary of the entire route with a little of everything: culture, gastronomy, sports, nature, museums, outdoor activities, guided tours.

The Lot: what it is, where it is and how to get to the Lot

Before our Route through the Dordogne Perigord by motorhome, we arrive at the initial destination of our new trip and route that will begin the next day and that in total will be a route through the Lot of 4 stages that I will tell you about below.

In reality, the administrative name and on the papers of the french department What will we visit on this route? It's just Lot, although as a tourist destination the brand and name are often used Lot Valley, thus highlighting the river and valley that crosses its main tourist destinations in the Lot department in France.

In case you don't know, in France they are organized territorially into Regions and Departments. The Regions are equivalent to our Autonomous Communities and the Departments are equivalent to our provinces. In France there are 18 regions and 96 departments, plus 5 that are located overseas.

The Lot department is located in the Occitania region, from the South of France. Its capital, prefacture as they call it in France, is Cahors and in second place is Figeac as the second important city in the Lot, sub-preface.

The Lot areas: Rocamadour, Figeac, Lot Valley, Dordogne Valley and Célé Valley

Its 5 zones that currently we could divide the Lot department touristically. Areas that cover the valleys that form its 3 main rivers: The Lot Valley, the most famous, the Dordogne Valley that passes through the Lot and the Vallé de Célé. Plus the Rocamadour and Figeac area, as two of its most important tourist towns.

On our trip, we will focus on visiting Rocamadour and its surroundings, Figeac and its surroundings, the Lot Valley and the Célé Valley and we will leave the Dordogne Valley to visit it in the Dordogne Perigord department later. Basically around these 4 locations we divide our route into 4 stages along the Lot.

How to get to France to the Lot department

On how to get to the Lot in France you have different options.

To begin, I will explain our own experience to you, then I will try to explain the rest of the options to get to The Lot in France with alternative transportation to your own vehicle.

Getting to the Lot Valley with your own vehicle: our experience

Just as we have done in our route through the Lot in a motorhome, you can access by road to El Lot in your own vehicle, car, motorhome or camper van.

The roads that go from Spain to France are all very good, whether national or highways.

In our case, we leave from Barcelona to El Lot taking the AP 7 until the height of Narbonne, towards Carcassone, where we take another highway A-61 to Toulouse and from there again we will continue straight along the A-20 up until we reach the Lot. If you have never visited Carcassonne, Here you have a first obligatory stop on the route.

We come to the Lot for its gateway to the south-central-west, the Lot River Valley area, and its capital Cahors.

The highway is very good all the way and they are almost 5 hours of driving from Barcelona, ​​but they are done very well even in a single day.

Our cost of going in our vehicle from Barcelona to the Lot and back has been little less than 500 € uros

How to get to El Lot by plane and how to get around there: Lot airports and transport

Near the Lot there are two airports where you can go and from there rent a car to reach the Lot.

The Lot airports The main access are these two:

• The airport Bordeaux
• The airport Toulouse-Blagnac.

Practical information about our trip to the Lot, France

Below, before moving forward, in the explanation of our route, itinerary and visits made about the things what you can do and what to see in El Lot, I will quickly summarize what our trip to the Lot in a motorhome with children and as a family that we have done has been.

I tell you how many days we have been, what dates, which has been our audiovisual and expenses for the four of us in the family and finally I am going to try to summarize what has been the best and the worst of our route and trip to the Lot, so that you have clues about what to prioritize or avoid on your trip through the Lot.

Days of our route through El Lot

Route of 6 days through El Lot, where one day is used to go and another to return to Barcelona, ​​where we left.

When we have made the trip to the Lot

Travel during the Holy Week, at the end of March and beginning of April, in spring.

Let me tell you at this point that Easter there does not have as many holidays as here in Spain, but they do have a holiday on Easter Monday and that long weekend is like high season. Everything is now open and there are usually more people in all the visiting places than the previous days of that week.

Travel budget

If you are wondering how much a 6-day trip through El Lot costs, I will detail our expenses below. for 4 people We are, 2 adults and 2 children:

• Gasoline + tolls: 500 €uros, going and returning from Barcelona
• Tickets and activities: €120
• Hospitality and other purchases in supermarkets: €380

In total: approximately €1000, €250 per head.

Here would be missing accommodation Let each one choose, so as not to get involved I don't include our costs for campsites and motorhome areas. On average, the campsites cost us 35 euros per night at this time of year for two children, two adults and a dog on a motorhome pitch.

 The best and worst of our trip through the Lot

To finish the summary of our route through the Lot, we like to try to summarize What has been the best and what has been the worst From the trip.

It's something we like to do on the way back from our routes, while driving home. A way to close the trip and finish reliving it.

We talk among the 4 of the family and take stock of the trip, highlighting what we liked the most and the worst in the opinion of each one.

So, think that this is the result of a humble opinion of a traveling family, nothing that has great rigor, more than the opinion of what we have experienced. Think that maybe you can experience something else when you go and your opinion may be different.

The best of the Lot on our route

For us the best of these days in the Lot has been:

• La quiet and few people that we have found in all places, including in Rocamadour. Here I imagine it was because the day we visited it was raining a lot.
  • The great discovery of Cèlé Valley. It surprised us in each of its towns. They all had something peculiar and precious: water fountains that come out of the rock and form waterfalls, troglodyte houses embedded in the rock walls that form the Causes Quercy, fairy-tale abbeys, beautiful beaches of the Cèle River, impressive hiking routes between cliffs, castles in the rock and fairytale forests like the Sentier des Anglais, which I tell you about below.
  • The such beautiful towns which have been classified as one of the most beautiful in France. Above all we consider essential: Sant Cirq Lapopie.
  • Figeac we loved it and surprised us with its medieval old town so big and well preserved, not even electricity cables can be seen on the streets!
  • Knowing the history of Champollion in Figeac, Egyptologist who deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics through the rosette stone. What a great story about this man! Inspiring for young and old. Plus, we loved it when he explained it to us. Audrey, a Figeac tourist guide in Spanish. For 15 euros for an adult and 5 for a child, you get a very cool guided tour throughout the morning that you can't miss if you go to Figeac. I leave you here his WhatsApp to book a visit if you want: 00 33 664809415 He speaks Spanish very well and knows everything about Figeac and the Lot!

The positive things do not end:

• Visit museum of world writings and Champollion from Figeac, Incredible everything you can learn there!
  • El liver of the menus and daily specials in the restaurants, which are cheaper there than in other areas of the Dordogne.
  • El Valentré bridge in Cahors, UNESCO World Heritage and the Roman pools of Cahors.
  • Rocamadour, all of it: spiritual and precious place where those there in France. It is the second most visited town, outside of Paris. The first Mont Saint Michell.
  • Almost all the visiting places have been free to see in the Lot: the Valentré bridge, abbeys, castle towers...
  • Dine with music at Capdenac le Haut, one of the most beautiful towns in France in the Oltís creperie, highly recommended.

The worst thing about the Lot on our trip

I have to say that it has been difficult for us on this trip to get bad things out of our trip to the Lot. Curious but true. But as there are, here they go:

• El little existing parking in the villages of the Céle Valley. In high season it must surely be very difficult to park. And there is not even a motorhome area in this valley, although there are municipal campsites in almost every town.
  • In the village of Saint Sulpice we could not park the motorhome anywhere site, rather than a remote roadside siding on the outskirts. It wasn't easy for cars either, other than a small parking lot at the top of the town in the church, with steep access and through very narrow streets.
  • Campsites are closed from October to April most.
  • Due to the flooding of the Lot and Cele river At the end of March we were not able to do any kayak excursions of the many that are made in the area.
  • El Assier castle We found it closed, it only opens every day in summer. Of course, it must be very cool to see inside!
  • There was no long greenway to travel by bicycle, something that we like to do on all our family routes. There was only one in Cahors next to the river and we didn't see very long outside.
  • El access to Cardaillac With the motorhome it was quite complicated, the GPS sent us along the narrowest road, on which two cars did not pass between farms. It is better to pass through the one that passes through Fourmagnac, not that it is very wide but wider than the one we passed through on the way out. Thank goodness no one passed by!
  • Our It rained practically every night and it sparkled for some mornings, but with the lack of water we have here in Catalonia, it was a joy to walk in the rain sometimes.
  • and that the trip is over so soon!

By motorhome through the Lot and our motorhome route through the Lot: things to know

If you travel by motorhome, like us, in this section I want to tell you that the Lot is fully prepared for traveling by motorhome, like most of France.

There are municipal areas and campsites in most towns at reasonable prices and where you can camp without fear of fines and enjoy the world of caravanning.

In the description below about our route I will detail the parking and overnight places to help you if you are also going to do one. route through the Lot in a motorhome.

Our route through the Lot France

We now leave the summary of our route through the Lot and go into detail about our route through the Lot so that you can know What to see in the Lot and what route through the Lot you could take.

So, based on our experience of our last trip through El Lot, we propose here a 4-stage route through the best of this French department.

Video summary of our entire route through the Lot France

STAGE 1: Route through the Lot Valley France

Our route for 4 stages with the essentials what to see in the Lot by car, motorhome or whatever on your route, start with a route through Lot Valley France, where you have an article that we have made for your 6 essentials.

The route begins in the city of Cahors, to see one of the essentials of the Lot: its Devil's bridge. Then, continue the course of the river through its small towns, visiting Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the most beautiful towns and ending with another of the most beautiful towns in France Capdenac, as the last point on this route through the Lot Valley in France.

What to see in the Lot Valley

We now begin the route to enjoy everything there is What to see in the Lot Valley. One of the main destinations of the Lot in France.

Cahors and the Valentreé Bridge in Cahors, World Heritage Site

We begin our route at one of the best entrances to the Lot: cahors, its capital, where we already did an article about What to see in Cahors.

Here we arrive at night public and free motorhome area. In this parking lot there is a navette, free bus, toward the center. From here, also, in 15 minutes on foot you reach the center. The motorhome area is also a parking lot. shared with cars. In truth, it is a very practical city park & ​​ride for any vehicle and where there are also services for motorhomes.

Our visit to Cahors: what to see in Cahors

From the motorhome area, the next day we set out to visit Cahors. The capital of the Lot, where you have an article that we have made with everything what to see in Cahors that you cannot miss.

We went towards the center and in the first large square with a fountain we found the tourist office. Right in front the Medieval cobbled streets of the historic center.

In front of the Cathedral today, Saturday, there was a market of those that are so well spoken of about the Lot. The Cathedral of Saint-Étienne of Cahors is a majestic Gothic cathedral from the 12th century. Its architecture and stained glass windows are impressive, it is UNESCO World Heritage, the rounded domes remind us of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

After wandering and discovering some secret gardens between alleys, we walked through large parks full of Malbec vineyards, famous for their good wine. And now we arrive at the Lot River, where there are usually boats that take you around, but in the low season everything is extremely calm. There we went up and crossed the Valentré Bridge, an iconic medieval bridge of fortified towers, Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. We are surprised. Is Free Access to the Pont d'Avignon is paid and is very similar.

Upon crossing the Valentré bridge, on the left in 5 minutes we arrive to marvel at the Roman pools with turquoise water under some rocks, this being our last visit and returning to the motorhome walking around banks of the Lot along the greenway in the city of Cahors.

Visit Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the most beautiful towns in France and the Lot Valley in France

We continue our route through the Lot Valley and go towards one of the most beautiful towns in France. A town of which we attest that if not the most beautiful It is one of the most beautiful we have seen in France and we have taken a few!

To park we do it in the Sant-Cirq Lapopie motorhome parking lot, belonging to the camping Le Plage, in the lower part of Saint Cirqu Lapopie and next to the Lot River with a beautiful panoramic view.

This motorhome and camping area is the best of our route through the Lot to enjoy camping. The plots and surroundings are more than good.

From there, once settled, we took the path next to the river and then the cobbled detour to go up to the town.. In 10 minutes on foot we were at the top of Saint Cirq. The first thing that surprised us at first sight when being on top of that rock cliff that supports Saint Cirq are the views. It is incredible to see France's River Lot and the valley it forms from Saint Cirq Lapopie. You won't stop taking a thousand photos!

The people It couldn't be more beautiful, cobbled houses with typical Lot roofs in reddish tones, arranged as in a parade, between artisan workshops and restaurants with beautiful terraces.

Hay tourist office and you can't get lost climb to the upper viewpoint.

A town to simply enjoy and feel like you are in a story.

Capdenac- Le Haut, one of the most beautiful villages in France

We arrive at our last stop by the Lot Valley France, but not before doing an impressive road trip where we pass along the banks of the Lot through beautiful mini towns and rock cliffs of the Casusas Quercy National Park beautiful.

In Capdenac – Le Haut we are going to park at the parking reserved for motorhomes, just behind the normal vehicle parking lot. We found ourselves, but, the parking lot was closed. Due to rain and being made of grass, it was completely flooded and muddy and it was clear that a motorhome had been stuck there before due to the traces of the earth.

Without a problem we parked in the parking lot in front of cars, almost empty. Next door there is a playground and a booth with exchange books and my children enjoy a good time.

Capdenac – Le Haut, is the Capdenac above, the medieval historical, but from the parking lot we look out and see the Lot River below the mountain and next to it Capdenac and its curious reproduction of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

In Capdenac Le Haut we find at the entrance a map of a visit plan that we follow. It is a beautiful medieval town with cobbled streets with remains of its walls of Roman origin. They say that It was the last Gallic town to succumb to the Romans, and the one that actually represents Asterix and Obelix, although many think it was in French Brittany.

The anecdote of the Capdenac animals

From our visit I curiously remember the village animals as one of those curious points that leave us traces of travel.

First of all, for several cuddly cats that we found on our walk through its streets, but very cuddly! And secondly for the curious donkey that called the master from the door insistently hehehe In the video we have on YouTube you can see it.

Apart from that, Capdenac surprised us with his Hidden corners. As a garden with a giant insect house, we had never seen one so big. Or like the Roman baths located under a steep staircase, to which if you want to access you must first go to the tourist office to get the keys. In our case we were left wanting, the tourist office was closed.

Apart from this, the corner above the church at the base of the castle wall next to the remaining tower is beautiful with its fountain and gardens, same as the balcony with the monument to the fallen which is at the end of the street from the church. Every corner has something in Capdenac.

Before leaving our pleasant visit, we were lucky enough to come across the Oltís creperie. Just that night I was enlivened with musical duo which we loved! What a great atmosphere there was in this restaurant for such a small town! We loved having dinner and thus closing the evening of the visit to Capedenac-le-Haut.

STAGE 2: Figeac, the second essential town in the Lot

We continue our route through Stage 2 to visit this time Figeac, the second most important town in the Lot in France.

We arrived in Figeac at night. In Figeac there are two motorhome areass and we decided to go up to the one at the top of the town. Figeac is a small town of about 20.000 inhabitants, but as you can see it takes motorhomers into account twice as much.

The stadium's motorhome area, at the top of Figeac, is shared with cars but has free reserved spaces and services where you only pay 2 euros to refill the water.

From there in 1 minute you are in the medieval town of Figeac.

The first thing that surprises us is precisely this medieval town. Is very careful, clean and it is very big and excellent conservation. You can't even see the electricity cables in the streets, something that immediately catches my attention. It has charming squares and a lots of shops, cafes, restaurants and lots of life of its inhabitants.

We loved the atmosphere immediately and after an evening walk we sat down at the Le Seth restaurant to have something to eat. The food is very good, although the prices are not so good.

Guided tour day to discover the adventure of Champollion in Figeac

The next day, we had a reservation guided tour with a local guide in Spanish of the Lot: Audrey, from Adventures & Vous.

Audrey would teach us Figeac through the history of Champollion in Spanish. For 15 euros for an adult and 5 for a child, you get a very cool guided tour throughout the morning that you can't miss if you go to Figeac. I leave you his WhatsApp here to book a visit if you want: 00 33 664809415 He speaks Spanish very well and knows everything about Figeac and the Lot! His contact was given to us by the tourist office and it was a success!

Figeac is important by Champollion, Egyptologist expert in languages ​​and writing who deciphered hieroglyphs with the rosette stone, with a beautiful and curious story at the same time.

After the visit with Audrey to the best corners of Figeac and taking us to the best viewpoint in the city in a beautiful little trek through the forest, we went to eat at a small restaurant in front of the tourist office, Marché des Délices, which had the dish of the day and which was a success, good price and good food.

And from the food we got ready, now, to visit the great museum of the World Scriptures, the Champollion Museum. A museum that leaves us with our mouths open and reveals a world around the writings that have existed in history and many of which have not yet been able to decipher their meanings. You do not miss the hype.

Figeac has really been one of the great surprises on our route so far, we have loved it!

STAGE 3: The Célé Valley, the unknown jewel of the Lot

We continue our route through Stage 3 to discover a surprising and unknown valley of the Lot full of fascinating places: The Célé Valley.

The valley, which begins at the gates of Figeac, undulates along the Célé river and little by little begins to embrace the wild and golden landscapes of the Causes of Quercy Nautal Park. That's perhaps why it is such a special and wonderful place.

After the old chapel of Saint-Martin de Camboulit and the village of Boussac, the river crosses two villages with discreet charm: Corn and Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie, which are the first we visited. These two towns are also located on the GR 651, one of the variants of the famous GR 65, the French road to Santiago.

Corn, the town of water magic

The first visit we make to the Cele Valley is in a small town: Horn. A town that draws attention for its water, which flows through the middle of the town in the form of a waterfall and stream. A source that emerges as if by magic from a cave and feeds an ancient washhouse and passes through the town with a delicious whisper.

To visit the town in this case we parked at the exit of the town in the parking lot of the town's social hall. It is next to the Cele River and is a totally quiet and beautiful place to stop on our route to eat.

The town is cute, don't miss it. And if you fancy a picnic, take advantage of the picnic area next to the fountain, it's wonderful.

Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie, a pilgrim abbey

After Corn, we are going with the idea of ​​stopping in Espagnac, but with a motorhome they prohibit us from accessing the town. Now, on the road they show us a parking lot. We parked in the parking lot next to the road and in two minutes on foot we crossed the bridge to visit Espagnac and its famous Abbey.

This town really looks like a postcard with its 13th century priory magnificently preserved. The priory is called Notre Dame du Val Paradis, and it looks like a paradise! Next to the Célè River, with little beaches that in summer must be a delight for the feet of pilgrims who come here to stay.

Something that also draws attention in Espagnac is the wooden statue representing the pilgrim with his cane and reminds us that we are on the GR 651 path to Santiago.

Brengues, stop to do the Sentier des Anglais

The next stop in the Célè Valley for us has a Purpose: make an essential hiking route in the Lot.

When we arrived on municipal campsite of Brengues It's closed, so we have to park in the only parking that is next to the road in this municipality. Right in front of the parking lot there is a very good looking restaurant, but unfortunately it is closed for us today.

In that parking lot, we found two vans. Since we took the Cele Valley we had not seen any motorhome or van yet.

We park, pack backpacks with a picnic and prepare to take a route of 8 km and 260 meters of unevenness, a priori easy route. Although I can tell you that if you go with children under 5 years old care since there is a very narrow piece of road that goes very close to the precipice, can be difficult with small children.

La Ruta It comes out next to the Brengues church, There's a information panel. You must follow at all times the yellow marks and the path is very well signposted.

We follow the yellow traces until after a long climb we see a medieval stone door, there we enter the English Trail where we will visit the remains of the Chateau des Anglais, a 12th century fortification embedded in the rock of the cliff.

The section that starts from the fortified gate ahead is the most spectacular section of the route. Next to the cliff and where the rock becomes a rock shelter that seems to envelop us. After a little while, we see the Chateau des Anglais, it is very close. It has an information panel and they warn us that currently it cannot be visited inside.

Now, we are only approximately 3 km away and there are 5 km left of the complete circular loop of the route we want to complete.

We continue and the road becomes safer for children after 3,5 km.

We passed some sources and along roads full of beech forests with moss and dry stone walls with moss that remind us of French Brittany. The road is beautiful.

After 4 km, arriving at a wide paved road where cars pass, there is a fork to make a shorter route or continue straight to make the long 8 km route. We decided on the second option to discover the other part of the forests of the Cele Valley.

The route goes up, but then it's all downhill and the road in this other half trail is wider and easier.

Without a doubt a route that you cannot miss on your trip through the Lot, beautiful!

Saint Sulpice and its troglodyte houses

I had read that Saint Sulpice was the star holiday area of ​​this valley par excellence. Also, that he had a Magnificent campsite with swimming areas in the river and swimming pools and that the people with their troglodyte houses It was beautiful.

It really must be like this in the middle of August, but now at the beginning of April we find the campsite closed and without any option to park the motorhome. We can only stop for a moment in a parking lot far from the town, a siding off the main road of the valley.

There we left our vehicle to make an express visit to this town.

First of all, you have to go up and once up, the main street already looks beautiful. We head to the right of the street and at the end there is a viewpoint with a cross from where we see the beauty of the rock cliff with the troglodyte houses. Don't miss the photos of this viewpoint.

Here I want to make a point. When we talk about troglodyte houses Many people imagine prehistoric cave houses, but no, this is not the meaning of troglodyte. Troglodyte means who lives in a cave house and it doesn't have to be prehistoric.

That's why when I talk about troglodyte houses, I'm referring to beautiful, well-preserved medieval houses dug into the rock that seem to be suspended on the cliff by magic.

After the viewpoint on the right, I advise you, like us, to go to the left and after passing through the romanesque church continue to enter the troglodyte neighborhood of the houses that you have photographed at the viewpoint first, spectacular!

Marcillac-sur-Céle

Here our last stop in the Célè valley: Marcillac-sur-Céle, a more than beautiful town, beautiful!

On the banks of the Célè, with bathing and canoeing areas along the Cèlè, this town preserves a medieval jewel.

An incredible half-ruined abbey that makes you immediately fall in love with the place. All this accompanied by vertiginous cliffs that seem to surround the town in an embrace over the Cele River.

La Saint Pierre Abbey is from the 9th century and was founded by Benedictines. Part of the vestiges of its cloister are destruction from wars, but its church and some rooms are in perfect condition and you can visit everything freely.

To park there is only one parking lot or next to the road, both are suitable for motorhomes and vans if you are itinerant travelers like us.

Another of the attractions of Marcillac-sur-Céle is a path that takes you through the old dry stone houses in the area. In this case we couldn't do it, but it was left for us next time. Causas Quercy is a spectacular Natural Park and in this valley any walk you can take among its cliffs and fields is worth it.

STAGE 4: Towards Rocamadour, the diamond of the Lot

We continue our route through Stage 4 and the last of our trip through the Lot in a motorhome with children that we are doing as a family.

In this stage we will go up towards the north and take a route that will go of Cardaillac, one of the towns in France classified as one of the most beautiful to Rocamadour with an intermediate stop in a town with a beautiful castle: Assier.

Cardaillac, the town of the three towers

We begin this stage in Cardaillac, one of the most beautiful towns in France. A medieval village which, luckily for us who travel by motorhome, has a free motorhome area to fill up with water and empty sewage.

From the Cardaillac motorhome area, we prepare to visit this beautiful town. The first thing we visit is its beautiful church. A church that is right in front of the Cardaillac motorhome area.

Then we go down its main street where we find a food store, where we make some purchases of km 0 products in the area, and a bakery that makes breakfasts the delight of travelers.

At the end of the street we find access to the oldest medieval town of Cardaillac, where we can see the famous 3 towers of Cardaillac. One circular and two square. The towers of Cardaillac represent the power of the different branches of heirs of the Cardaillac noble family, each one made a tower to show his power in the municipality.

The first tower we find is a square tower with a tourist office sign, now closed. It has a staircase in the back and the door is open, it is free and open access, we can climb to the top.

The Views from the top of this tower are impressive. From there, apart from visualizing the town with its two other towers, we see the Sagala forest, a forest of beech, fir and chestnut trees where you want to go on a good hiking route.

After seeing the medieval old town with its three towers, we set out to visit the Eclaté museum, a museum that we read is somewhat curious, where you can see a lot of the history of this municipality, and which runs like a circuit in one of the neighborhoods of Cardaillac. When we arrive, we are not lucky, it is closed, we have arrived late.

Our last visit to Cardaillac, however, does not end here with this small disappointment of not being able to visit its museum.

We are preparing to visit your Medieval Garden. Going down some stairs, we enter some beautiful wooden sinks And in front we see a very well-kept and worked medieval garden, where no detail is missing. A very friendly local also shows us that there is a path to walk further in the background that makes this end of the evening in Cardaillac even more beautiful.

We can say that Cardaillac is beautiful and that The only bad thing about this town is its access if you travel with a motorhome. There are two access roads to Cardaillac and the first one the GPS took us on is totally inadvisable. Remember to go for the Fourmagnac roadIt's not that it's a highway, but at least they take two cars close together, but they take it, the other one only takes one and close to each other, hehehe

Assier, a beautiful castle that we want to see inside

After the visit to Cardaillac, our next visit was to a small town where we can say that there was more life with small shops and open bars. In Assier, just entering you could sense that there was a lot of local life.

We parked in the parking lot right at the entrance to the town, next to a playground and picnic area next to the town's canal and pond. The only bad thing about this parking lot is that it is next to the road, but otherwise it is ideal if you go with children to spend some time with them in the park.

From the parking lot bordering the canal along a path we arrive as if to a pond and we can now access the Assier castle, the great attraction that we came to visit.

From the outside, this castle seems beautiful to us and you can see a very large complex of gardens and buildings. Upon arriving at the entrance, we found it closed until summer, they do not open daily and now in April it is only by prior reservation, a shame to have planned this before. We tend to be very planners, but there are things that always slip through the cracks.

In any case, we take a walk through the town, see its church and complete the visit of a town that also seems charming to us and draws our attention for its local life, despite also being small.

Rocamadour

We arrive at our last stop on this route through the Lot and perhaps the stop that we could call the jewel in the crown of the Lot: Rocamadour was waiting for us.

Rocamadour is the second most visited town in France. The first Mont-Saint Michell.

First of all, you should know that Rocamadour is not only impressive for being suspended on a rock above a spectacular canyon. It is impressive for being a place full of spirituality and full of a story plagued pilgrims.

To visit Rocamadour, you must park in its upper area, where you will find many different parking lots, but all of them pay. There are two reserved parking spaces for motorhomes. The first one, where we parked, is the one next to the bus parking lot, next to the Rocamadour castle. It is a good parking lot to visit Rocamadour to start the visit by visiting Rocamadour from the castle down the path of the crosses and leaving the viewpoints for last.

Lot France map of what to see and do in the Lot

Below, you have an interactive Google Maps map where you have all the points we talked about in this route proposal.