DESTINATIONS / FRANCE / LOT
Lot
Trees line the shores of the scenic River Lot, giving way to medieval hilltop villages, lush vineyards and spectacular limestone cliffs, cascading waterfalls amongst the wilderness. The river makes a unique venue for a barge holiday in France. Outdoor pursuits like cycling, swimming and fishing go hand in hand with fine dining, browsing in open-air markets and sightseeing at historic châteaux
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These are some nice cruises ...
History and Architecture
- The castles cruise
Luzech - Luzech - The Douelle
cruise
Douelle - Douelle - The Bouziès
cliffs cruise
Bouziès - Bouziès
Gastronomy and Enology
Highlights
- Explore Saint Cirq Lapopie's , voted prettiest village in France .
- Cross the UNESCO listed Valentre bridge in Cahors to get to one of its picturesque food and wine markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- The Lot is a fantastic river swimming spot ! Crystal clear (but often chilly) waters invite you to take a dip on a hot summer day. Or hire a canoe or kayak for a little exploring.
- Try saucisson sec de chevreuil — air-dried salami of venison. White beef stews such as Daube de boeuf tantalize the taste buds with the fragrance of oranges and fruity Cahors wine .
- Bring your binoculars! On a River Lot cruise, you might see golden eagles , red kite hawks, golden orioles, singing nightingales and cute otters often play along the banks. The Lot Valley is also home to colourful rare orchids and an abundance of butterflies!
- Have a drink at the wine museum in Cahors or at Arcambal's brewery.
Useful information
- There are no lock keepers on the River Lot, but the manual locks are straightforward to operate. There are 17 locks on the upper River Lot. You can moor in ports. However, there are also some lovely country mooring areas on the river away from villages that will give you a chance to enjoy the solitude of the Lot Valley.
- Closest airports are in Toulouse, Bordeaux and Bergerac . Closest train stations are Cahors and Bergerac . We can help with train times and arrange taxi transfers for you to get to your boat.