Page 398 - Lonely Planet France’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

GIUGLIO GIL / GETTY IMAGES ©

ATLANTIC COAST 37 THE LOT VALLEY

the water – either on a the gorgeous river scenery main city. With its balmy
boat cruise or under your at your own pace. Trip weather and scarlet-
own steam. Les Croisères lengths range from 4km stone buildings, it has
de St-Cirq-Lapopie (%05 to 22km; rates include the air of a sunbaked
65 31 72 25; www.croisieres- minibus transport to your Mediterranean town.
saint-cirq-lapopie.com; 1hr chosen starting-point. Pastel- coloured buildings
tours adult/child €11/8) runs The Drive » The twisty route line the shady squares
regular river cruises on west to Cahors is another of the old medieval
its small fleet of boats, fine drive, travelling for 28km quarter, crisscrossed by
including aboard an along the gorge and affording a labyrinth of alley ways,
open-topped gabarre, a dramatic views nearly all the cul-de-sacs and medieval
flat-bottomed barge that way. There are plenty of pleasant quays. It’s also an impor-
was once the traditional places to stop for a picnic by the tant wine growing area,
mode of river transport river. Once you reach Cahors, with vineyards stretching
in this region of France. follow signs to the ‘Centre-Ville’. out across the surround-
Parking is free along the river
Alternatively, if you and on place Charles de Gaulle. ing hills.
prefer to be your own cap- The town’s main
tain, Kalapca (%05 65 24 21 landmark is the impres-
01; www.kalapca.com/uk; half-/ 4 Cahors sive Pont Valentré, one
full day €30/45; hApr-Sep) of France’s most iconic
rents kayaks and canoes, Nestled in a U-shaped medieval bridges. Built as
boucle (curve) in the
perfect for experiencing part of the town’s defenc-
Lot, Cahors is the area’s
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