Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
City Tours · Lot
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Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is located near Cahors and is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France. Perched high above the river Lot, it offers stunning views over the valley and insights into a vibrant village blessed with a rich history.
A Village from the Middle Ages
We take the road from Sarlat-la-Canéda, which winds between the Lot river and its steep cliffs. The long-past Hundred Years' War is a constant companion here: well-hidden in strategic locations, you can see the "English Castles," once used to spot the arrival of French troops early on.
The village itself is largely car-free. Even in the Middle Ages, the narrowness of the alleys must have been a challenge for wagons. Today, this is solved by an intelligent parking system above the village. In any case, it is much nicer to spend your money in the small shops or restaurants than in the parking meter.
As soon as you enter the village, you take a leap back in time to the 12th to 15th centuries. Coppersmiths and woodturners once worked in the arcades of the houses. This inspiring energy was already felt by people 24,000 years ago in the nearby Pech Merle cave—and to this day, artists who live here year-round continue to keep Saint-Cirq-Lapopie under their spell.
