Travel guide Lot

The black triangle of Quercy has been recognized since a 2002 publication by the astronomy monthly Ciel & Espace. A map shows a triangular area between Labastide-Murat, Livernon and Sauliac-sur-Célé, renowned for the depth and clarity of its nights. A privileged spot for observing nocturnal stars.

How do you put a city in a bottle? Ask Cahors, which gave its wine its name and appellation. Made from the Malbec grape variety (also known as Côt and Auxerrois, but you shouldn't say that!), Cahors wine was once called "the wine of the English". Today, it is known all over the world for its qualities.

The South-West, it is well known, is the paradise of the duck! It is eaten as duck breast, sausage, confit, pâté... Many recipes contribute to magnify this product and the local gastronomy also confers its letters of nobility to the bones of duck which one tastes with the hands after having melted the duck in a copper cauldron.

The Caussenarde du Lot is a rustic endemic breed of sheep. Its main characteristics are its ears and its dark glasses. We owe him the famous Quercy lamb. It has been raised for a very long time on the limestone plateaux of the Lot. Today there are about 110,000 females, mainly bred in the Lot department.

As is often the case, stories of bridge construction are linked to the intervention of the Devil. The story of the Valentré bridge in Cahors is no exception and offers several versions. You can make up your own mind by visiting this magnificent ^14th century structure. Don't miss the little sculpture of the devil on the^2nd tower!

The mique lotoise is a family recipe that's still as popular as ever. The basic ingredients are bread dough, salt pork and vegetables, all gently cooked in a broth. Whether in a restaurant or at home, this traditional dish brings generations together and rhymes with sharing and good humor. Traditionally, mique is cut with two forks.

The department's rivers have enabled its economic development thanks to the transport of goods on river gabares, these flat-bottomed vessels have sailed the Lot and Dordogne rivers for centuries. Nowadays, the gabares are once again on the rise! They have been brought up to date for tourism in order to offer walks.

You will see them all over the Lot countryside. They are small circular huts built in dry stone. In the past, they were used as shelter for the shepherds who looked after the flocks of Caussenard sheep. Today, they are part of this small heritage that we love and which gives all its charm to our countryside.

The Lot, a department with walnuts? In any case, you will find the walnut of the Périgord in Martel, AOC since 2002 and AOP since 2004. Walnuts in the Lot are not new since traces of walnut shells have been found dating back 17,000 years! Today, they are mainly used for cooking and baking.

The GR 65 linking Le Puy-en-Velay to Santiago de Compostela (the via Podensia) passes through the Lot and offers pilgrims a choice of two itineraries, one to Rocamadour, the other to the Causses. The town of Cahors is also crossed by the route that takes pilgrims to the Cathédrale Saint-Etienne, the town's highlight.

We find the trace of man since Prehistory as in the cave of Pech Merle in Cabrerets. The cave has no less than 700 painted or engraved motifs such as the famous "stencil hand" or the "punctuated horses". The caves of Cougnac in the Gourdonnais also have prehistoric paintings (mammoths, deer, etc.)

The Latin name of the Quercy black truffle is a mark recognized by fine gourmets, not to be confused with other truffles that resemble it but are not equal to it. In winter, it is sought after as a treasure in the limestone soil of the Lot. Its price can reach 1000 € per kilo. It is sold on specific and well codified markets.