Trips
Pontcirq is situated in the triangle where three departments meet: Lot, Lot-et-Garonne and Dordogne. A major advantage of this is that our estate is the ideal base for day trips to various beautiful places, both well-known and lesser-known. Here are a few suggestions for you...
Bonaguil Castle (Lot-et-Garonne) = Château de la ‘Bonne Aiguille’
This castle has been listed as a historic monument since 1862. It is one of the most beautiful castles in France. It forms a vast complex of fortifications dating from the 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th centuries, unique in Europe. It boasts an impressive defence system and, as a result, has never suffered a single military attack throughout its history. Consequently, this castle is in a remarkably good state of preservation.
Whether on a guided tour or exploring on your own, the dungeons, towers, caves, moats, embrasures and drawbridge will take you right into the heart of medieval history and transport you back to the age of knights. Upstairs, there is a terrace offering a magnificent view of the entire castle and the green countryside surrounding it. Throughout the year, various activities are organised at the castle, such as workshops, festivals and games. During the first week of August, the Bonaguil-Fumel Festival takes place at Bonaguil Castle, whilst the Fumel Nature Theatre stages plays.
This magnificent castle is situated in Saint-Front-sur-Lémonce (47500) but is owned by Fumel. From Pontcirq, it’s a 40-minute drive by car, covering 33 km. TIP: Take the route via Frayssinet-le-Gélat – another very pretty and picturesque village!
Pech Merle Cave; the finest prehistoric rock art in France
The Pech Merle cave is situated in the French department of Lot, in the valley of the River Célé. It offers a rich and varied journey of discovery through the underground world. Spanning a length of two kilometres across several caves, visitors will find natural geological formations, including prehistoric paintings and engravings dating back more than 20,000 years. These are considered to be among the finest in France. It is also a magnificent stalactite cave. In these caves, visitors can admire drawings of bison, horses, mammoths, aurochs, deer and figures whose meaning remains unclear. There are also hand stencils. This technique involves pressing the hand against the rock and blowing powdered pigment over it, creating an imprint of the hand on the rock. There are also drawings of people and a number of fossilised footprints to be found.
46330 CABRERETS
SAINT-CIRQ-LAPOPIE; ONE OF ‘THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN FRANCE’
This village is situated on top of a steep cliff some one hundred metres above the River Lot and has always been a favourite with painters and artists. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie covers an area of 18.7 km², with a population density of 11.1 inhabitants per km². In 2012, it was voted ‘Le village préféré des Français’ by French television viewers. (the village chosen as the French people’s favourite). The centre, with its narrow, steep streets lined with half-timbered houses, is entirely car-free, making it a pleasure to wander through the streets. The village boasts countless galleries and charming little shops. Almost all of them are beautiful little buildings that are well worth a look inside too. There is also a museum housed in the Maison de la Fordonne, which tells the history of Saint-Cirq. Next to the Tourist Office, a path leads up to the castle. If you climb this path, you’ll reach the highest point of the village and enjoy a magnificent view over the river.
ROCAMADOUR
Rocamadour, or Roc-Amadour, is a town in the Massif Central in France, situated in the Lot department. It is the second most visited place of pilgrimage in France after Lourdes and is built on a rock in the middle of the Causse de Gramat, a vast limestone plateau that forms part of the Causses du Quercy. At the top of the rock stands a castle. A winding path (or a lift for visitors with reduced mobility) leads to the sanctuary, a series of chapels with frescoes and a church. A flight of steps, in which many marine fossils are visible, leads down to the foot of the mountain. There lies the very touristy little town with its narrow streets.
CAHORS
Cahors is a French commune and the capital of the Lot department. The town lies in a bend of the River Lot and is almost entirely surrounded by water. Its location is unique: equidistant from the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees. The old town of Cahors, built on a peninsula along the banks of the Lot, offers a pleasant atmosphere with its narrow streets and architecture. The Valentré Bridge (Pont Valentré), a prime example of a medieval fortified bridge and a symbol of the city, was built in the 14th century. It is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This marvellous fortified structure with its pier heads is remarkable because it features three towers designed to defend the entrance to the city. These towers make this bridge unique in the world! Construction of the bridge began in 1308. It took 70 years to build, and this is how the myth of the devil arose. The bridge’s master builder is said to have sold his soul to the devil, but managed to escape the deal through a ruse. In retaliation, the devil would tear down every night whatever had been added to the central tower the previous day. During its restoration in the 19th century, a devil was therefore added to the central tower. Clearly visible from the beautiful riverbank, the Valentré Bridge can also be admired from aboard a boat whilst sailing through the meanders of the Lot.
In the bustling old town, Saint-Étienne Cathedral, crowned by two domes, boasts a beautiful Romanesque portal with a carved tympanum. The cathedral is a monumental structure, comprising various sections from different eras. It is therefore a collection of all manner of architectural styles dating from the 11th to the 17th century. The Place Olivier-de-Magny, not far away, with its beautiful old houses, the Roaldès mansion and the many shopping streets, makes Cahors a highly recommended stop, all the more so because the medieval town is also a gastronomic destination, renowned in particular for its famous red wine.
DU PAIN DU VIN...
Various wine châteaux offering wine tastings, e.g. Château Lagrezette (Malbec) in Caillac, 18 minutes’ drive (15 km) away.
LOT ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE.
Discover the rich heritage of the Lot department and its major attractions with a selection of tourist itineraries and routes by car, on foot, by bike, on a mountain bike and even by boat. Saint-Cirq, Rocamadour, Figeac, Cahors, the valleys of the Lot and Célé rivers, as well as the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park (43’ from Pontcirq) and much more…
Rich content:
- Routes with detailed map sections
- Places to explore, richly illustrated with multimedia content (photos, sounds, videos, panoramic images)
- Interactive games
- A selection of the best sights
- Exploration maps
Key features:
- Follow a map-based route
- Audio commentary
- Download routes to use offline
- Automatic alerts when near a point of interest
- Around me’ map search
- Take photos
- Share on Facebook and via email
GINDOU FILM FESTIVAL
Every year, film screenings are held in Gindou. These take place in a 700-seat open-air amphitheatre. Alongside the screenings, there are daily discussions and meetings between filmmakers, actors and the audience, as well as concerts and a travelling bookshop. World-renowned and just a short distance (16 km) from our B&B and gîtes!