8-day French Way of St James Walking Holiday (Part 4)

Surrounded by the Lot River around its walls and protected by the steep slopes of the Cévennes’ cirque, the city appears as a jewel in its box. Cahors was established by the Gauls and then the Romans veneration for the sacred water source called Divona. This spring still provides clear drinking water to the city. The town of Cahors was a major financial and trading centre during the Middle Ages. The heritage from this former importance is evident in its buildings. Cahors is the largest city on the Via Podiensis, with its 22,000 inhabitants.Visit the Saint‐Etienne cathedral and discover a Cahors symbol, the Valentré bridge.

From Cahors, the walk starts with a demanding climb, giving you a good view of Cahors down in the valley, before continuing to the Causses limestone plateau. On your way you will pass the villages of Labastide-Marnhac, before arriving in the little village of Lascabanes where you find a lovely chapel. Lascabanes had a pilgrims hospital in the 15th century and the tiny church still offers a pilgrim blessing every day at 6pm.

Today’s walk has a few ascents and descents all the way to Lauzerte. Less woodlands today, but more farmland and crop fields, until you reach the beautiful village of Lauzerte another “most beautiful villages of France”. Placed in the heart of the Chasselas appellation and the production area of the Melons du Quercy, Lauzerte watches over an appetizing countryside where the paths lurch between limestone plateaus and valleys. Over the seasons, the latter take on the colours of fruit trees, sunflowers, maize, vines, lavender, etc.

Today is one of the easiest walking days, as you make your way towards Moissac on quiet countryside tracks, crossing woodlands, crop fields and vineyards.

Todays’ walk to Auvillar follows the Garonne River (you will get amazing views of the valley from the hamlet “Boudou”) for most of today, then crosses the canal at Malause before climbing up towards the town of Auvillar, another picturesque village, classified “most beautiful villages of France”. Perhaps best described as small but perfectly formed the village is surrounded by ancient fortified walls, with gateways granting access to the centre. One of these passes under the 17th century clocktower and was built in the position of a drawbridge which once gave access to the centre of the village. The clocktower is unusual in that it is made from alternating levels of white stone with the typical red-brick of the region.

Today you will leave the department “Lot” to enter the farmlands of “Le Gers”. Today’s walk takes you to lovely villages such as Flamarens, with its castle, built in the 13th century, and where you will spend the night.

Today’s walk will lead you to Lectoure. Lots of beautiful countryside to see. From the top of his oppidum, Lectoure watches over the Lomagne. Known as one of the oldest cities in the Gers, its foundation dates back to the Gallo-Roman period.

Lectoure is designated ‘town of art and history’ by the French authorities. Not to miss in this historic spa town: the ramparts, the Albinhac Tower, Bourreau Tower, the old castle of the Counts of Armagnac, the Diane fountain, the church of Saint-Gervais-Saint Protais and the Holy Spirit Church or Chapel of Saint-Gény. Lectoure is in the Armagnac región, the famous brandy!