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Saint-Cirq Lapopie, most beautiful village in France
I stopped wanting myself elsewhere
Saint-Cirq Lapopie proudly accumulates the honors: 13 Historical Monuments, to be classy Most beautiful village in France, and most importantly: to seduce every visitor. You will dive directly into the medieval era, in the alleys drawn at random from its history, between houses dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries. A village of artists too, today and yesterday, and the most renowned of them André Breton, leader of the Surrealists. Like him, you will be enchanted by this village and will be able to affirm in unison: "I stopped wanting myself elsewhere".
Things to do in Saint-Cirq Lapopie
Once you have conquered access to the village, you will dive directly to themedieval ages, in alleys randomly drawn from its history, between houses dating from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century. We then bathe directly in the atmosphere of this era, with the 13 Historical Monuments of this listed village.
Just let yourself be carried along by the narrow streets and intimate gardens, looking up at trefoil windows or entering arcade shops installed in the same places as their ancestors boilermakers, skinners or wood turners.
The artists also understood the strength of inspiration of the site, since, since -24 years ago, when they drew their works on the walls of the Cave of Pech Merle a few kilometers away, Cabrerets, until today when around ten of them have chosen to live year-round in the village, Saint-Cirq Lapopie continue to seduce them.
La Popie Rock
It remains today some traces of the castles of the three seigniorial families who shared the village in the Middle Ages. There is a XNUMXth century tower, a main building and an autonomous enclosure dating from the end of the XNUMXth to the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
The Fort of Saint-Cirq Lapopie, these are today remnants of history.
In the footsteps of the lords, climb the steps to the rock of La Popie; you can admire the medieval village but also the Lot valley, with its mills, dams, ports, locks and the famous towpath.
How to visit Saint-Cirq Lapopie ?
The Tourist Office regularly organizes guided tours of the village. Discover the most emblematic buildings and places in the history and heritage of the village with a guide. From the remains of the seigniorial castle to the evocation of 20th century artists, from the arcades of shops to the Renaissance windows of merchants' houses, immerse yourself in the great hours of the history of this medieval city.
You can also visit the village on your own, walking through its medieval streets. Follow these steps and ask for a free tour guide at the Tourist Office upon your arrival.
Another way to discover the village and its history is to follow a cruise on the Lot at the foot of the village. You will embark on a barge a few kilometers from Saint-Cirq Lapopie, then you will follow the towpath to the village according to the comments of your guide and the passages of locks.
Park at Saint-Cirq Lapopie
De numerous parking lots are at your disposal all around the village. While most are free in winter, they are chargeable per day in season except one at the bottom of the village at the beach and campsite (allow 15-20 minutes of walking up to the village). Motorhome parking is also available as well as motorbike pitches.
A village that collects titles, labels and tributes
Superlatives pile up about Saint-Cirq Lapopie and every visitor is ready to confirm and bid. Saint-Cirq Lapopie collects titles, labels and tributes:
- Labeled “Most Beautiful Villages in France” since 1982;
- 1st favorite village of the French elected in 2012 in the Stéphane Bern show.
- Grand Site of Midi-Pyrénées in 2010, then part of the Grand Site of Occitanie Cahors - Lot Valley.
- Elected French favorite village of Japanese travel agencies (with Riquewhir) in 2016.
1st favorite village of the French
True to his passion for the pearls of French heritage, Stéphane Bern launched in 2012 the first competition to elect the French people's favorite village.
Saint-Cirq Lapopie holds his attention, as well as that of the thousands of French people who voted for our little village.
The benefits were fantastic, notoriety increased tenfold and the village could thus share its charm and its treasures with many curious people.
The plaque commemorating this event is still visible on the pediment of the Tourist Office (on the right in height when looking at it).
Most beautiful village in France
This label exists since 1982 and Saint-Cirq Lapopie, with 65 other municipalities, obtained it in the 1st year.
Being labeled one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France is a rare privilege, it means offering an exceptional place to discover, it means always seducing thanks to a protected and enhanced heritage, it means celebrating "the French art of living" in an exceptional setting.
And let's leave the final word to the authors of the Official Guide to the Most Beautiful Villages of France, who have chosen to put Saint-Cirq Lapopie on the front page: "From the mound overlooking the Lot and the fortified church, Saint-Cirq remains a place of rare harmony between the site of the village, its architecture and its landscapes".
Around Saint-Cirq Lapopie
Around Saint-Cirq Lapopie, the opportunities for varied discovery are numerous:
Saint Cirq Cruises Lapopie
BOUZIES
The Lot and the Célé by canoe-kayak
The Cave of Pech Merle
Chateau Cenevieres
CENEVIERES
On the towpath from Bouziès to Saint-Cirq Lapopie
In the footsteps of André Breton
BOUZIES
Kalapca Leisure
BOUZIES
Chill-Lot Nature Activities
CENEVIERES