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Hewn in the rock between Saint-Cirq Lapopie and Bouziès, along the river, let yourself be surprised by this hiking trail, a marvel in nature, created by man.
Let yourself be seduced by this charming walk listening to the birdsong, the calm of the water and the view of a resplendent nature while letting you be guided by the red and white markup...
A walk in the time of sailors
The walk starts at the nautical stop of Saint Cirq Lapopie or at the port of Bouziès for 10 km round trip of discovery and enchantment. While following the lot river, you will see a first lock, that of the medieval village, then a second, the lock of Ganil and it is at this moment when the cliff drops steeply to water level, that at been dug the rock over 300m long and 2m high. You will then discover the vision of this environment according to a Toulouse artist who sculpted the bas-relief in the side of the path in his own way.
However, it is possible to start the walk from the center of the village, the path will be a little more stony but just as pleasant for 8 km round trip.
If you only want to reach the dug rock and stroll in front of the Monnier sculptures, departure is planned from the Bouziès car park (€3 per day) up to the Ganil lock, you will then have traveled 3km round trip .
No difficulty for this 2h-2h30 return hike, you follow the river so it's flat. However, bring sports or walking shoes, it will be more comfortable. The only small difficulty will be the climb to the village of Saint-Cirq Lapopie for 10 short minutes.
In July - August, you have the possibility of going one way by boat and returning on foot by the towpath, in one direction or the other.
You will find this "Croisière Rando" at the cruises of Saint-Cirq Lapopie.
A bit of history along the way
Built in 1845 by men, the towpath was used by horses to allow barges or flat-bottomed boats to go up the currents loaded with goods on their return from Bordeaux.
The products loaded for export were rather wines from Cahors, dried plums but also the productions of wood turners and more precisely the taps of wine barrels, which were then exchanged for food and other products once at their destination, before going up by the river.
In 1926, the Lot was declassified as a navigable river and redeveloped for pleasure boating since 1990.
Steps :
From the Bouziès car park
Sculpture "M the mammoth"
Gift of artists Eric Manes-Malmon and Yvan Mathis; sculpture created in July 2013 as part of the Association M le mammoth, installed in Bouziès in July 2016.
Old railway bridge
Beginning of the excavated part
Sculptures by Daniel Monnier
Daniel Monnier undertakes shortly before a new development, the realization of the bas-relief in the dug side of the towpath. He presents in his own way the environment of the river, its fauna, its flora and its fossils.
Ganil Lock
Village of Saint-Cirq Lapopie
Discover this village camped on its rocky outcrop above the river: panorama, medieval history, artists, gastronomy... everything is gathered here.