What to do & see around Montcuq-en-Quercy-Blanc ?
Montcuq is in the south of the Lot département, about thirty kilometres from Cahors and a hundred from Toulouse. You might wonder what to do around this small village, which seems to be lost in the Lot countryside…
If you’re staying for a weekend, Montcuq is the ideal place to relax and enjoy nature and definitely worth a visit ! Just wander through the narrow streets of the village, stop for an ice cream or a drink on the terrace of a café. In summer, walk down to the lake to cool off in its turquoise waters. All year round, go for a walk and admire the colours of nature.
If you’re staying for a few days, why not explore our beautiful region? With its rich heritage, surprising locations and varied outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in the Quercy!
You’ll find a small selection below.⤵️
Visit must-see sites around Montcuq
Lauzerte © ADT de Tarn-et-Garonne
LAUZERTE
a 10-minute drive
This peaceful hilltop village in the Tarn-et-Garonne département, with its many medieval white stone houses, has been listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages for its rich heritage and architecture.
The raised corner of the magnificent Place des Cornières, created by the ceramist Jacques Buchholtz, will not leave you indifferent.
Every Saturday morning, a very pleasant little market takes place on this square.
Don’t miss the views from the Barbacane and the Jardin du Pèlerin!
CAHORS AND THE LOT VALLEY LOT
25 minutes away by car.
Cahors, the capital of the Lot department, is a town with a rich historical heritage.
Stroll through its medieval streets and don’t forget to visit the famous medieval bridge, the Pont Valentré, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Will you be able to find the devil hanging from one of the stones, ready to tell you his legend?
It’s always a good idea to visit Cahors on market days!
And don’t forget to taste some Cahors wine!
Afterwards, why not take a drive through the Lot Valley and admire the villages and landscapes as the river meanders by?
Sunset on Cahors © Teddy Verneuil pour Lot Tourisme
Cloître de Moissac © ADT de Tarn-et-Garonne
MOISSAC
only 40 minutes away by car.
Moissac is a popular destination in the neighbouring département of Tarn-et-Garonne. Many tourists come here to admire the magnificent Romanesque cloister of the 12th century abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town is also well worth a visit for its many Art Deco buildings, built after the Tarn flood of 1930.
ST-CIRQ-LAPOPIE & LA GROTTE DE PECH MERLE
1 hour away by car.
One of the most popular villages in France, St-Cirq-Lapopie offers breathtaking views over the River Lot from its rocky outcrop.
Step back in time to the Middle Ages as you wander its narrow streets, home to many artists and craftspeople.
Finish your visit with a stroll along the magnificent towpath carved into the cliffs by the River Lot, or admire the village from a gabarre (a flat-bottomed boat).
The Pech Merle cave is not far away and really worth a visit: it’s home to an extraordinary collection of prehistoric paintings!
Vue sur St-Cirq-Lapopie © Émilie Ruffat pour Lot Tourisme
Décollage de montgolfière à Rocamadour © Teddy Verneuil pour Lot Tourisme
ROCAMADOUR & LE GOUFFRE DE PADIRAC
1 hour 15 minutes by car.
Rocamadour, a medieval town perched on an impressive cliff overlooking the Alzou gorges, is a real highlight of the Lot.
It has been one of the world’s most important pilgrimage sites since the Middle Ages, making it a destination steeped in history.
There are numerous footpaths from which you can admire the beauty of the site from viewpoints.
You can complete your excursion with one of the many nearby activities, such as Le Rocher des Aigles or the Forêt des Singes. Don’t miss the Gouffre de Padirac, a natural wonder only 8 km away.
Other things to do around Montcuq : lots of outdoor activities!
The “Rocher Pointu” hike, in Saint-Géry © Cyril Novello for Lot Tourisme
HIKING
If you set out on foot, you’ll discover an exceptional rural and natural heritage. From gariottes (stone huts) to chapels, from low stone walls to windmills, from fountains to viewpoints, from woods to sunflower fields, from truffle fields to vineyards… The landscapes of the Quercy Blanc, and the Lot in general, are ideal for walking in the heart of nature. As a keen walker, I’ll be able to show you the most suitable routes for your tastes and level of ability.
There are many possible routes starting from Montcuq. In fact, Montcuq is located on the Way of St. James on the Via Podiensis, the path that follows the GR 65 and starts in Le Puy-en-Velay. Why not make it a stopover? The Cahors-Montcuq path, or the next one leading to Lauzerte!
A river beach in Cabrerets © C. Seguy for Lot Tourisme
SWIMMING IN NATURAL WATERS
When temperatures start to rise, there’s nothing like going for a swim to cool off.
In Montcuq, we are lucky to have a lake, just a few minutes’ drive from the village (or 30 minutes on foot).
But you can also swim in the river during your excursions in the Lot: there are many river beaches along the Lot and Célé rivers.
For swimming in the Lot, the closest beaches to Montcuq are in Luzech, Castelfranc, Puy-Lévêque and Douelle.
And if you go to St-Cirq-Lapopie, take the opportunity to cool off in the waters of the Célé, in Cabrerets and Sauliac!
Cruise on a gabare in St-Cirq-Lapopie © Lot Tourisme – E. Ruffat
CRUISES ON THE LOT
From spring to autumn, several companies offer boat trips on the River Lot, which is navigable for 160 km on either side of Cahors, between Luzech and St-Cirq-Lapopie.
The guided cruise around Cahors allows you to discover the history and architecture of the city and enjoy unique views of Cahors’ heritage, notably the Pont Valentré bridge.
You can embark on a lunch cruise between Cahors and St-Cirq-Lapopie, and take the time to contemplate the river and the landscapes before visiting one of the most beautiful villages in France.
In St-Cirq-Lapopie, you can take a trip on a gabare (traditional flat-bottomed boat). Several options are available, including a “pirate” cruise for children and a “hiking cruise” that combines a one-hour boat trip between Saint-Cirq and Bouziès with a walk back along a magnificent towpath.
West of Cahors, you can admire the beauty of the medieval village of Puy-l’Évêque and the surrounding landscapes aboard an electric barge.
Canoë en Vallée du Célé © C. Asquier pour Lot Tourisme
CANOEING
Canoeing is an excellent way to discover the wonderful wild landscapes that surround us and an original way to bond with family and friends.
Whether on the Lot, just 20 minutes from here, or in the Célé valley, less than an hour away, there are several routes waiting to take you on sensational descents that are safe and accessible to all.
These are often lined by small pebble beaches, perfect places to stop for a swim or a picnic.
Discover the local gastronomy
Quercy Blanc is blessed with an abundance of local produce. You can, of course, find and sample these products at the markets, but why not visit the producers on their own premises? There are several around Montcuq who would be delighted to show you their work.
THE LOCAL MARKETS
Melons at Cahors’s market © Cyril Novello – Lot Tourisme
Sundays in Montcuq, Wednesdays in Lauzerte, Fridays in Prayssac, Wednesdays and Saturdays in Cahors… So many opportunities to soak up the cheerful atmosphere of south-western France and sample the specialities of Quercy: truffles, melons, Rocamadour cheese, pastis, Cahors wine, and more.
Don’t miss the gourmet markets on sunny days, some of which take place in the evening: you can enjoy local products at tables provided for you, in a friendly atmosphere!
WINE TASTING
Château de Chambert Floressas © C. Seguy – Lot Tourisme
Montcuq is just a few kilometres from the vineyards of the renowned Cahors wine (AOC), where some estates even produce organic wine.
Many winemakers organise vineyard tours and tastings. A few kilometres from Montcuq are Le Clos Troteligotte in Villesèque, le Château de Chambert near Floressas (which can be seen in the photo), and Château Ponzac in Carnac-Rouffiac.
Quercy Blanc also produces Coteaux du Quercy wine (AOC), fruity red and rosé wines. Domaine du Foussal in Saint-Pantaléon, a few kilometres from Montcuq, welcomes you in the evening for a wine tasting accompanied by a duck-based snack.
I recommend you go and meet these passionate and fascinating people.
OTHER LOCAL PRODUCERS
Lavandin à Terre de Montcuq © Nathalie Mayonnade – Le Perchoir du Quercy
If you are around Montcuq between mid-June and mid-July, don’t miss the opportunity to take a stroll through a lavender field!
→ You can do this at Terre de Montcuq: I’ve tried it and highly recommend it! This family-run farm grows lavender, produces honey and essential oils, and makes artisan pasta under the Patapaul brand.
→ Le Mas de l’Essentiel estate in Villesèque also offers tours of its lavender fields and soap-making workshops.
Why not visit a farm and taste some delicious local fruit?
→ Apples, plums, grapes, peaches, juice and fruit pretzels at Les Vergers de Montcuq.
→ Hazelnuts in all shapes and sizes at Quercy’Noise !
If you like truffles, head to Lebreil (one of the villages that make up the commune of Montcuq-en-Quercy-Blanc), to Truffes Noires de Montcuq, to visit the truffle fields and, if you wish, taste the truffles!
There are even olive trees in Quercy Blanc! A few kilometres north of Montcuq, the Oliveraie du Quercy Blanc offers tours of the olive grove and tastings of its oils.
And finally, to find out how Rocamadour cabécous (those little typical goat cheeses) are made, the Ferme de Laspeyrières, located in Belmontet (another village in Montcuq-en-Quercy-Blanc), will show you its expertise and you can leave with some delicious little cheeses.
Fancy spending your holidays in Montcuq and exploring the charming Quercy Blanc?
Why not stay at my unique eco-friendly gîte, the Perchoir du Quercy, a wooden house with a Nordic bath, sleeping up to 8 guests, set on a hillside just opposite the village!
Imagine the view from the terrace… or from the spa! 😍
Treat yourself to an unforgettable stay at Le Perchoir du Quercy!