Montcuq, a lively village well worth a visit
Perched on a gentle hilltop in the Quercy Blanc region of southwest France, Montcuq is a charming medieval village just 45 minutes from the nearest motorway exits. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, unwind, and enjoy the peaceful countryside.
Montcuq may be hard to pronounce, but it’s easy to fall in love with, thanks to its warm welcome, rich heritage, and laid-back atmosphere. Montcuq and its friendly locals have a lot to offer.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit. ⬇️
What to see and do in Montcuq ?
THE VILLAGE AND ITS HERITAGE
Rue du Pla going down towards rue du Petit Rapporteur © Marion Carcel
Montcuq is a former fortified village built in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop by Raymond V, Count of Toulouse. It developed around its imposing keep, with narrow, winding lanes typical of medieval hilltop towns.
The village was shaped by a number of major conflicts in the Middle Ages: tensions between the Counts of Toulouse and the royal authorities, the Cathar crusades, the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion.
Today, Montcuq still boasts many remarkable medieval features that tell the story of its rich past.
Rue Montmartre, Montcuq © Sofia Da Silva
So the very first thing to do in Montcuq is simply to wander through its charming little streets, taking your time to admire the white stone houses, the half-timbered façades adorned with flowering plants, the colourful wooden shutters, the typical medieval windows, and all the small architectural details that give the village its unique character.
Here is a little walking route you can follow if you like :
- Start with rue du Petit Rapporteur. Here’s a fun challenge: before you leave the street, see if you can spot the statue of the petit Montcuquois! A hint: it’s a cheeky nod to Brussels’ Manneken Pis. 😉
- Next, turn left into rue Montmartre and stroll to the end of the street. If you feel like it, step inside the church of St Hilaire – interesting for its Gothic choir and colourful stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and St Hilaire.
- Go up the rue de l’Église, then turn right into the narrow rue du Tiradou – fair warning, it’s a bit of a climb! After that, take a left onto rue du Tour de la Vieille ville.
- Go down rue Droite, turn left and just a few steps later, take rue de l’Aste, followed by the narrow cobbled lane Lou carrierou pavat.
- Climb up to the tower to admire the panoramic view, and maybe visit it (more on that below). Finish your loop with a stroll down the pretty rue du Pla, which leads you back to where you started.
🍹 Go on, you’ve earned yourself a well-deserved break on a sunny terrace!
- Let’s continue the visit: walk along rue de la Promenade. Along the way, you’ll notice a few small side streets with charming, Occitan-inspired names, all hinting at their steep incline: rue du Pendillou, rue du Grimpadou, rue du Raidillou, rue du Coustalou, and rue de la Costo.At the end of rue de la Promenade, take rue de Maquelaze, and a few steps further, turn right into rue du Tombadou. Then turn right again — you’ll pass Rue du Rapaillou — and head down Rue de la Costo, which will bring you back to Rue de la Promenade.
To wrap up your tour of the village, head over to rue du Faubourg Saint-Privat. This part of Montcuq developed outside the village walls in the 15th century.
Walk up the street to the Saint-Privat church, which you can visit if you feel like it. Along the way, you’ll come across a number of shops that are well worth a stop:
- Privat Corner, a lovely lifestyle boutique;
- El Colibri, a gift and home decor shop (where I’ve found plenty of treasures for my gîte);
- Le Café Broc, a cosy café-meets-antique-shop where you can enjoy excellent teas and coffees with homemade cakes, biscuits, or pastries — and yes, everything around you is for sale!
To make the most of your visit, the local tourist office (located on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Privat) provides a free village guide with a map (sorry, it’s in French, but the map will come in handy). 🗺️
Rue du Pla going down towards rue du Petit Rapporteur © Marion Carcel
Rue Montmartre, Montcuq © Sofia Da Silva
The medieval village of Montcuq, dominated by its keep tower. The photo was taken on a Sunday, market day. © Lot Tourisme – Cyril Novello
After wandering through the narrow streets, climb up to the Tour de Montcuq, a 13th-century keep 24 metres high, the remains of a medieval fortress. Inside, you’ll find a number of exhibitions, including one on Montcuq in the Middle Ages.
Don’t forget to go up to the roof terrace to admire the panoramic view over the village and the typical Quercy Blanc landscapes.
The Tower is usually open from the end of May to the end of September.
MONTCUQ MARKETS
In Montcuq, the Sunday morning market is a must, and one of the most famous in the Lot département. It truly captures the relaxed lifestyle and friendly atmosphere that define the village.
You’ll find all the local specialities of the Quercy Blanc and the Lot, perfect for preparing a delicious lunch or picnic!
💡As it gets quite busy, especially in summer, I recommend parking near the fire station at the bottom of the village and walking up to the market. There’s a charming little footpath at the end of the car park that leads to the village centre — it brings you out onto Rue du Faubourg de Narces, just a few steps from the market stalls.
There’s also a second, quieter market on Thursday mornings in July and August: the local farmers’ market, featuring seasonal produce and regional delicacies.
The local farmers’ market in Montcuq © Lot Tourisme – C. Novello
ARTISTS & ARTISANS
Montcuq has attracted many artists and skilled artisans over the years. Don’t hesitate to stop by their workshops and galleries to discover their unique creations:
→ L’Atelier, 2 rue du Petit Rapporteur – home to the works of sculptor and engraver Hugo (who created the statue of the petit Montcuquois) and painter Pierre D’huparlac.
→ L’Atelier-Galerie le 10, 10 Allées des Platanes – a collective art space where several artists exhibit their work and host regular openings and events.
→ Atelier Hector, 4 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Privat – the studio of a local painter who frequently holds exhibitions.
→ 11 Prunes, 17 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Privat – a jewellery designer who creates beautiful handcrafted pieces.
→ L’Atelier du Dragon, 8 Rue de la Promenade – here, illustrator and pattern designer Rafaële Rohn showcases her handmade creations (hand-printed fabrics, jewellery, etc.), along with works by other local artisans in ceramics, leather goods, natural soaps, and more.
Where to eat and drink in Montcuq?
In Montcuq, you’ll find everything you need if you’re after a takeaway or picnic. The village has a bakery-patisserie, a butcher’s shop (which also offers deli items and prepared meals), two small supermarkets, and three pizzerias.
My personal recommendation: L’Atelier du Bongout, a local caterer offering freshly prepared seasonal dishes, made with regional ingredients — plus a lovely selection of local products to take home.
If you’d rather sit down and enjoy a meal on the spot, there’s plenty to choose from!
→ Délia is a restaurant and fine grocery shop that will delight fans of Italian cuisine..
→ Vins et Saveurs is a wine shop and delicatessen where you can enjoy regional dishes on site — perfect for lovers of southwest French flavours.
→ You can also grab a bite at one of the village cafés — Le Café du Centre or Le Café de France. The latter has a large, shaded terrace under an old chestnut tree.
→ Do you like tapas and pinchos? That’s possible too, at Restaurant le 6, where “authentic Irish hospitality meets international cuisine” (as they put it)!
→ For an afternoon treat, why not enjoy tea and cake surrounded by books (in French and in English) at Livres, Books & Company? Tucked away on one of Montcuq’s little side streets, this independent bookshop and tearoom is set in an old stone house with a shady garden terrace.
→ And let’s not forget Le Café Broc (mentioned earlier), where you can sip a cold brew or matcha, snack on a cookie or a slice of carrot cake — all while eyeing that vintage mirror you might just want to take home with you!
Local cheeses (ewe’s and goat’s cheese) and walnuts © L.BERTON pour Lot Tourisme
CULTURAL & FESTIVE EVENTS
We’ve already seen how local artists and artisans contribute to Montcuq’s vibrant cultural life, but that’s not all!
As well as selling books in French and English, the Livres, Books & Company bookshop (they forgot to change the date, but the diary is up to date), located in the heart of the village, organises events such as concerts, readings and exhibitions throughout the year.
Montcuq also hosts La Rue des Enfants, a joyful street arts festival held every September in the heart of Montcuq. For one weekend, the village transforms into an open-air stage with around 40 performances — from puppet shows and circus acts to storytelling and street theatre — all designed to delight children (aged 1 and over) and families. The highlight is often a free concert on Saturday evening under the festival tent. Local food and drink stalls feature regional produce and culinary partners. A great way to experience Montcuq’s artistic spirit in a friendly, vibrant atmosphere!
And if you’re curious to experience a traditional fête de village — the kind that defines summers in the southwest — don’t miss Montcuq’s fête votive, held every year around August 15th. Expect music, food, dancing, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere!
Outdoor activities around the village
MONTCUQ LAKE
Montcuq Lake © Lot Tourisme – C. Novello
Just a few minutes by car from the village (or a good half-hour walk), Montcuq Lake is a great spot for swimming and relaxing in nature. It has been awarded the Blue Flag for the quality of its emerald-green waters and its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Everything you need for a lovely day out is there: a white sand beach, shaded areas, a playground, a water play zone, picnic tables, and a seasonal restaurant (open from May to September).
Swimming is supervised during the summer season.
And yes — there are public toilets too!
Note: parking is paid during summer months, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
WALKS & HIKES
Quercy Blanc hiking trail © Lot Tourisme – C. Novello
The rolling hills of Quercy Blanc are ideal for hiking and nature walks. Many trails start directly from the village, whether you prefer a gentle stroll or a more active outing by mountain bike.
Montcuq is a also a stop on the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela on the Via Podiensis, which follows the GR 65 trail starting from Le Puy-en-Velay. You could very well do part of it during your stay!
🚵 Looking to explore on two wheels? Quercycles, located in the centre of Montcuq, offers bike rentals — including mountain bikes and e-bikes — for your adventures in the countryside.
🚗 Looking for things to do around Montcuq ?
Check out my ideas for outings and visits accessible within an hour and a half’s drive maximum.
Practical information for your visit
How to get to Montcuq
If you’re driving, the most accessible motorways are the A20 (Paris–Toulouse route) and the A62 (Bordeaux–Toulouse route).
- From Paris, take the Cahors-Nord exit — Montcuq is about 45 minutes from there.
- From Toulouse or Bordeaux, take the Castelsarrasin exit. After about 40 minutes of scenic driving through the Quercy Blanc countryside, you’ll reach Montcuq.
If you’re not travelling by car, the nearest airports are in Brive, Toulouse, and Bordeaux. From there, you can reach the train stations in Cahors (30 min from Montcuq), Montauban (50 min), or Agen (1 hour). To complete your journey to Montcuq, you’ll need to rent a car at the station or arrange other transport. If you’re arriving via Cahors, there’s also a regional liO bus service run by the Occitanie Region.
Where to park in Montcuq ?
During the warmer months, it can be tricky to park in the village centre. If no spaces are available, try Allée des Marronniers, the car park behind the fire station, or the small car park below the tower on the Esplanade Nino Ferrer.
Montcuq isn’t just a pretty medieval village that’s well worth a visit! It’s also a lively and welcoming place, with everything you need for a relaxing holiday in the Lot.
If I’ve inspired you to come and visit Montcuq,
feel free to get in touch!
🏡 I’d be happy to welcome you to my eco-friendly gite, Le Perchoir du Quercy — a peaceful hideaway nestled on a hillside facing the village. It’s the perfect base for a relaxing break in the heart of nature, just a stone’s throw from Montcuq!
Treat yourself to an unforgettable stay at Le Perchoir du Quercy !