Douelle RETURN via St-Cirq-Lapopie 7-Night Itinerary
This suggested itinerary covers all of the main highlights of this stunning region. You’ll start by exploring the bustling and ancient city of Cahors and end up in the beautiful village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, perched high upon the craggy clifftops overlooking the majestic river. In between, you’ll cruise through rocky ravines, explore prehistoric caves, sample local wines and dine in a splendid château.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive at base
2pm – 5pm
Once you have arrived at your scheduled appointment time for check-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. A boat technician will then familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.
Explore Douelle
5pm – 6:30pm
If you’ve some time to explore once you’ve settled in, take a stroll around the town and enjoy a late afternoon wine tasting at the Domaine Le Passelys’ estate, known for their wide range of Cahors, rosé and white wine.
Top tip: Proxi-Épicerie du Vieux is the perfect stop to stock up on fresh groceries and local essentials before you begin your cruise.
Dinner at Chez Malique, L’Auberge du Vieux Douelle
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy delicious, local food at this charming family-run spot. Situated in one of the oldest buildings in Douelle, and just a 10-minute walk from our base, enjoy exquisite tapas on their shady terrace. For bookings: +33 (0)5 65 20 02 03
Overnight Douelle
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Douelle > Cahors
9am – 12noon
Approx. 3hrs | 5 locks
As you set off from Douelle, upstream of the attractive suspension bridge, you can’t miss Europe’s largest mural painting by Chamizo, representing the history of Cahors wine.
Lunch at Les Petits Producteurs, Cahors
12:30pm – 2pm
The perfect place for a lunchtime pitstop, just behind the cathedral. However, you may struggle to get a table as this place is very popular… and for good reason. The giant, tasty salads and the locally produced wines; delicious fois gras, truffles and top-quality local produce are all second to none. They close at 7pm, so don’t save this place until dinner. For bookings: +33 (0)5 65 31 26 24 | lespetitsproducteurs.fr
Explore Cahors
2pm – 6:30pm
Cahors is sure to be one of the highlights of your cruise. A city of art and history, Cahors is also famous for its vineyards and gastronomy, particularly truffles and foie gras. Have fun following the ‘Jardins Secrets’ route; there are around thirty gardens to explore, or take the small train which departs from the Valentré Bridge. You can also visit the bridge by yourself or book a guided tour: www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/ Of course, the best view is from the river as you arrive into town.
Dinner at La Balinaise, Cahors
7:30pm – 9:30pm
This highly-rated restaurant serves exquisite and beautifully presented Indonesian food. With only 20 tables and a lovely, cozy atmosphere, this hidden gem is tucked away in a quiet side street near the cathedral – you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to make a reservation: +33 (0)9 52 35 07 39 | labalinaise.fr
Overnight in Cahors
Top tip!
Cahors Market: If you happen to find yourself in Cahors on a Wednesday or Saturday morning,don’t miss the Cahors Market (located at the foot of Saint-Etienne cathedral on Place Chapou). With 60 to 100 stalls, you’ll find local treasures like Malbec AOP wine Cahors, Rocamadour cabécou cheese, pastis quercynois cake, walnuts, truffles, saffron, and the well-loved foie gras from the South West.
Fun fact: it was crowned the Most Beautiful Market in Midi-Pyrénées in 2018! A foodie’s dream come true.
If you’re not able to visit Cahors on a market day, you’ll equally enjoy Les Halles de Cahors, tucked just beneath the Saint-Étienne Cathedral on Place St-Maurice.
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Cahors > Vers
9am – 12:30pm
Approx. 3hrs 30mins | 5 locks
Lunch on board, Vers
12:30pm – 2pm
Enjoy a picnic lunch on your sundeck while admiring the stunning scenery that surrounds you. If your boat has a barbecue (or you’ve added one to your booking), fire it up and cook al fresco. Bon appetite!
Explore Vers
2pm – 6:30pm
Admire the gray-white limestone cliffs that are tinted with ochre and which give extraordinary colors at sunrise and sunset. The art gallery near the port displays oil and pastel paintings depicting scenes of the Lot Valley. 2.5km from Vers (35-minute by foot or a 20 minute bike ride), you’ll find the Delfour biscuit factory and museum. This family owned factory has been in business for 5 generations and has produced 35 traditional recipes based on the produce of the region. Learn about their remarkable histroy and sample their unique crunchy almond biscuits, walnut cakes (PDO Périgord) and chestnut bites.
Dinner at La Truite Dorée, Vers
7:30pm – 9:30pm
This family-run restaurant has been passed down through five generations and is known for its consistently good cuisine, offering a varied menu at reasonable prices. Enjoy your meal al fresco on the beautiful terrace or inside the homely space of this popular local restaurant/hotel. For bookings: +33 (0)5 65 31 41 51 | latruitedoree.fr
Overnight in Vers
Breakfast on board
7am -8am
Vers > Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
8am – 12noon
Approx. 4hrs | 5 locks
Lunch at Le Cantou, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
12:30pm – 2pm
This local gem is highly-rated for its reasonably priced food among a few other overpriced tourist-traps in the village. The restaurant’s terrace has a beautiful view of the village’s medieval streets. Bookings are advised: +33 (0)5 65 35 59 03
Explore Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
2pm – 5pm
One of the main stops on your vacation, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is deservingly classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. With 13 listed buildings to choose from, the medieval village has conserved its heritage and retained an irresistible charm. Below the ruins of the fortress, there are many beautiful old houses built from stone or wood between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie > Bouziès
5pm – 6pm
Approx. 1hr | 2 locks
Explore Bouziès
6pm – 7pm
A short distance from Bouziès, also carved into the rock, is a 30 meter ‘fresco’ of impressive sculptures by the artist Daniel Monnier – well worth a walk to, from the town.
Dinner at Les Falaises, Bouziès
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy a fuss-free, local meal in a homely environment. For bookings: +33 (0)5 65 31 26 83
Overnight in Bouziès
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Cycle to Cabrerets
9am – 9:30am
Enjoy a 25-minute cycle to the north of the river to visit Cabrerets (6km away) and the caves of Peche Merle. If you haven’t added bike rental to your booking, you could call for a taxi – or you’ll get there in one hour 30 mins by foot.
Explore Cabrerets
9:30am – 12noon
The village of Cabrerets is dominated by a medieval fortress, although its centerpiece is the imposing Château de Cabrerets. Unfortunately, it is closed to the public for most of the year, but worth a visit to see the exterior. Near the village, be sure to visit the impressive Pech Merle caves, discovered by three young boys in 1922 and the site of ancient drawings of prehistoric woolly mammoths, horses and reindeer, many of which date back to 30,000 BC. The stalagmites and other cave formations are also quite beautiful. Booking is essential: +33 (0)5 65 31 27 05 | pechmerle.com. To reach the caves, take the pedestrian path which starts behind the village church.
Lunch at La Roue, Cabrerets
12noon – 1:30pm
Enjoy a beautifully presented lunch on the terrace of La Roue: +33 (0)5 65 22 91 79
Cycle back to your boat in Bouziès
1:30pm – 2pm
Bouziès > Arcambal
2pm – 6:10pm
Approx. 4hrs 10mins | 6 locks
Dinner at Les Aromates, Arcambal
7pm – 9pm
For bookings: +33 (0)5 65 23 05 25
Overnight in Arcambal
For families with younger children
Bouziès: Instead of going to Cabrerets, stay in Bouziès where Kalapca Loisirs offers a range of outdoor activities, such as canyoning, caving, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, for all ages above 6 years old. +33 (0)5 65 24 21 01
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Explore Laroque-des-Arcs
9am – 10:30am
A walk around this small and peaceful village is a delight. The Saint-Roch chapel stands lonely on a clifftop overlooking the village. The views from here are spectacular and worth the uphill climb.
Laroque-des-Arcs > Pradines
10:30am – 1pm
Approx. 2hrs 30mins | 4 locks
Lunch at Chez Marie, Pradines
1pm – 2pm
At Chez Marie, everyone will find something delicious. The menu varies from classic Italian specials to traditional French cuisine. +33 (0)5 81 70 47 10
Explore Pradines
2pm – 4:30pm
This charming village, surrounded by verdant forest, is full of history and has some pretty churches to visit.
Pradines > Mercuès
4pm – 4:30pm
Approx. 30mins | 0 locks
Explore Mercuès
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Moor on the right bank upstream of the lock. From the pontoon, you can reach the village center by a path, that is 2km long and signposted. Mercuès Castle, which dominates the town and dates from the 7th century, was for centuries the summer residence of Cahors counts and bishops. Today, it is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant. You can also visit the cellar and taste six vintage wines from the castle.
Dinner at Le Château de Mercuès, Mercuès
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Dinner at Le Duèze Restaurant in Le Château de Mercuès is a real royal experience: Enjoy Michelin-starred food in authentic a historical setting. +33 (0)5 65 20 00 01 | chateaudemercues.com
If the Château’s restaurant is not serving while you are there, or if you prefer something less fancy, the artisan pizzas and fine desserts at Pizz & Patiss also come highly recommended and won’t disappoint: +33 (0)5 65 22 21 41 | pizzetpatiss.com
Overnight in Mercuès
For families with younger children
Pradines: Close to the moorings, Cap Nature Pradines offers tree climbing, zip-wires, and paintballing, or you can rent a canoe or try your hand at water sports including water-skiing, wakeboarding, or being pulled along on an inflatable! 05 65 222 512 | capnature.eu/pradines
Cap Nature offers preferential rates for Emerald Star customers.
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Mercuès > Caillac
9:30am – 12pm
Approx. 2hrs 30mins | 1 lock
12noon – 1:30pm
Enjoy a wide range of delicious flavors in Le Vinois. The restaurant offers both Asian & European cuisine. +33 (0)5 65 30 53 60 | www.levinois.com
Explore Caillac
1:30pm – 3:30pm
The Lagrézette vineyards surround the beautifully-restored 15th century château. Visitors are welcome at the cellars, where you can sample different vintages in the presence of an expert. Book a 1 hour ‘Discovery Workshop’ by calling: +33 (0) 5 65 20 07 42 | chateau-lagrezette.com
Caillac > Douelle
3:30pm – 4pm
Approx. 30mins | 0 locks
Explore Douelle
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Douelle has played an important role in the history of the Lot River since the Middle Ages, and was once the largest port for shipping traffic. For many years, wine barrels were manufactured here to be shipped to Bordeau; the current Port dates back to the 19th century. Douelle itself was famous for its skilled boatmen. If you visit the church, you will get to see the reproduction of a famous boat: a 19th century frigate with cannons hanging from the vault. It is a reminder of the sinking of the “Sémillante”, a vessel which carried 705 soldiers as reinforcements during the Crimean War, accompanied by Abbé Carrières, a native of Douelle.
Partake in Douelle’s rich wine history by visiting either one of these local favourites for a tasting: Domain Le Passelys (+33 5 65 20 05 76) | passelys.com or Le Chene Rond | brasserieduchene.fr
Dinner at Les Mariniers, Douelle
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy fresh, home-cooked food, including a daily selection of fish, in the cozy garden of this restuarant in the heart of Douelle. They also have a small shop stocked with specialties from the south-west and a selection of Cahors wines. To book: 05 65 20 02 06 or 06 80 06 11 26
Breakfast on board
7:30am – 8:30am
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before tidying and vacating your boat by 9am (unless you have booked and paid for a late-checkout)
Depart Douelle
9am
10 night alternative
With an extra three nights on board, you’ll have time to continue past Saint-Cirq-Lapopie as far as the charming village of Larnagol – which is a further 2.5 hours further east along the river. On the way, you can stop in Cénevières where the owners of the château will be delighted to tell you about its history on a guided tour. You’ll take in the 13th century dungeons and chapel, as well as the Italian-style gallery and frescoed ceilings. You can book a tour at: chateau-cenevieres.com. From Cénevières, you can also take a 10 minute cycle ride (or a 25 minute walk) to the small hamlet of La Toulzanie (2km away) which is studded with ancient troglodyte houses hewn into the cliffs. You’ll feel like you’re on a film set!
A 10 night trip will also allow you time to cruise further west of our base. Just another 1 hour from Caillac you’ll reach Luzech, where you’ll enjoying strolling through the medieval streets. The dungeons, the Gothic church and the Romanesque church are all worth finding.
This itinerary is a suggestion only
This suggested itinerary is an indication of what could be accomplished, and your ability to accomplish it, is not a contractual obligation of Le Boat. Emerald Star is unable to guarantee when your pre-departure briefing will take place and in some cases it will not be given until the morning after your arrival. In these instances, you will need to adapt the itinerary outlined to accommodate a later departure. All cruising distances and times are approximations and are subject to local navigation restrictions at the time you cruise, planned or otherwise, which may also require you to deviate from the itinerary shown. Please check advertised opening times of sights, attractions and restaurants to avoid disappointment – some may need to be booked in advance. All meals, entry fees and tour tariffs are payable at your own expense. Attractions, restaurants and even locks and/or stretches of the waterway may be closed or can close without notice.
We’d love to hear from you
We’ve tried our very best to ensure the accuracy of the information we’ve provided. If you have followed all or some of this itinerary and have found something isn’t quite right, or perhaps you have some helpful tips and pointers that we could add which might be useful to your fellow boaters, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at: itineraries@leboat.com
Image credits
Douelle: Torsade de Pointes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Common | Vers, Cabrerets, Chamizo Mural & Pont-Valentré from above: © Lot Tourisme C. Novello | Pont-Valentré arch: © Lot Tourisme Teddy_Verneuil & C. Novello| Bouziès: ©Lot Tousime C. Seguy | Chapelle Saint Roch & Toll Tower: Torsade de Pointes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons | Lagrézette vineyards: By P. Danilo Royet (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons