DISCOVER THE AMAZING DIVERSITY OF LANDSCAPES IN OUR REGION

MONTSALVY / TRUYERE GORGES
Montsalvy / Mur-de-Barrez / Entraygues-sur-Truyère. 120 km.

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MONTSALVY: Town dating from the 11th century establishment of a monastery, a hospice and a church. The town was fortified in the Middle Ages and takes its name from “Mons Salvi” (Survivors' mountain) or “Mons Salvitatis” (Mountain of rescue) due to the shelter it offered pilgrims on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route. Don't miss its two fortified entranceways, the Monks' Refectory and the Abbey. Take the direction towards Pons and continue until you get to Couesques.
Take the road to Saint-Hippolyte and continue until you get to Lacroix-Barrez. Go right towards Valon.

VALON: A 12th century castle built on a rocky outcrop standing between two deep gorges, and overlooking the Truyére and the schist-stone village.
Leave Valon and take the direction towards Lacroix-Barrez. Continue till you get to Mur-de-Barrez.
Alternative: you can also go via Montézic, St Amans des Côts, Bez Bédène, and then Entraygues.

MUR-DE-BARREZ: Ancient domain of the Princes of Monaco in the 17th century as witnessed by the Grimaldi Tower. Contact the Tourist Office to arrange a visit.
Take the direction towards the Sarrans dam.

SARRANS DAM: Built in the 1930s, the dam stands 105 m high. There is a panoramic viewpoint above the dam. A range of water sports are available on the reservoir.
Continue to Sainte-Geneviève-sur-Argence, then take the road to Saint-Gervais (D. 111). This takes you through the Benaven Gorges.

MONNES: Between Saint-Gervais and Montézic. Take the time to discover the Saut-du-Chien waterfall (signposted nature trail).
Take the road to Montézic, and then towards Saint-Amans-des-Cots where you will join up with the D. 34 up to Volonzac. Take a detour here to see Bez-Bédène.

BEZ-BEDENE: This superb site, a former priory (hermitage established in the mid-11th century by the future Saint Gausbert) perches on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Selve river.
Go back to the D. 34 and follow it to Entraygues.

ENTRAYGUES-SUR-TRUYERE: Located on an alluvial plain at the junction between the Lot and Truyère rivers, its name means 'between two rivers'. Stop here to see a 13th century Gothic-style bridge and a chateau dating from the 13th and 17th centuries.
Return to Montsalvy.

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MAURS / CELE AND LOT VALLEYS
Maurs / Figeac / Cabrerets / Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. 150 km.

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MAURS: A southern-style town located at the southern-most point of the Cantal, "la petite Nice" has retained the nearly perfectly circular shape of its ramparts, now the site of the shady 'round the town' walk.
Don't miss: the 14th century Gothic-style Saint Césaire Abbey and the gilded 12th century reliquary bust of Saint Césaire, one of the jewels of Romanesque art. Contact the Tourist Office for further information.
Take the road to Figeac.

FIGEAC: Town renowned for its art and history; an authentic outdoor museum where you can still see remains of the civil and religious architecture of the Middle Ages. Birthplace of the famous Egyptologist J.F. Champollion. Don't miss the Old Figeac historic centre and Saint-Sauveur church which still has its original Benedictine church foundations.
Head towards Cahors, 3 km after the Figeac exit turn left and follow the D. 41 along the "Célé Valley”.

ESPAGNAC-SAINTE-EULALIE: Augustine priory in Val-Paradis (13th century), picturesque 15th century bell-tower; the priory houses a set of wall-niched tombs; an architectural wonder hidden deep within the Célé Valley.
Continue down the Célé Valley.

MARCILHAC-SUR-CELE: Attractive village in a remarkable setting at the base of spectacular cliffs. Panoramic viewpoints from the Route de Pailhès and the Rocher de la Devèze. Don't miss: the Bellevue Grotto or the 12th century abbey where you can still see some very beautiful structures dating from Medieval times.

SAULIAC-SUR-CELE: Visit the Quercy-Cuzals open-air museum: two old farms (dating from the Ancien Regime and the 19th century) together with their crops, animals and 25 theme-based museums which present a comprehensive overview of rural life.

CABRERETS: Set into the cliff face, the ruins of the troglodytic Chateau du Diable (Devil's Castle) are the remains of one of the oldest buildings still standing from Medieval times in the Lot. Close by, you can see the Pech-Merle grotto, one of the most stirring paleolithic cave art sites.
Continue on until you reach the Lot Valley.

BOUZIES: You now arrive in the Lot Valley where you will see a high cliff peppered with grottos, some of which served as shelters back in prehistoric times; the largest grotto, the 'Chateau des Anglais', is fortified with a crenellated wall.
Drive back up the Lot Valley.

SAINT-CIRQ-LAPOPIE: One of the most beautiful villages in France; the whole village is listed as a Historic Monument. Perched on a cliff looking out over the Lot river, the village delights visitors with its ancient picturesque paved streets. Don't miss: the Rignault Museum, the Maison de la Fourdonne, the Musée de la Mémoire du village (local history museum).

GENEVIERES: Chateau dating from the 13th, 14th and 16th centuries; remodelled into a Renaissance residence.

CAJARC: Several dolmens, the Maison de l’Hébrardie (13th century), and the chapel of a former leper-house (13th century). Don't miss: the Rail Museum and the European Centre for Contemporary Art.
Continue along the D.622; don't forget to stop off to see the Saut de la Mounine (impressive cliff and spectacular panoramic views over the Lot river) and Faycelles (dolmens, relics of the ancient ramparts, 5th century burial ground, mineral water fountain). Return to Figeac, and then Maurs.

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ST-MAMET / MONTS DU CANTAL
Saint-Mamet / Puy-Mary / Salers / Tournemire. 150 km.
(Note: controlled access to the Puy-Mary for cars, camping-cars and lorries; information at: Lascelles Gendarmerie on +33 (0)4 71 47 92 02)

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SAINT-MAMET: Panoramic viewpoint over the Châtaigneraie and the Monts du Cantal at the Saint-Laurent site.
Take the road to Aurillac, stop at Sansac-de-Marmiesse to visit the Maison du Bâti (local heritage museum). Continue to Aurillac.

AURILLAC: The town has centuries of history. Take the time to wander through the town's ancient streets and discover its museums (Musée d’Art et d’Archéologie, Musée des Volcans). Contact the Tourist Office for guided tours of the town or for further information.
Take the road to Saint-Simon and the Puy-Mary.

SAINT-SIMON: You are now in the Jordanne Valley. See the ancient defensive tower of the Saint-Géraud Abbey next to the church.

BELLIAC: Birthplace of the shepherd Gerbert, who became Pope "Sylvestre II" in the year one thousand. Educated by the monks at Saint-Géraud Abbey, Gerbert travelled throughout Europe and was to go down in history as a mathematician, physician, astronomer and musician.
Just past Belliac on your left, Oyez Chateau (15th and 16th centuries) perched on a feudal hill.

LASCELLES: Here you can see a Romanesque church and its small-roofed bell-wall set on the chancel arch. Historical sources indicate the building would have been a "cella" during the 4th century, giving the town its name "Lascelles". There is a whole series of burial places below ground; above the windows of the apse there is a black band stamped with coats of arms that would have been painted for the burial of an important person; an attractive altarpiece and tabernacle and a canopy dating from 1644, and remodelled during the 18th century.
Continue towards the Puy-Mary; After Mandailles don't miss: the Luc waterfall, the typical alignement of houses in Rudez, information panel at the Grand Tournant with views over the Puy-Griou (centre point of the Cantal volcano).

PAS-DE-PEYROL PASS (1589 m): While driving up the pass, you will be able to admire the magnificent Mandailles glacial valley. At the top of the pass, you can climb up to the summit of Puy-Mary
(1787 m) from which you can look down over the whole of the Cantal volcano (largest volcano in Europe at 70 km in diameter). Stay on the path, and do not pick any flowers, which are mostly protected species.
Follow the sign to Salers (D. 680), as you go down you will drive through the magnificent Falgoux forest, cross the Néronne pass (views over the Puy-Violent
(1592 m) and the Maronne Valley).

SALERS: This Medieval town is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Discover its stunning architecture and characteristic houses. This attractive set of old houses has made Salers famous as the "Jewel of the Haute-Auvergne" (church, Maison des Templiers, Maison du Bailliage, Maison de la Ronade, etc.). Contact the Tourist Office for information on tours.
Take the road to Aurillac.

SAINT-CHAMANT: Visit the chateau: 14th century tower, main building dating from the 17th century. Wall tapestries from Flanders and Aubusson.
Continue towards Aurillac; when you get to Saint-Cernin, take a detour to your left (D 160) up to Tournemire.

TOURNEMIRE: Picturesque little village listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, overlooked by the 15th century Anjony Castle. Stop off to visit this square castle flanked by four round towers, which is characteristic of the mountain fortresses built at this time. A more comfortable main building was added on during the 18th century. The interiors are richly decorated with frescoes and some remarkable pieces of furniture.
Continue on to Aurillac and go back to Saint-Mamet.

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