St Cirq Lapopie | Things to See and Do in Saint Cirq Lapopie
Saint Cirq Lapopie
The village of Saint Cirq Lapopie is perched on a cliff 100 m above the Lot river and is one of the major beauty spots of the Lot valley. It is a designated Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
The location was originally selected for it defensive position. In the Middle Ages, Saint Cirq Lapopie was the main town of one of the four viscountcies that made up Quercy.
Saint Cirq Lapopie is on the pilgrim route known as the way of St James which takes pilgrims to St James Cathedral in Cahors.
The village was dominated by a fortress made up of a number of castles and towers.
Below the fortress, the village streets lead down to fortified gates. Many historic houses have stone or half-timbered fronts going back to the 13th-16th centuries.
Post-Impressionist Henri Martin, moved to the village and became popular with many other artists including writer Andre Breton.
In times past the streets were named for the trades and crafts that took place in that street. Today some of this tradition has remained with hide merchants in the Rue de la Pélissaria and metalworkers in the Rue Payrolerie
Beneath the Saint Cirq Lapopie cliff there are watermills, weirs, harbours, locks and towpath to recall the days when river transport was the glory of the Lot Valley.
Saint Cirq Lapopie is 30 km east of Cahors.
Things to See and Do in St Cirq Lapopie
Rignault Museum
Built in the 15th century this historic building no houses temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
Terraced Gardens – Breathtaking views over the Lot Valley.
Castle- Beautiful Gothic Church – Open July 1-September 15
Art Exhibitions in a 16th century mansion
Musée de la Mémoire du Village
Housing tools, information and exhibits from the wood turners who made the wealth of Saint Cirq Lapopie from the fifteenth century, also houses an exhibition of old postcards and other items form the past.
