The 889 liO bus connects 2 train stations on the Occitanie Rail Tour: Figeac on the Causse du Quercy service and Cahors on the Lot & Dordogne service. That way you can travel between the two and explore the beautiful Lot Valley, its cliffs and winding rivers peppered with gems such as Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
Places to eat and sleep at each stop.
15 minutes from Figeac or 1.5 hr from Cahors. Stop: Bourg.
A village home to unspoilt Quercy buildings reigning over the Lot Valley. Faycelles and its golden old stones are also a stage on the Way of St James (Le Puy Trail). This is your chance to walk the UNESCO World Heritage 31.5km trail between Faycelles and Figeac. Find out more.
25 minutes from Figeac or 1 hr 20 from Cahors. Stop: Bourg.
You can't miss a trip to Saint-Pierre-de-Toirac to see the fortified Romanesque church. Find out more.
50 minutes from Figeac or 1 hour from Cahors. Stop: Stade.
Françoise Sagan was born in Cajarc and President Pompidou lived there. The Maison des Arts Georges Pompidou is the local contemporary art centre. Unwind among the plane trees and café terraces in Cajarc old town. Cajarc is also the capital of Quercy saffron.
1 hr 5 from Figeac or 40 minutes from Cahors. Stop: Embt Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
La Tour de Faure is tucked under the cliffs lining the Lot Valley and looks onto Saint-Cirq-Lapopie across the river. It's all plum-coloured roofs and Quercy houses perched high above the river. It takes around 25 minutes to climb to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, voted one of France's favourite villages (and a favourite in Japan too!). Find out more.
1 hr 10 from Figeac or 30 min from Cahors. Stop: Pont.
Bouziès is the start point for boat trips on the Lot River. It also marks the start of the towpath to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie: with some of it carved into the rock, it's a memorable 8.5km walk in the footsteps of André Breton, the father of Surrealism and huge fan of his hometown of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.