Navigation on the Lot is not easy, but the reward is as high as the effort. At the bend of a meander, the boater suddenly sees a village perched at 320 meters above sea level on a rocky outcrop. It is Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, a remarkable medieval site. The village itself is worth a visit, but the lock with its mill and the swimming beach in the river make this stopover a great river souvenir!
The carved rock
A few kilometers downstream, the Lot is bordered for nearly 700 meters by a towpath carved into the rock. The channel that leads to the lock of Ganil passes only a few meters from the cliff. It is a high place for walking, especially since Daniel Monnier, an artist from Toulouse, patiently carves and polishes the rock. He composes circles there that the river makes shimmer.
What a vision!
But here appears the bell-tower of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie all in top of its cliff. The vision is superb, especially in the light of a late afternoon, but it would be a pity to keep the eyes in the air. The reach is magnificent with its airs of canyon traversed by a water cascading on the banks of pebbles.
Water to the mill
The lock is adjacent to a beautiful water mill, which alone would be worth the trip. If no other boats are rushing you through the lock, take the time to appreciate the site and walk around it. Wherever your eyes take you, it is an enchantment of water running over the stones of the dam, of slender stonework and of illuminated greenery, especially in the first golden days of autumn.
A beach in the river
Nevertheless, it will remain to negotiate the canal which borders the island. It is long, very narrow and it is difficult to cross it, especially since the overhanging vegetation and the stony banks do not encourage you to approach it. At the exit of the canal, the pontoons are perfectly equipped and adjoin a swimming area as welcoming as refreshing.
A medieval site
The site of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is renowned to the point of being uninviting during the busy season. The best time to visit the village is early in the morning. The climb is tough, but the steep streets are full of charm. Among the inevitable souvenir shops, you can see some real creative craftsmen. On a pretty little square, Musée Rignault presents furniture and objects from the 14th and 15th centuries. The main room overlooks the Lot and opens onto small hanging gardens that offer a privileged view of the valley and the warm brown of the roofs.
A steep path goes down to the Lot passing by the lock and the mill. This is an opportunity to change the viewpoint on this exceptionally rich and spectacular river site.
