Natural cavern of 33 metres in diameter and 75 metres deep, the Padirac chasm located on the Gramat Limestone plateau, formed when the roof collapsed. In the heart of this cavity, 103 metres below ground to be precise, flows a underground river. Visitors descend 75 metres via a lift or staircase and go to the end of a gallery where they board boats for the first leg of the guided tour by river. 500 metres further, the visitors continue the circuit on foot through a series of beautiful rooms: the Salle du Lac de la Pluie (Rain Lake) and the pendant-like Pendeloque (giant stalactite), the Salle des Grands Gours with a lake, and then the Salle du Grand Dôme with its impressive 94-metre-high ceiling. All these natural formations are awe-inspiring.

The village of Autoire is nestled in an impressive cirque formed by high limestone cliffs. Small manor houses with turrets, delightful fountain surrounded by typical houses and river below contribute to the charm of this site. Near the village, a beautiful 33-metre high waterfall!

Dominating several valleys, which are the Dordogne valley, the Bave valley and the Cère valley, the hilltop village of Loubressac forms a harmonious architectural whole its castle, its church and its old stone houses with very picturesque brown-tiled roofs. The village also offers to its visitors a magnificent view of the surrounding valleys.

Built from the 12th to the 17th century on a hill overhanging various valleys, the Castelnau-Bretenoux fortified castle situated in Prudhomat is an imposing red stone medieval fortress boasting a keep and ramparts. The castle and its furnished interiors are open to visitors.

The medieval town of Saint-Céré has successfully preserved its architectural heritage, with its old houses, its mansions and its beautiful Mercadial square featuring a fountain and surrounded by beautiful timber-framed stone residences. The River Bave, which crosses the city, bring an additional charm to the place. Near the old town of Saint-Céré stand the towers of Saint-Laurent, remains of the former castle of the Turenne viscounts. Saint-Laurent-les-Tours boasts today the Jean Lurçat workshop museum, a place entirely devoted to the works of the artist, from tapestry to cartoons through painting.

In July and August, the city of Saint-Céré hosts a classical and operatic music festival.

Located in the Upper Quercy, to be precise in the Dordogne valley, the village of Carennac is listed as one of the most beautiful in France and indeed boasts numerous interests. Among the assets of this charming medieval village are the ancient typical stone houses, the 16th-century castle, the Saint-Pierre church of Romanesque style and its remarkable carved tympanum, and the cloister of the half-Romanesque half-Gothic priory, which is conducive to meditation. The chapter house of the priory is home to a statue of the Entombment of Christ dating from the 15th century.

Great for discovering beautiful villages, the Dordogne valley in the Lot is also well-located for the practice of sports leisure activities, such as the fishing and kayaking. Ideal on this river, trips in canoes let you to discover the valley and its marvels from a different angle. Numerous sites lining the waters of the Dordogne are worth to be discovered, such as for example the small village of Gluges with its houses nestling at the foot of a rock face, and the photogenic Belcastel castle perched on its cliff. The village of Carennac listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France should not be missed.

Sacred town and important pilgrimage site, the village of Rocamadour is perched on the side of a limestone cliff and towers majestically over the Alzou canyon. What a wild and unspoiled environment! Famous for its sanctuaries and more especially for its Black Virgin, Rocamadour attracts every year a large number of visitors and pilgrims. Moreover, the village of Rocamadour is the second most visited attraction in France after Mont-Saint-Michel! Having climbed 216 stairs of the main staircase leading to the church square, pilgrims and walkers discover the seven sanctuaries of Rocamadour, among which the Notre-Dame chapel, the Saint-Sauveur basilica and the Saint-Michel chapel. Unmissable, the Notre-Dame chapel or miracles chapel contains a statue of the Black Virgin dating from the 12th century. Near this chapel is Saint-Amadour's tomb. The former popes' palace, whose entrance is also situated on the square, is home to the Sacred Art museum and its collection of religious works from the town. From the top of the medieval village, or to be precise off the ramparts of the ancient fort, the view of all of Rocamadour, the Alzou canyon and the unspoiled landscapes surroundings the Regional Nature Park of the Quercy Limestone Plateaus is amazing.

In Rocamadour, walkers can also admire beautiful mineral concretions, as well as 20,000 year-old cave drawings during the visit of the Cave of Marvels (Grotte des Merveilles).

Dominated by its seven towers, Martel is a medieval town boasting a rich architectural heritage. Its mansions, such as the Raymondie mansion and its bell tower, its charming old residences, its Gothic church, its covered market hall on the main square and its pleasant narrow streets make it a must when visiting the Quercy.

Village of the Regional Nature Park of the Quercy Limestone Plateaus, Assier offers visitors its 16th-century Renaissance buildings, which are the castle and the church. This latter is especially rich in carved figures as one can see on the outside frieze of the building, which represents war scenes. The funeral chapel of the church boasts Galiot de Genouillac's tomb, master of the artillery of François I and founder of the castle and the church of the village. Partly destroyed in the 18th century, the Renaissance château flanked by towers nevertheless kept its prestigious appearance, with its interior and exterior decoration typical of this period.

Every summer in July, the village of Assier hosts a music festival named "Assier dans tous ses états", an event dedicated to jazz, improvisation and theatre.

Amongst the treasures of the upper valley of the Dordogne is Beaulieu, a charming medieval town to the south of Corrèze. Nestling on the shores of the peaceful Dordogne, its romantic shores over a nice place for a walk. Just next to the river is the picturesque Chapel of the Penitents and its delightful bell-gable with five bays, which visitors can admire. A particularly photogenic place that is certain to enchant lovers of waterside strolls…

The walk to explore the heritage of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne then continues over in the old town, the centre of which is accessible via that Chapel gate or St. Catherine's gate. Lined by old houses, the typical cobbled streets huddle around an old Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th century by the Archbishop of Bourges, Rodolphe de Turenne, of which the majestic Church of St. Peter remains today. So take the time to admire the abbey church's south gate, its splendid sculpted tympanum from the 12th-century is a true gem of Romanesque art! Also worth a look is the abbey's treasure, on display in the north transept, which contains a magnificent Virgin and Child from the 12th century.

Facing the church's west gate on Place de la Bridolle, the Renaissance house reveals its most beautiful attributes, with its superb façade decorated with statues and medallions. Open to visitors, this lavish home is a listed Historic Monument and invites you to experience how daily life used to be for the Beaulieu aristocracy.

Red berry-lovers, be sure not to miss the famous strawberry festival that takes place in the town's streets on the second weekend in May every year! And to stock up on regional produce, head to the local farmers' market that takes place near the Chapel of the Penitents every Monday evening in July and August, starting from 5 pm.

From May to the end of October, visitors can enjoy a barge ride departing from Beaulieu. These picturesque guided trips are an opportunity to step back in time and explore the world of boating.

A region of sheep and goat breeding, the Regional Nature Park of the Quercy Limestone Plateaux, which extends over 175,717 hectares, is also the realm of dry stone. Cliffs, caves, chasms, valleys and limestone plateaux characterise this magnificent area. The typical and very charming features of this protected park are dry lawns separated by low stone walls, beautiful buildings and delightful little dry-stone shepherds' huts. A heritage that should absolutely be discovered! This unspoiled area is also great for hiking with its 1000 kilometres of path. The sacred town of Rocamadour, the magnificent cliffside village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, the famous Pech-Merle cave and the impressive Padirac chasm, are prestigious sites that shouldn't be missed.

Situated in the Dordogne valley in the Upper Quercy, not far from Black Périgord, the town of Souillac is renowned for its Sainte-Marie abbey church of Romano-Byzantine style. This work of the 12th century possesses a superb chevet, as well as a magnificent carved portal. The bell tower, which dominates the picturesque old town, is all that remains of the ancient Saint-Martin church.

In July, the city of Souillac hosts the Sim Copans festival, a musical event dedicated to jazz.

A former viscountcy now registered on the list of the most beautiful villages in France, the town of Turenne has kept many traces of its rich medieval past: the 13th-century castle, the Seneschal's house, the Mauriolles door and the Canons' house are among the remarkable reminders of its history.

Lovers of old buildings can't fail to be thrilled by a walk around the village, along the steep, narrow streets lined with pretty houses that will lead you up to the majestic castle perched on top of the hill. The fiefdom of the Lords of Turenne, this historic monument is open to any visitors wishing to explore its imposing remains. You are greeted by two high towers separated by a magnificently flowery garden: the Treasure tower, an old 14th-century keep housing a lovely guardroom with a pointed arch vault; and the Caesar tower, an old 13th-century watchtower which offers a superb view over the surrounding green countryside from the top of its spiral staircase.

Further down from the castle, you can discover the Capuchins' monastery chapel, now restored and used as an exhibition space, and the 17th-century Collegiate Church of Our Lady of St. Pantaleon, with its magnificent gilded wood altarpiece from 1678, 19th-century coloured windows and porch bell tower standing over 30 metres tall.

Located at the heart of the Corrèze causse on the Way of St. James, at the crossroads of the GR46 and the GR480, the village of Turenne is also the starting point or a waypoint for hikers.

The former fiefdom of the Counts of Turenne, the medieval village of Collonges-la-Rouge, nestling some twenty kilometres to the south of Brive-la-Gaillarde, surrounded by peaceful, green countryside planted with chestnut and walnut trees, will enchant you with its picturesque charm and its famous red sandstone.

From the old grain and wine hall built in the 16th century to the magnificent houses with thackstone and slate roofs, through the Flat Gate (Porte Plate) and the fortified church, you're sure to be won over by the beauty of this famous Corrèze town with its twenty-five towers. Lovers of beautiful stone buildings can enjoy a stroll along its pleasant streets lined with smart façades. A genuine journey through time, a walk around the village will not only show you the remarkable Church of St. Peter, with its splendid 12th-century tympanum carved out of white Turenne limestone and its imposing gabled Romanesque bell tower, but also some lavish 15th and 16th-century houses crowned with towers and turrets. Vassinhac castle with its elegant mullioned windows, the Ramade de Friac house flanked by two watchtowers, Benge castle with its machicolation remains and its graceful Renaissance window, or Maussac castle and its pretty doorway with a canopy are among the architectural treasures that you can admire on your walk.

In this place, officially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, you can also visit the Chapel of the Penitents, which dates from the early 15th century, or the picturesque Mermaid House (Maison de la Sirène), which contains a small museum of popular arts and traditions with a reconstruction of a period interior.

City of Art and History, Figeac is also a delightful medieval town. With a rich heritage, the old town is a lovely place for a stroll. The picturesque narrow streets lined by mansions with carved facades and timber-framed stone residences will definitely delight walkers. An essential place to visit on a trip round the historic centre, the beautiful Ecritures (Writings) square is home to the black granite contemporary artwork of Joseph Kosuth representing an immense reproduction of the Rosetta Stone. For all those wishing to know more about writing, the Champollion museum offers a rich exhibition about the famous hieroglyphs decoder Jean-François Champollion, as well as the history of writing. The visit of Figeac continues with the ancient Monnaie mansion. This magnificent medieval residence of the 13th century is home to the Old Figeac museum, which allows to better know the history of the city through its mineral and coin collections. Finally, to take advantage of a beautiful panoramic view of the medieval town, take the direction of the viewpoint situated near the Notre-Dame-du-Puy church. From there, the view of the roofs of the old town is splendid!

Perched amid peaceful, green countryside along a rocky overhang, the medieval town of Curemonte has certainly earned the Most Beautiful Village of France label in many ways, with its old stone houses, Romanesque churches and majestic castles. The place that's also known as "the village of three" will charm you with its three churches, three castles, three calvaries and three fountains. A record for such a small village!

As you stroll along the picturesque streets, you can not only enjoy the delightful atmosphere of the place, where time seems to have stood still since the medieval era, but also admire some magnificent façades like those of the castles of Saint-Hilaire (14th century) with its square towers, La Johannie (14th) in a manor style, and Les Plas (16th) with round towers. On either side of the main square, you can take a look at the grain hall from the early 19th century and the Church of St. Bartholomew, topped by a bell-gable with three bays. Inside the church, you can see the remarkable painted wooden altarpiece dating back to 1672.

In the heights of the village, be sure to stop at the orientation table in order to enjoy the wonderful views over the roofs of Curemonte and the unspoilt landscape all around.

An integral part of the famous Dordogne river basin, which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the upper valley of the Dordogne stretches from Bort-les-Orgues to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne in Corrèze, and will enchant lovers of landscapes and old buildings with its wild gorges, reservoirs, wooded riverbanks and typical old towns! There are many marked paths where you can hike, or ride a horse or mountain bike through green, hilly beauty spots.

Keen photographers will be delighted by the panoramic viewpoints at the Busatier Rock in Marcillac-la-Croisille and Gratte-Bruyère in Sérandon, which both offer a spectacular view of the Dordogne's wild gorges. Designated picnic areas also make it a very pleasant place for a snack.

When it comes to water sports, you'll be spoilt for choice: swimming, fishing, pedalo, sailing, water skiing and boat cruises on Lake Bort-les-Orgues; canoe-kayak in the Upper Dordogne gorges. Between April and the end of October, you can also opt for a trip in a kind of barge known as a gabare, a traditional boat that was once used to transport goods. These picturesque guided outings can be enjoyed near Argentat and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, on the tranquil waters of the Dordogne. Barge cruises are also available on the Chastang dam reservoir, departing from the old bargemen's village of Spontour, for a pleasant boat ride in the middle of the gorges.

When it comes to built heritage, the upper valley of the Dordogne has plenty to offer, as evidenced by the charming medieval towns of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and Argentat, both nestling on the banks of the peaceful river.

Fans of industrial tourism? Guided tours are organised at Chastang dam, 11 km from Argentat in the municipality of Servières-le-Château. At the foot of the hydropower structure is an information area where you can learn all about the skills involved in hydropower generation and understand the importance of this form of renewable energy. As you explore the Dordogne gorges, you will have an opportunity to see other impressive dams like those of L'Aigle or Marèges.

A typical small town in the upper valley of the Dordogne, Argentat reveals its many attractions along the famous River Espérance. The place known as the bargemen's capital made the most of its strategic location on the banks of the Dordogne, near the borders of several regions, in order to develop the wood trade with the help of the famous barges known as gabares, traditional flat-bottomed boats that left the town laden with goods. The reminder of a time when the town flourished, the Lestourgie dock is where many barges used to be berthed and is now a most pleasant place to enjoy a walk. As you stroll along this iconic spot in Argentat, you will not only be able to appreciate the charms of the peaceful river, but also admire some pretty houses with thackstone roofs and wooden balconies. A lovely view of the Lestourgie dock and its picturesque façades also awaits you from the bridge over the Dordogne!

At the Heritage Centre (Maison du Patrimoine) on Avenue Gilbert Dillange, there is a museum area where you can learn about local history through archaeological remains, coins and medieval furniture. A documentary about the history of boating and barge-building techniques, as well as a temporary exhibition gallery, round off an enjoyable visit.

At the locality of Graffeuille, in the direction of the Chastang dam, there are guided boat trips from April to the end of October, departing from the pier at the Sablier dam lake, so you can relive the incredible era of the bargemen!

Situated in Cabrerets in the peaceful Célé valley, the decorated cave of Pech-Merle is an important prehistoric site. Discovered in 1922 and opened to the public since 1926, the cave indeed contains remarkable cave paintings in its numerous concretions. It is in a magnificent place surrounded by stalactites, stalagmites and draperies that the visitor amazed by all these natural wonders can contemplate an incredible series of prehistoric artworks, such as drawings, paintings and silhouette engravings of humans, horses, mammoths, bulls and bears.

The Amédée-Lemozi museum adjoining the cave offers a presentation of Prehistory in the Quercy as well as an analysis of the paintings of the Pech-Merle cave.

Perched proudly on a rocky overhang 30 metres above a meander of the Maronne, the majestic and spectacular town of Merle reveals itself amid the green forests of Xaintrie. Nestling in a wild and unspoilt setting not far from the village of Saint-Geniez-ô-Merle, this gem of medieval architecture really has plenty to keep lovers of old buildings happy.

The remains of old fortified houses erected between the 11th and 15th century by several families of lords, the Towers of Merle are now a listed Historic Monument and form a most impressive castrum!

Open to visitors from April to November, the fortress town will take you back to the Middle Ages, surrounded by countryside, on a craggy site where the Lords of Merle, Veyrac, Carbonnières and Pesteils used to live. As you explore the area, you can of course discover the fortified square and its superb viewpoints, but also visit a reconstructed peasant farm, a medieval garden and a pleasant park planted with fruit trees. In the reception village, within the Madège house, a scale model of the castrum awaits you, as well as an exhibition about the history of this amazing medieval city.

In July and August, nocturnal guided tours, fun tours, creative workshops for children, nature walks and medieval activities such as knight shows, equestrian performances, falconry, archery and forge demonstrations, are all on offer to visitors.

From the top of a rock dominating the unspoiled landscapes of the Lot valley, the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is among the most remarkable sites in France. An entirely listed village, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie also appears on the list of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.

Fascinated by the charm of this place, as so many other artists and writers did, the poet André Breton chose to live there. This cliffside village is indeed particularly photogenic, with a harmonious group of beautiful stone houses with brown-tiled roofs and its fortified Gothic church, which stands on the edge of the high rock. Perfect for a stroll, the beautiful flower-filled narrow streets of the village are lined with craft workshops and art galleries. Happy walking!

Situated in the heart of the Black Périgord, Sarlat-la-Canéda is an essential place to visit for the architecture fans. Its medieval old town is the perfect place to wander around with its maze of picturesque narrow streets and Gothic and Renaissance mansions, such as the Plamon mansion, the Magnanat mansion, and the Vassal mansion. The Saturday market is particularly lively and should not be missed!

Built on a peninsula by the River Lot, the old town of Cahors offers a pleasant atmosphere with its narrow streets and its architecture. Symbol of the city, the Valentré bridge built in the 14th century is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent fortified structure with arches and cutwaters is the only bridge in the world to have three towers! You can get a perfect view of the Valentré bridge from the pretty riverbank or on board one of the boats which navigate the meanders of the River Lot.

In the lively old town, the majestic Saint-Etienne cathedral, topped by two domes, possesses a beautiful Romanesque portal with carved tympanums. Not far, the public garden Olivier-de-Magny lined by beautiful old houses, the Roaldès mansion, and the numerous narrow shopping lanes make Cahors a very pleasant place, especially since the medieval town is also a gastronomic centre with among others its famous red wine.