Grezes +é ® Jerome Morel Fk7a2906Grezes +é ® Jerome Morel Fk7a2906
©Grezes +é ® Jerome Morel Fk7a2906|Jérome Morel
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  4. On the way to the Causses du Quercy

On the way to the Causses du Quercy

This territory offers you a remarkable natural, cultural and landscape heritage. Composed of typical villages, this lively and warm area offers an exceptional setting for your escapades. In 1999, it obtained the Parc Naturel Régional label and in May 2017, it was labeled Unesco World Geopark. The Lot department has three main causses, bounded by the valleys of the Lot and Célé and the Limargue to the north: the causse of Gramat, the causse of Saint-Chels, the causse of Limogne – Lalbenque.

Caselle du lac de Lacam, à Livernon, au coeur des Causses du Quercy
©Caselle au coeur du causse et réserve d'eau anturelle|Cyril Novello
    Natural Park

    Of stones and water

    The aspect so particular to the Park comes from the perpetual action of water, yet well hidden on the Causse, which gives rise to cliffs, sinkholes, dry combes, lapiés, as well as a multitude of grottos and gouffres, the best known of which is the Gouffre de Padirac. The Valley of the Lot and the Célé give relief to the limestone plateaus of the Causse and bring a rich biodiversity. It is an incredible but fragile sensitive space where Man and nature blend harmoniously. Numerous hikes allow you to discover all the curiosities of this geopark, its remarkable built heritage, its amazing nature.

    A shaped landscape

    by nature and man

    Beyond the designs that nature forms on these lands, it is nevertheless the works of man that are the most identifying.

    • Ornamented grottoes
    • Dolmens

      • Oppida and Gallo-Roman roads

    • Castles of the English
    • Mines of phosphates

      • Dry-stone walls: one of the most beautiful examples runs along the road between Figeac and the A20 highway, on the D802 departmental road.

    • Cazelles and gariottes: dry stone huts in turn granary and protection for shepherds.
    Petite route entre causse et vallée du Célé en direction de Marcilhac-sur-Célé
    ©route étroite entre falaises et végétation|Teddy Verneuil
      Orchidée sauvage typique des Causses du Quercy
      ©Orchidée des champs|Laetitia Berton
      Brebis caussenarde qu'on appelle aussi brebis à lunettes
      ©Brebis caussenarde typique de notre région|Jérôme Morel - Les éditions de la Cévenne
      Orchidée des Causses du Quercy, Géoparc Mondial Unesco, à Gréalou
      ©Soleil levant et orchidée sauvage|Laetitia Berton
        Observe

        The fauna and flora

        The diversity of natural environments, dry or wet, favors the abundance of species, flora and fauna:

        • Some dry grasslands resulting from the very old deforestation and shaped by sheep grazing: our Caussenard ewes are going to charm you with their big black eyes!
        • Wild orchidae with incredible colors for the pleasure of the eyes.
        • The Ocellated Lizard and the Odicnème criard rub shoulders with the Pipit rousseline and the Fauvette Orphée, be attentive!
        • The Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, Rock Swallow… listen carefully, day and night nature sings!”

        The ear on the alert

        The head

        In the stars

        Another exceptional asset of the Nature Park is to be able to observe the purest night sky in France: ” the Black Triangle of Quercy“.
        This is one of the rare territories in France where the nights are still very much preserved from the “light pollution” of the cities.
        This is an opportunity to appreciate the beauties of the celestial vault. So, to your glasses and good contemplation!

        La voûte céleste, nuit étoilée dans le Triangle Noir des Causses du Quercy
        ©Observation du ciel|Fred Passerin
        Passer une nuit dans l'œuvre d'art refuge, Super-Cayrou, au cœur des Causses du Quercy
        ©Cyrus Cornut
        Le ciel étoilé unique de notre région
        ©La tête dans les étoiles|Fred Passerin
          Organize

          His escapade in the Causses

          Open your eyes wide

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