Sentier de la Pierre-levée à Sauliac-sur-Célé

In the heart of aunspoilt nature

The variants of Saint-Jacques: GR®651 and GR®6

The Célé route is a variant that takes you through a fascinating, pastoral valley to Cahors. You’ll pass alongside the river, then soar above the cliffs and land beside some curious discoveries. The Célé valley offers a wildly scenic route, dotted with splendid villages in the heart of the Causses du Quercy: the perfect route if you’re looking for peace and quiet in the middle of nature. The GR®6 starts in Figeac and crosses the Lot department from east to west, passing through Lacapelle Marival and Rocamadour. This route takes you to the sacred Marian city of Rocamadour. You can then continue on to Sarlat, or take the Puy route back down to Cahors. And if, this time, you want to keep to the “original” path, the GR®65, then these alternative routes are the perfect excuse to come back!

Ruines de l'abbaye de Marcilhac-sur-Célé

The Célé route

110 km in 5 to 6 days

This itinerary, made up of several trails, stretches for almost 120 km between Figeac and Cahors. From Figeac to Béduer, take the GR®65, then branch off at Le Mas de la Croix onto the GR®651, the Célé route. Cliffs, semi-troglodyte houses, remarkable viewpoints, discreet villages – the wild landscapes of the Parc Naturel régional des Causses du Quercy follow one another along the paths. Pure delight! We pass through delightful villages: Corn and its resurgence, Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie and the Val Paradis priory, Marcilhac-sur-Célé and its Benedictine abbey, Saint-Sulpice, Sauliac-sur-Célé, Cabrerets and the prehistoric Pech Merle cave. The Célé flows into the Lot at Bouziès. From here, we have two options: drive to Cahors via the Lot valley, or make a round trip to visit the exceptional site of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Let’s opt for a visit to this village, listed as one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages! We pass the Château des Anglais and the superb Ganil towpath, carved into the rock and embellished with a 30-metre bas-relief. And if your feet get tired, canoe part of the way and bivouac on the banks of the Célé!

The Rocamadour road

53 km in 2 to 3 days

The Rocamadour route stretches for almost 300 km, from Figeac to La Romieu via Agen. It comprises the GR®6, GR®64 and GR®652 trails. Let’s opt for two to three days’ walking on the Figeac to Rocamadour section. From Figeac, take the Chemin de la Curie towards Cardaillac. This village, listed as one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, takes us back to the time of the lords. After a break in the medieval garden, we continue our walk towards Lacapelle-Marival, our first stopover. The château, residence of the Cardaillac family for 4 centuries, is at the heart of the village. The second stage takes us to Gramat, passing the bastide town of Rudelle and Théminettes. From Gramat to Rocamadour, the route is magnificent. The arrival of this third stage at the foot of the holy city through the Alzou valley is one of the highlights of the trip. From the main street, the 233 steps lead up to the Notre-Dame chapel, one of the village’s eight churches and chapels. It’s here that we meet the wooden silhouette of the Black Madonna and her miraculous bell. After a rewarding day in Rocamadour, we return to Cahors on the GR®65 via the GR®46 and GR®36.

GR®6, the guide

Cité De Rocamadour Lot Tourisme Teddy Verneuil 191014 151148

Pélerin Sur Le Chemin De Saint Jacques © Lot Tourisme Gil Giuglio 190928 100949

Whatever direction you take, walking leads to the essential.

Sylvain Tesson

Highlights on the course

On the GR®651Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie priory

Nestled in a meander of the Célé, Espagnac Sainte-Eulalie has preserved the tranquility of its formerVal Paradis priory, crowned by an exceptional bell tower.

On the GR®651Marcilhac-sur-Célé Abbey

At the foot of the cliffs, a vestige of another era,Marcilhac-sur-Célé abbey seems to reach for the heavens.

On the GR®6Our Lady of Rocamadour

Enter the Notre-Dame chapel at the Rocamadour sanctuary, and you’ll discover the Black Madonna, a 12th-century wooden walnut statuette that has been venerated for centuries. Many miracles are attributed to her.