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

In the heart of apreserved nature

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

The Célé route is a variation that will take you to Cahors through a bucolic and fascinating valley. You’ll pass along the river, only to soar over the cliffs and land next to curious discoveries. The Célé Valley offers a route with wild landscapes, dotted with splendid villages in the heart of the Causses du Quercy: the perfect path if you’re looking for calm in the midst of nature. The GR®6, on the other hand, starts in Figeac and crosses the Lot department from east to west, passing through Lacapelle Marival and Rocamadour. This path allows you to access the sacred Marian city of Rocamadour. You can then continue to Sarlat or take the route from Le Puy back down to Cahors. And if you wish, for this time, to keep the course of the “original” path, the GR®65, then these alternative routes will become the perfect excuse to return!

Ruines de l'abbaye de Marcilhac-sur-Célé

The way of the Célé

110 km in 5 to 6 days

This itinerary, made up of several trails, stretches for nearly 120 km between Figeac and Cahors. From Figeac to Béduer, let’s take the GR®65 to branch off at the place called Le Mas de la Croix on the GR®651, the Célé way. Cliffs, semi-troglodyte houses, remarkable viewpoints, discreet villages, the wild landscapes of the Regional Natural Park of the Causses of Quercy follow one another along the paths. A pure happiness! We pass through charming villages: Corn and its resurgence, Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie and the priory of Val Paradis, Marcilhac-sur-Célé and its Benedictine abbey, Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.

Let’s opt for the visit of this village classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France! We pass the castle of the English and the superb towpath of the Ganil, dug in the rock and embellished with a 30-meter long bas-relief.

And if your feet are tired, make a part of the path in canoë and bivouac on the banks of the Célé!”

The way of Rocamadour

53 km in 2 to 3 days

The Rocamadour Way stretches for nearly 300 km, from Figeac to La Romieu via Agen. It consists of the GR®6, GR®64, GR®652 trails.

Let’s opt here for two to three days of walking on the portion from Figeac to Rocamadour. From Figeac, let’s head down the Chemin de la Curie toward Cardaillac. The village classified as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France takes us back to the time of the lords. After a break at the medieval garden, let’s resume our walk, heading to Lacapelle-Marival, our first stop. The chateau, residence of the Cardaillac family for 4 centuries, is in the heart of the village. The second stage takes us to Gramat passing the bastide of Rudelle and Théminettes. From Gramat to Rocamadour, the path is beautiful. The arrival of this third stage at the foot of the holy city through the Valley of Alzou is one of the highlights of the trip. It is by climbing the 233 steps that one reaches from the main street the chapelle Notre-Dame, one of the eight churches and chapels of the village. It is here that one encounters the wooden silhouette of the Black Virgin and her miraculous bell.

After enjoying this rewarding day in Rocamadour, let’s rejoin the GR®65 to Cahors 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®651The priory of Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie

Nestled in the hollow of a meander of the Célé, Espagnac Sainte-Eulalie has preserved the quietude of its ancientpriory of Val Paradis crowned with an exceptional bell tower.

On the GR®651The abbey of Marcilhac-sur-Célé

A vestige of another time, at the foot of the cliffs, the abbey of Marcilhac-sur-Célé seems to reach for the heavens.

On the GR®6Our Lady of Rocamadour

At the sanctuary of Rocamadour, enter the Chapelle Notre-Dame, you will discover the Vierge Noire, a 12th century wooden walnut statuette that has been venerated for centuries. It is attributed with many miracles.