A medieval settingin the Lot valley

Cajarc, on a Dolce Vita tune

Nested in the heart of the Lot Valley, in the Regional Natural Park of the Causses of Quercy, Cajarc unveils itself between a cirque of cliffs and a river. It became the little Saint-Tropez of the Lot in the 20th century thanks to its celebrities: Françoise Sagan was born there, Georges Pompidou had a property there, Coluche was inspired by the fishing tackle merchant Cajarcois Moulinot, to write his famous sketch Le Schmilblick in 1975, Cajarc is being rewritten around culture, conviviality and douceur de vivre. A stopover on the GR®65, the famous Way of Le Puy or Via Podiensis, one of the four main routes to Santiago de Compostela, Cajarc is also classified Site Remarquable du Goût with the culture of Safran du Quercy.

An old battleship port

become a nautical base

In the Middle Ages, Cajarc developed thanks to its port, ideally located on theLot River, an exceptional trade route for international commerce. In the XIXᵉ century, Cajarc grew rich and became an extremely flourishing town thanks to the exploitation of its phosphate quarries. The port was then animated by a teeming activity with its incessant ballet of gabares transporting phosphate, wine oor wood in the direction of Cahors and Bordeaux.

Today, the rives of the Lot, more peaceful, invite to relaxation. One lounges there. The body of water is the ideal place for the practice of water activities such as paddle, water skiing, rowing and many others, in an exceptional natural setting.

What to see in Cajarc ?

The must-haves

The Quoirez House
St. Stephen’s Church, St. Margaret’s Chapel of the Mariners
The Hebrardie Palace, the 18th and 19th century houses and mansions
The former convent of the Mirepoises
The 19th century bridge over the Lot
La Maison des Arts Claude et Georges Pompidou
Insolite: a miniature Eiffel Tower!

Wander through the charming alleys and join the banks of the Lot with the The Keys to Cajarc discovery tour.

Remarkable site of taste

The Saffron of Quercy

Saffron has long been cultivated in Quercy, and Cajarc has become its city. Many producers, the Safraniers du Quercy, grow these purple flowers that bloom in the fall. This know-how helped Cajarc earn the Site Remarquable du Goût label in 2011. In the fall, the Fête du Safran highlights this red gold from the pistils of the crocus.

The House of Arts

Georges & Claude Pompidou

Centre for contemporary art in Cajarc, the Maison des Arts Georges et Claude Pompidoualso manages the Maisons Daura in Saint-Cirq Lapopie, international artists’ residencies. It obtained the label Centre d’art contemporain d’intérêt National in December 2018.

Dedicated to the discovery of emerging and established artists, the contemporary art center presents exhibitions, residencies, and offers art workshops for young audiences and families, meetings with the artists.

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Cajarc

Land of festivals

In mid-July, Cajarc puts on the colors of Africa by hosting one of the most important French festivals dedicated to African culture: Africajarc. A real invitation to African cultures mixing music, cinema, storytelling, literature, crafts, market, it welcomes on stage great artists of African music such as Youssou N’Dour, Keziah Jones, Touré Kunda, Manu Dibango… In mid-September, it’s the turn of the comic book festivalThe Comic Book Takes to the Airto enliven the heart of Cajarc for two days. The most great French comic book authors come to meet their public: exhibitions, dedications, workshops.

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PrajouxCajarc

12.0km

Walking4h Hard

Le VerdierCajarc

13.0km

Walking4h Medium

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