Causses du Quercy, UNESCO nature reserve in the Dordogne - Lot

Causses du Quercy 1 Frankrijk Dordogne Lot vakantie wandelen natuur park naturel.jpg

The Causses du Quercy is a beautiful natural park in the tourist Dordogne – Lot region and worth visiting for a day from your holiday park in the Dordogne. The area is a UNESCO Global Geopark and extends over 175,717 hectares with a varied landscape of limestone plateaus, including the Causse de Gramat, between the Dordogne and Lot rivers. The region is known for its unique geology: The limestone formations have shaped the landscape and hide a network of caves and underground systems. The park is also known for its rich biodiversity: the park has beautiful flora and fauna, especially in its extensive meadows. Another highlight is the parks cultural heritage: Authentic villages and historical sites are scattered throughout the area. Last but not least, the parks unique dark night sky: The Causses du Quercy is known as the "black triangle" because of its exceptionally pure night sky, ideal for stargazing.
The landscape of the Sausses du Quercy consists of:
Karst plateaus: The characteristic 'causses' (Gramat, Saint-Chels and Limogne) are dry, mineral limestone plateaus with oaks and grasslands.
Majestic valleys: The green valleys of the Lot and the Dordogne and the rugged valleys of Célé and Vers.
Impressive gorges and rock formations: The ravines of the Ouysse and the Alzou offer spectacular views.
Subterranean wonders: A complex network of caves, sinkholes, and subterranean rivers form a hidden underground world.

Our parks in this region         Our houses in this region

Prehistory and culture

The Causses du Quercy, in addition to being a beautiful natural area, has many prehistoric remains.
Dolmens: Scattered throughout the limestone plateau of the Causses du Quercy, there are numerous dolmens. Dolmens are large stone funerary monuments, usually consisting of upright stones with one or more large capstones on top. There are different types of dolmens in France, including the 'allée couverte' (covered gallery) and the 'dolmen à couloir' (dolmen with corridor).
Caves: Well-known caves in the region are Pech Merle, known for its prehistoric wall paintings and Lacave which has a lot of prehistoric art. In addition, there are other prehistoric and early historical remains such as Tumuli (burial mounds), Celtic oppida (fortified settlements), Gallo-Roman roads, an aqueduct and characteristic drystone structures such as gariottes and caselles.

Causses du Quercy

  • Limestone Plateau
  • Gorges and rocks
  • Valleys
  • Underground networks
  • Pech Merle, Lacave and Padirac
  • Hiking trails
  • Cycle paths
  • Water sports
  • Medieval villages

Causses du Quercy 5 Frankrijk Dordogne Lot vakantie wandelen natuur park naturel.jpg

Animals and plants

The Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park is home to a unique habitat for various bird species, including the impressive griffon vulture. This vast limestone plateau, intersected by deep river valleys, is an ideal habitat for this special bird of prey. The vulture has broad wings that taper towards the tip, with long dark hand and arm feathers. Griffon vultures feel at home in the rocky and mountainous landscape. For bird lovers and nature enthusiasts, there are several places to observe griffon vultures:
La Maison des Vautours: Located near the Gorges du Tarn and the Gorges de La Jonte, this visitor center is the ideal place to learn more about these fascinating birds.
Gorges de la Jonte: This gorge is a well-known place to spot griffon vultures.
Viewpoints: From various high points in the park, you can observe the vultures as they soar majestically over the valleys on the thermals. In addition to the griffon vulture, the Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy is home to a rich biodiversity of other bird species such as the peregrine falcon, great horned owl and rock martin and various reptiles such as the pearl lizard, a striking inhabitant of the dry grasslands and insects such as the azure wild thyme and buzzard grasshopper. The vegetation on the Causses is particularly well adapted to the dry conditions. Some characteristic plant species are: Orchids, Truffle Oaks, Juniper Berries, Maples and Saffron. If you are a nature lover and want to visit this area, book one of our holiday homes.

Hiking in the Causses during your holiday

If you want an active day during your holidays in the Dordogne – Lot region, plan a hike in the Causses du Quercy. There are many hiking trails and marked trails for nature lovers, especially over the limestone plateaus of Gramat, Saint-Chels and Limogne. These dry limestone plateaus are ideal for walks through oak forests and dry grasslands. Some recommended routes are: Le chemin des hameaux (2.5 hours); Le chemin des deux fermes (2 hours); Le Moulin du saut (2 hours); Circuit de Saint Clair (2.5 hours) and Circuit ENS of Dégagnazes (1.5 hours). During your walk, you will see the rich flora in the Planagrèze nature reserve with truffle oaks, orchids, juniper berries and saffron and all kinds of animal species. There are also hundreds of caves in this area. You can get maps with marked walking routes at one of the tourist offices or at your holiday home in the Dordogne. Some popular routes are the following
From Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to Bouziès: A popular route along the famous Chemin de Halage, a path carved into the rock face along the Lot. This hike is about 16.5 km long, with 470 m of elevation gain, and takes about 5.5 hours.
Conduché to Cave of Pech Merle: A 12 km route over the limestone plateau, overlooking the Lot and Célé rivers. The walk takes about 4.5 hours and offers the opportunity to visit the famous prehistoric murals in the Cave of Pech Merle.
Larnagol and Source de Font Nègre: A shorter walk of 8.5 km that takes about 3.5 hours. This route leads you through a beautiful side valley of the Lot to the Source de Font Nègre, a spring with clear water.

Astronomical observation points

The Causses du Quercy is an ideal place for stargazers and nature lovers. In the heart of the Causses du Quercy is an area known as the "Black Triangle" or "Triangle Noir du Quercy". The area is located between Rocamadour and the Célé Valley and was identified in 2002 as the place with the lowest light pollution in France. The absence of large cities and the limited number of villages in the region contribute to this unique characteristic. This area is known for its exceptionally dark night sky and minimal light pollution. If you would like to experience this, visit  one of these observation points late in the evening whilst staying in your holiday home in the Dordogne.
Star villages: Specially appointed villages in the natural park that offer ideal conditions for stargazing.
Observation sites with information panels: In villages such as Limogne-en-Quercy, Reilhac, Miers and Carlucet, special spots have been set up with information panels about the starry sky.
Telescope sites: Some villages have places where telescopes are available to the public. For stargazers, nature lovers and adventurers, the Causses du Quercy is a must-visit destination. Whether you want to admire the Milky Way, discover fossils, or simply enjoy the unspoiled nature, this region of beautiful holiday homes offers a unique experience that you will not forget soon.

Causses du Quercy 6 Frankrijk Dordogne Lot vakantie wandelen natuur park naturel.jpg
Causses du Quercy 2 Frankrijk Dordogne Lot vakantie wandelen natuur Rocamadour.jpg

Touristic villages in the Causses du Quercy

There are many touristic villages and holiday parks in the Causses du Quercy. The villages have mostly retained their authentic medieval character which makes them worth a visit:
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie: Perched on a cliff overlooking the Lot river, this village with character is considered one of the most beautiful in France. Stroll through the pedestrianized, medieval streets, observe the houses from the 14th and 15th centuries and enjoy the beautiful views.
Rocamadour: This medieval village, built against a cliff, is unique. Stroll through the cobbled streets, visit the religious buildings and enjoy the spectacular views over the Alzou Valley.
Aujols: Known for its "butterfly washhouse". Take a walk along wells, truffle fields and typical dry stone huts (cazelles).
Marcilhac-sur-Célé and Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie: These quiet villages on the Célé River have a half-ruined abbey in Marcilhac, an old priory in Espagnac and a stretch of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Montcuq: This charming village in the Quercy Blanc has medieval streets full of character, an interesting church and a lively artists' scene.

Regional products

The Causses du Quercy is known for its authentic cuisine and quality local products that are a good representation of French gastronomy.
Rocamadour cheese: The Rocamadour cheese is a specialty from Rocamadour and is a small, round goat's cheese which can be eaten at different stages of maturation, from creamy with a subtle taste to drier with a more pronounced aroma.
Bleu des Causses: This blue cheese, made from raw cow's milk, has an AOC and AOP status. With its ivory color and blue-green mold spots, it is perfect for salads, omelettes or as a dessert cheese with a glass of local wine.
Quercy Lamb: This tender meat with a subtle taste has a protected status and a "Label Rouge". It is best to prepare this meat on a barbecue or in an oven.
Foie Gras and Confit: These delicacies are the result of ancient know-how and peasant traditions. They are traditionally prepared in copper kettles over a wood fire.
Black truffles of Quercy: A luxury product that is often incorporated into refined dishes or simply grated over an omelette.
Saffron: The Causses du Quercy is also known for its saffron, also called "the red gold of Quercy". This precious spice is used in a variety of dishes and products, including syrups, aperitifs, nougat, honey, and jams.
Regional dishes: Well-known regional dishes are an omelette aux truffes, tourtière quercynoise, cassoulet quercynois and pescajoune.

Activities in the Causses du Quercy

The Causses du Quercy, in the South of France, is the ideal destination for sports activities in nature. This UNESCO Global Geopark offers a wide range of possibilities, both above and below ground.
Walking and cycling. The region is known for its extensive network of hiking and biking trails. You can follow long-distance hiking routes, such as the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, or mountain bike through the picturesque landscapes of limestone plateaus, oak forests and dry grasslands. E-bikes are a popular choice for exploring the hilly surroundings, for example in the Vers Valley.
Water sports. Rivers such as the Lot, Célé and Dordogne offer opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. These activities allow you to enjoy the view of impressive cliffs and calm waters. You can go swimming in one of the various natural swimming spots along the rivers, with pebble beaches and quiet picnic areas.
Climbing and caving. For adventurers, there are climbing routes on the limestone rocks and opportunities to explore caves. Caving is popular thanks to the unique landscape with caves such as Pech Merle, known for prehistoric wall paintings.
Horseback riding: Horseback riding through the Causses is a peaceful way to discover the landscape. This is ideal for nature lovers looking for relaxation.
Discovering heritage. During walks or bike rides, you can admire historical sites such as cazelles (stone huts), dolmens, and traditional stone walls typical of the area.

Back to the overview