Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, France
Road Trip France: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Road Trip Photo Essay From Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Our drive today started in Cahors, taking us through the Caussess du Quercy Natural Regional Park to Rocamadour. The first stop was in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. The weather was a bit dismal with only sporadic rays of sunshine, which was actually okay for what we were about to see.
The quaint village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie by the Lot River
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie By the Lot River
Simultaneous oohs and aahs came right out of us as we neared Saint-Cirq-Lapopie set about 100 meters above the Lot river. The location in the rock was decided in order to control the river traffic and defend the village and you can see why. You have an excellent view up and down the river and to the valley surrounding it.
Artists have flocked here and today it is a major tourist attraction with artisan gift shops and cozy restaurants. We sampled both. As we are traveling just outside the main tourist season we also witnessed the last few touches being made in the village for the summer season.
The fairy tale looking village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Pech Merle Caves
On our way to Rocamadour, we made a stop at the caves, Grotte du Pech Merle. The caves were found by three teenagers in 1922 and changed forever the future for their little village, Cabrerets.
The highlight of the tour was the 25000-year-old wall paintings of mammoths, horses, and various hands and footprints.
The handprints were so clear. Very difficult to fathom the length of time they have been there buried under the rocks. Due to the significant cultural value of the cave drawings, no photography of any kind was permitted.
The Lot River and the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
The Road to Rocamadour
The remaining drive to Racamodour went through winding mountain roads and small villages. Too many to be mentioned but impressions of tiny medieval houses, crumbling stone hedges, small roundabouts, and narrow bridges leading over creeks will forever be imprinted on our brains. Heavy rains set in for the final stretch before arriving at Rocamadour.
Travel Photography From Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
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The photos in this article are made using a Fujifilm X-T1. Lenses: XF 14mm f/2.8 R - XF 23mm f/1.4 R - XF 35mm f/2 R WR - XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR (links to my camera and lens reviews). Editing was done with Lightroom and I have made use of Fujifilm’s film simulations in some of the photos.
