Departing from our base in Cahors, you’ll cruise through the heart of one of the most fascinating and wild regions of France. Cliffs and cirques, caves and dolmens are waiting beside the green waters
Boat hire on the river Lot in a few words…
Setting off from the base in Cahors you will encounter a series of extraordinary sites and the lush green meanders of the Lot, along 64 km of river, and pure enjoyment! Cahors, a thousand-year-old city, with many attractions to explore: its historic centre where medieval monuments and neo-classical buildings sit side by side, the famous Valentré bridge, restored in 1880 and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998, its protective city wall or Saint-Etienne Cathedral. On the Lot, you will be cruising into the heart of one of the most fascinating and wild regions of France. While travelling along the peaceful waterways, you will come face to face with cliffs and cirques, caves and dolmens, and fall for the charms of the locks that you have to operate yourself, rediscovering the actions and atmosphere of a past era. The timeless old villages of the Quercy, the alleyways, the mossy red roofs, St-Cirq-Lapopie like an “impossible rose in the night” as André Breton saw it, simply add to the charm of this lovely cruise.
The
highlights of Cahors
- The ‘golden triangle’ for truffles: the tuber melanosporum has a strong and characteristic flavour
- Listed villages perched on cliffs. A fairytale location.
our routes departing from Cahors
The routes shown are only suggestions; don’t forget that you can stop wherever you like on your cruise.
Amid cliffs and citadels
Waterway
LotItinerary
Cahors...Cahors
The 14th century Pont Valentré has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Viewed from your self-drive boat, it's a breathtaking sight: a superb feat of bridge-building, with three towers and six arches.
In the heart of the Cahors vineyards, Luzech is a small town where you'll find châteaux and religious buildings. If you're lucky enough to cruise here in September, don’t miss the Luzech festival, which has been famous in the region for many years.
From the village of the same name, the Vallée du Vers spreads its green ribbon of freshness to the delight of fishermen and walkers. The Vers runs through the villages of Saint-Martin de Vers and Saint-Sauveur la Vallée which are particularly worth a visit.
Medieval Saint-Cirq Lapopie, with its 13 historic monuments, has been listed as one of The Most Beautiful Villages of France. Perched on a cliff, 100 metres above the River Lot, it's also known for its saffron and makes a lovely stop on any cruise.
History along the waterside
Waterway
LotItinerary
Cahors...Cahors
From the village of the same name, the Vallée du Vers spreads its green ribbon of freshness to the delight of fishermen and walkers. The Vers runs through the villages of Saint-Martin de Vers and Saint-Sauveur la Vallée which are particularly worth a visit.
Nestling at the foot of majestic cliffs, Saint-Géry runs along the right bank of the Lot and stretches over more than 7 km. The former commune has several grouped housing areas, the centre town, the Masséries, Bouziès Bas and the Causse.
Medieval Saint-Cirq Lapopie, with its 13 historic monuments, has been listed as one of The Most Beautiful Villages of France. Perched on a cliff, 100 metres above the River Lot, it's also known for its saffron and makes a lovely stop on any cruise.
To the pleasure of the winemakers
Waterway
LotItinerary
Cahors...Cahors
The 14th century Pont Valentré has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Viewed from your self-drive boat, it's a breathtaking sight: a superb feat of bridge-building, with three towers and six arches.
On your boating holidays on the river Lot, explore the seven-centuries-old Château de Mercuès, which now houses a magnificent Relais & Châteaux hotel. If you're a fan of gourmet dining, the château also has a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Formerly an important trading port in the Lot Valley, the streets of the village, in the last centuries, were teeming with coopers, gabariers, innkeepers... Today, Douelle is known as the "Port of the Lot Valley Vineyards".
In the heart of the Cahors vineyards, Luzech is a small town where you'll find châteaux and religious buildings. If you're lucky enough to cruise here in September, don’t miss the Luzech festival, which has been famous in the region for many years.
If you want to book this cruise
Browse online the availabilities
our boats available
Departing from our Cahors base, we can offer the range of canal boats shown below. To see the full range of cruises available, please see our self-drive boat pages or contact our team who can help you to choose.
Pénichettes Classic®
The traditional Pénichette®, very easy to pilot and perfect for couples and families.
From 2 to 7 people.
Pénichettes Terrasse®
A spacious and well-lit boat, characterised by its lovely protected terrace at the rear.
From 2 to 12 people.
Pénichettes Panoramic® (ex Flying Bridge)
One of the latest range of Pénichettes®, offering considerable comfort thanks to their double inside and outside helm positions.
From 2 to 12 people.
Pénichette Evolution®
Based on the strengths of the existing family of Penichettes®, this new generation of boats offers a completely new cruising experience.
Linssen
Choose one of the finest yachts with the Linssen Grand Sturdy 34.9 boat! Elegance, high-quality furnishings and comfortable sailing are the hallmarks of these renowned boats.
From 2 to 6 people.
Europa
Cosy, elegant and designed as small yachts, the Europa boats offer decidedly modern comfort and aesthetics.
From 2 to 6 people.
Your departure
base Cahors
BABOU MARINE (our local partner)
Chemin de Saint-Mary,
46000 – Cahors
FRANCE
If you have already booked your cruise and you want to reach your departure base:
