Hiking the GR65 (Via Podiensis towards Santiago de Compostela)
Walk for a few hours on the legendary Way, starting right from rue du Château du Roi
You don't need to be a long-distance pilgrim to taste the magic of the Way of St James! The GR65 passes 250 metres from the building: here are two superb half-day loops starting from Cahors.
Option 1: the pilgrims' legendary climb after the Valentré Bridge (2-hour loop)
Set off on foot from 98 rue du Château du Roi in the morning and follow the scallop shells and the white and red waymarks to the Valentré Bridge. As soon as you have crossed the bridge to the left bank, take the stony path that climbs up the cliff towards the Croix de Magne. The climb is steep for 25 minutes, but the reward at the top is magnificent: a view down onto the whole Valentré Bridge at the bottom of the Lot canyon, surrounded by truffle oaks and dry-stone walls (the famous cazelles of the Quercy).
Option 2: coming from Arcambal / Flaujac-Poujols or walking towards the Quercy Blanc (Lascabanes)
Keen walkers love the section of the GR65 that enters the Quercy Blanc after Cahors: the landscape suddenly changes to bright white limestone hills, fields of lavender or sunflowers and small sunken lanes lined with box trees, all the way to Labastide-Marnhac (11 km) or Lascabanes.
White and red waymarked trail (GR65), free and accessible all year round from the historic centre.
Before setting off, stop at Saint-Étienne Cathedral to have a credencial stamped (or simply to look at the cloister), and take water: the limestone causse heats up quickly from late morning!