We are very lucky to be in the Célé valley, a green and serene setting between our majestic cliffs and the meandering river.
Here, in the heart of the Parc naturel des Causses du Quercy, the GR651 is an invitation to contemplate and discover a landscape and heritage rich in history.
The Célé Valley: A natural jewel between the limestone plateaux and the river
The Célé valley, carved out over thousands of years of limestone plateaus of Quercyis a natural jewel, combining grandiose landscapes and remarkable biodiversity.
Here, the river, fed by underground springs and discreet resurgences, meanders between cliffs, sculpting wild meanders bordered by forests of holm oak, juniper and boxwood.
The rock faces, sometimes colonised by ferns and wild orchidsare home to a discreet but varied fauna: rock swallows, peregrine falcons, and even otters in the clear waters of the Célé.
The dry grasslands trays, classified Natura 2000The wetlands along the river banks provide a haven for dragonflies.
In autumn and spring, after the rains, the valley comes alive: the temporary waterfalls The cliffs are bursting at the seams, the semi-troglodytic mills are coming to life and the alluvial meadows are bursting with wild flowers.
Between Corn, Sauliac-sur-Célé and Cabrerets, every turn reveals a new face of this generous nature, where man and landscape have coexisted harmoniously for centuries.
The GR651: A spiritual and natural adventure
A key stage on the road to Compostela, a superb heritage
The GR651, a variant of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, also known as the The Célé routewinds here between Figeac and Cabrerets. It offers unique panoramas, breathtaking vistas, a rich heritage and refreshing waterside breaks.
After passing through Figeac, it invites you to temporarily leave the Via Podiensis to take a more secret, wilder route: the magnificent Célé valley. This enchanting diversions takes you as far as the confluence with the Lot, at Bouziès.
The trail takes you past breathtaking cliffs, rocky outcrops and semi-troglodytic houses and panoramas breathtaking.
Each village reveals a new jewel: Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie and its Val Paradis prioryor Marcilhac-sur-Célé and its Benedictine abbeysilent witnesses to a rich past. Further afield are the villages of Saint-Sulpice and Sauliac-sur-Célé.
And if you fancy a change of pace, why not swap your walking shoes for a paddle? A canoeing down the Céléfollowed by a bivouac by the water's edge, will make your hike an even more memorable adventure.
Cabrerets, at the crossroads of the Célé and Lot valleys
À Cabrerets,You will be three-fifths of the way between Figeac and Cahors, and almost at the end of the Vallée du Célé, before it joins the Lot valley at a place called Conduché de Bouziès.
The place is a real eye-catcher, with its typical little village nestling between 3 cliff faces, its Pech Merle cave or the Château des Anglais.
After the Célé valley, why not take advantage of this stage to discover Saint-Cirq-Lapopieone of the most beautiful villages in France? A short detour to the Ganil towpathwhich runs alongside the River Lot, will take you there gently.
Then, the GR36 will take you back to CahorsThis is where you'll find the main road to Compostela. Don't miss the Cathedral of Saint-Etienne and the imposing Pont Valentré.
Advice for pilgrims
- Preparation The GR651 is well signposted, but you'll need good shoes for its stony paths and plenty of water, especially in summer. Many pilgrims underestimate the exposure to the sun and the distance between villages.
- Portions and cards You can find them on the GR651 page of the Lot tourist office website.
- Accommodation Accommodation: Plan your stopping-off points in advance, particularly during the season from April to the end of September. Accommodation is limited and the valley is in high demand!
In Cabrerets, the Maison du Barry offers 7 rooms for 2 to 4 people, as well as 2 bedrooms. Dormitories perfect for pilgrims.
