Once you’ve taken the link along the Canal des 2 Mers Cycle Route (maybe via Tonneins), from Aiguillon, the Lot Valley Cycle Route leads you along a winding way, past old farms, dovecotes and little châteaux. Clairac, a lovely medieval village, tempts the taste buds, surrounded by strawberry fields. At Castelmoron, the extravagant town hall stands out beside the river. The town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot makes a very appealing, practical overnight stop on the Lot Valley Cycle Route.

Leaving behind the impressive pink-brick churchtower of St Catherine’s in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the cycle route meanders along quiet lanes, going past plum orchards stretching across the wide Lot Valley plain. Among recommended detours, climb to the medieval village of Penne d’Agenais to be rewarded with grand views. Further remarkable perched villages to visit include Montsempron-Libos and Fumel.

Once past the town of Fumel and the charming little port of Condat, this stage, leading you into the county of the Lot, alternates between quiet lanes and stretches of greenway. Smart vineyards dominate the countryside, set around elegant old wineries. The remarkable perched village of Puy-L’Évêque makes a stunning sight across the Lot as you follow the riverbank up to Castelfranc, the latter an historic, grid-planned bastide town at the confluence of Lot, Masse and Le Vert Rivers.

On this stage, the Lot Valley becomes wilder and more winding. A string of typical traditional villages stands out: Calstelfranc, Albas, Luzech, Parnac, Douelle, historic stops packed with character. Set in an exceptional meander in the Lot, the medieval town of Cahors grew on a major pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Now designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire thanks to its cultural riches, Cahors is an unmissable staging post on the Lot Valley Cycle Route. The way meanders along country lanes, with slopes approaching Cahors.