Camping Le Roquelongue

Walkers can get their boots on right at the site, as the forest opposite is full of paths and the GR 25, the former pilgrim route from Switzerland to Spain, passes right by. The mighty canyon at Bouzols (50 minutes' drive) makes for a classic combination of trails and splendid vistas; equally pleasing to the eye are perched villages like Belcastel (40 minutes) and Najac (an hour), medieval settlements of timbered houses and cobbled alleys clinging to the rocks. After all that high altitude stuff, a subterranean tour of the caves at Foissac (40 minutes) make a fine contrast, for guided tours through weird rock formations and prehistoric remains. The museum at Montrosier (an hour and a half) tells you more, if you've caught the bug. Everywhere you travel and of course back at the site, you'll see the significance of the Lot river. The Terra Olt museum at Saint Parthem (15 minutes) is devoted to the river and its human and natural history; top a visit off by heading to Flagnac (10 minutes) for a boat cruise.