A perfect introduction to the diverse wildlife and landscapes of the Lot Valley, this gentle tour is timed to offer the best of spring bird and butterfly activity, flowering orchids and plenty of other natural history.
Nestled in South-west France, the Lot Valley is one of the country’s most rewarding destinations for a week of wildlife watching. The River Lot meanders its way through this ancient landscape, which is dotted with prehistoric sites and punctuated by unique limestone plateaus, dramatic cliff faces, rich forests, wildflower-filled meadows, sunny vineyards, and picturesque villages.
Traditional land use has also left many of its wildlife habitats intact, meaning almost any location is of wildlife interest, and the abundance of butterflies and birds, many of which are rare in the UK, is a particularly welcome sight. Travelling in late May, we can enjoy the richness of butterflies that inhabit the varied habitats of the valley. Sought-after butterfly species such as map, mazarine blue and spotted fritillary can be found alongside good numbers of species that are now very rare in the UK, such as Glanville and heath fritillary, wood white and large blue. The meadows and limestone grasslands also support an outstanding assemblage of orchids and other wildflowers, and it's not uncommon to see 17 species of orchid in a single meadow.
Birdlife is another highlight, with species such as golden oriole, hoopoe, short-toed and booted eagles, honey buzzard, black woodpecker and melodious and Western bonelli’s warblers. We also have access to a private nature reserve, which is an excellent spot to take time to discover more unusual insect life and visit a selection of specialist hides, offering the possibility of close views of turtle dove, hawfinch, cirl bunting and red squirrel.
The tour is taken at a leisurely pace as we explore a mixture of oak and pine woodland, wetlands and limestone grasslands, as well as taking in hanging villages typical of the region and the famous prehistoric caves of Pech Merle.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK and fly to Toulouse
Depart the UK on a flight to Toulouse, where we meet our local guides. From here, we drive to a nature reserve on the Garonne River for a gentle walk in search of wetland birdlife, including osprey and spoonbill. We then continue to our riverside accommodation in the picturesque village of St Géry-Vers. There will be plenty of time to relax and settle in, with the option of an evening walk in the local area.
Accommodation: Hotel La Truite Dorée, 7-nights
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Day 2:
Cele and Vers Valleys
Today, we explore several wildlife-rich sites along the Cele and Vers Valleys, taking in many habitats from cliffs high above the river, to karst limestone grasslands and oak woodlands. Birds that may feature include golden orioles singing from riverside poplars, nightingales and melodious and Western bonelli’s warblers serenading us from the scrub, and woodlarks and black-winged kites in the open pastures.
As we pass through the limestone plateaus, there will be a colourful spread of wildflowers to enjoy, with orchids galore. As the day warms up, we hope to observe a myriad of butterfly species from adonis, mazarine and small blues, to spotted, dark green, silver-washed and twin-spot fritillary, and hopefully find the striking white admiral and cleopatra, among many others.
Each day will involve gentle-paced walks through a variety of habitats, with stops for lunch at a local café or as a picnic out in the field.
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Day 3:
Les Teyssonnieres
Today, we enjoy the exploration of our guide's home at Les Teyssonnieres at our own pace. Here, with 12 hectares of oak woodland, juniper scrub, limestone paving and flower-rich meadows to explore, there will be a plethora of wildlife highlights. Butterflies are everywhere, and more than 60 species have been recorded at the site, including many spectacular and sought-after species. A closer look amongst the wildflowers may reveal other fascinating insects such as conehead mantis, black-yellow owlfly, owly sulphur and perhaps the enormous great capricorn beetle.
Another highlight of our time here will be the opportunity to use four dedicated wildlife photography hides that offer the chance of close views and photography with species such as turtle dove, hoopoe, hawfinch, cirl bunting, and red squirrel.
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Day 4:
Les Landes de Frau and Les Arques
Today we discover the Les Landes de Frau and Les Arques reserves, with their acidic heathlands and wetlands, offering us a different range of butterflies, orchids and birds. Butterflies may include chequered skipper, silver-studded and large blue, while overhead soaring birds of prey may include the magnificent short-toed eagle or a beautifully marked honey buzzard. Around the ponds, we may find Cetti's warbler, kingfisher and a host of dragonflies such as emperor, downy emerald, and banded and beautiful demoiselles.
Wild boar, although elusive, are also common in this area alongside other mammals such as roe deer, brown hare and red squirrel.
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Day 5:
Phosphatières du Cloup d'Aural and Villages of the Lot Valley
Today we discover the unique Phosphatières du Cloup d'Aural, a fascinating phosphate mine from the 19th Century rich in geology, palaeontology and history.
The old mine has created a unique ecosystem in miniature with a distinct vegetation, and offers some interesting wildlife opportunities. The nearby woodlands are home to several species of woodpecker, short-toed treecreeper and various warblers. In the afternoon, we amble through quaint hamlets, typical of the Lot Valley, where owlflies patrol the meadows and old stone walls are great places to find basking green and wall lizards, and the occasional Western whip snake.
Orchids abound in these meadows and include bee, fly, lady, man, woodcock, early purple, burnt tip, pyramidal, lesser and greater butterfly, green-winged and lizard.
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Day 6:
Pech Merle caves and a visit to the Montclar Forest
Today we divide our time between a visit to the incredible cave system at Pech Merle, which formed around two million years ago and is home to some of the finest cave paintings in the world, and the Montclar Forest.
Through the cave's varied geological history and the influence of water over millennia, this site offers incredible examples of many cave features, from stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies, to calcite floors. There are also prehistoric human footprints and scratch marks left by bears.
While many of the region’s forests are predominantly oak, at the Montclar forest we can experience a typical pine forest. Here a range of different bird and insect species may be found, including honey buzzard, crested tit, black woodpecker, redstart, woodlark and red-backed shrike.
Other highlights we may encounter include the dazzling ocellated lizard and cryptic asp viper. In the evening, we visit the troglodyte village of Cabrerets with its beautiful riverside setting, where banded demoiselle, kingfisher, and sometimes otters can be spotted.
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Day 7:
Village of St Cirq Lapopie and Les Teyssonnieres
This morning, we begin with a visit to the famous hanging village of St Cirq Lapopie. This iconic medieval village is built seemingly precariously above the River Lot and is bursting with charm, with timeless cobbled alleyways, Gothic facades and impressively built stone houses. It is regarded as among the most beautiful villages in all of France.
During our visit, we take in various viewpoints where a selection of birdlife may be seen. Ravens, peregrine falcons, black kites and short-toed eagles often soar along the nearby cliffs, while flocks of screaming swifts and crag martins dash overhead.
After lunch, we return to Les Teyssonnieres for further wildlife watching or photography from specialist hides, and search through the grasslands for more sightings of the region’s beautiful birds, insects, flowers and reptiles.
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Day 8:
Return to UK
This morning, depending on the time of our flight, we can enjoy a final wildlife walk in the local area before taking the transfer back to Toulouse airport, perhaps stopping again at the St Nicholas de la Grave on the way if time allows.
We take our flight from Toulouse back to the UK.
Please note: Depending on weather conditions, the exact itinerary may vary, ensuring that we make the most of the best weather for certain sites and key species.
