Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park
Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park, Regional natural park in Lot, France
The park extends across 185,500 hectares of limestone plateaus, featuring oak forests, valleys formed by rivers Lot, Dordogne, Célé, and Ouysse.
Established in October 1999, this protected area encompasses traditional agricultural landscapes shaped by centuries of human settlement and farming practices.
Local communities maintain agricultural traditions through regular markets in Saint-Cernin and Montfaucon, where regional products and crafts are displayed.
Visitors can explore the park through marked hiking trails, observe peregrine falcons nesting on cliffs, or participate in guided nature discovery tours.
The area contains geological treasures including caves, sinkholes, and distinctive water features known as 'lacs de St Namphaise' scattered throughout the landscape.
Location: Lot
Inception: October 1, 1999
Website: http://parc-causses-du-quercy.fr
GPS coordinates: 44.64889,1.56722
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:44
France contains protected areas with diverse landscapes and ecosystems. The national parks include alpine regions with peaks exceeding 3000 meters, glaciers and mountain lakes, Mediterranean coastlines with limestone cliffs and marine reserves, and island zones with underwater trails. Regional nature parks feature volcanic areas with 80 extinct volcanoes, extensive wetlands with thousands of ponds hosting over 200 bird species, moorland landscapes in the Ardennes, and coastal zones with lagoons and salt marshes. These protected areas shelter ibex, chamois, marmots, lynx and birds of prey. Visitors find marked hiking trails, historic villages and traditional farming operations.
France maintains eleven national parks and dozens of regional nature parks that protect diverse landscapes from the Mediterranean coast to the Alps. The protected areas preserve mountains, coastlines, wetlands, volcanic formations and forests. They provide habitat for various wildlife and plant species while offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and other outdoor activities. The Parc National des Écrins and Vanoise National Park lie in the French Alps, featuring alpine terrain with glaciers and mountain lakes. Mercantour National Park stretches from the Maritime Alps to the Mediterranean coast. Calanques National Park near Marseille protects limestone cliffs and inlets. Cévennes National Park in Occitanie encompasses forested mountains and plateaus. Coastal areas such as Port-Cros and Camargue preserve Mediterranean ecosystems and wetlands. The Volcans d'Auvergne in the Massif Central protects extinct volcanoes and lava fields, while parks like Morvan and Ballons des Vosges preserve forested mid-elevation ranges.
Padirac Cave
27.4 km
Pech Merle cave
16.9 km
Castle of Montal
33.5 km
Sanctuary of Rocamadour
17.2 km
Château de Cénevières
25.5 km
Notre-Dame de Rocamadour
17.2 km
Loc-Dieu Abbey
44.9 km
Château de Belcastel
21.9 km
Grottes de Lacave
22 km
Basilique Saint-Sauveur de Rocamadour
17.2 km
Le rocher des aigles
17.4 km
Phosphatière du Cloup d'Aural
34.4 km
Château des Anglais
29.8 km
Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Marcilhac-sur-Célé
19.4 km
Château d'Aynac
27 km
Gouffre du Saut de la Pucelle
18.8 km
Château de Saint-Laurent-les-Tours
35.3 km
Gouffre des Vitarelles
17.3 km
Château d'Assier
24.8 km
Chapelle des Templiers de Lacapelle-Livron
45.9 km
Château de Saint Projet
42.3 km
Crypte Saint-Amadour
17.2 km
Moulin du Saut
17.7 km
Château de la Treyne
22.6 km
Château de Larroque-Toirac
32.8 km
Collegiate church of Saint Martin of Montpezat-de-Quercy
46.4 km
Pont Louis-Vicat
26.8 km
Maison Henri Martin
22.1 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes