Is This France’s Most Beautiful Village? Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – 4K Medieval Walking Tour
Is this France’s Most Beautiful Village? Join us in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to decide for yourself. Often called “The Impossible Village” for the way it clings to the cliff 100 meters above the River Lot, this medieval gem is a masterpiece of history. Filmed in crisp 4K, this is the perfect relaxation experience or travel guide for planning your Summer 2026 trip to France.
Step back in time as we explore this highlight of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (The Most Beautiful Villages of France), which was also voted the nation’s “Favorite Village” (Village Préféré des Français). From the ruins of the medieval castle to the gothic church and half-timbered houses, every corner of this open-air museum tells a story of artists, knights, and history.
✨ WHAT YOU’LL SEE IN SAINT-CIRQ-LAPOPIE
• The “Impossible” Views: Looking down 100m to the River Lot from the cliff edge.
• Medieval Architecture: 13th-century fortified gates, golden stone facades, and timber-framed houses.
• Nature & Pollinators: Rare Hummingbird Hawk-moths and butterfly gardens in the “Secret Village.”
• The Artist’s Village: Exploring the flowered streets that inspired the Surrealists (André Breton).
• Hidden Details: Ancient copper workshops, Michelin-recognized dining, and narrow cobblestone lanes
🎥 ABOUT THIS VIDEO
Real-life footage, no talking, no music – just gentle footsteps, soft voices in the distance, and authentic village sounds. Perfect for virtual travel, planning your next trip to France, a mindful break, or a calm reset.
📍 LOCATION
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lot Department, Occitanie, France
Heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park (UNESCO Global Geopark)
🗺️ Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eWxnoDq5E8iT8v5P7
🏛️ Tourist Info: https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/explorer/decouvrir-les-lieux-emblematiques/saint-cirq-lapopie-plus-beau-village-de-france/
🎧 Best with headphones for natural ambience
📱 Turn on [CC] captions for extra historical details in 80+ languages
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Saint-Cirq-Lapopie: Summer 2026 Travel Inspiration (Intro)
00:00:55 Walking the “Favorite Village” (Start at the Summit)
00:01:53 The Descent Begins: Rue de la Peyrolerie
00:02:53 Place du Sombral, the beating heart of the village
00:04:32 Saint-Cirq-La-Popie Tourist Office
00:05:51 Secret Gardens & Medieval Ruins (Place des Oules)
00:07:10 The village’s quiet soul, vine-draped lanes and red shutters
00:08:17 A Culinary Stop: Michelin Dining & Local Flavors
00:09:16 A Museum of Scents & Aromatherapy History
00:12:00 Daylilies & Hidden Lanes
00:14:20 The Open-Air Garden Theatre (Hummingbird Hawk-Moths)
00:16:14 The Best View in the Lot Valley: Castle Ruins Summit
00:17:24 Nature Therapy: Lavender Gardens & Quiet Escapes
00:20:25 The Sentinel of the Valley: 16th Century Gothic Church
00:21:51 Hidden Art Gallery: Whimsical Metal Sculptures
00:24:07 The Lot River: A “Silver Ribbon” & Towpath Preview
00:25:49 High above the village a medieval maze, pure magic
00:26:24 The Sound of Summer: Common Swifts
00:34:44 The “Impossible” Cliffside View
00:41:05 Entering the Silence: The Gothic Portal
00:46:21 13th Century Fortified Manors (Manoir de la Gardette)
00:47:09 The Artists’ Quarter (Maison Daura)
00:48:54 The Gardens of Maison Rignault
00:50:25 Nature’s Refueling Station (Salvia Hot Lips)
00:51:26 The Pollinator’s Path: Butterflies & White Lavender
00:53:46 History & Resilience: The Tragic Fire
00:54:47 Medieval Air-Conditioning (The Soleilho)
00:55:21 The French Summer Dream: Ice Cream & Terrace Views
00:57:28 Why We Film (Supporting the Channel)
00:59:23 The River Gate (Porte de la Pélissaria)
01:00:29 The Iconic Postcard View: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie Revealed
01:09:06 The Village Square: Potters & Artisans
01:12:38 Planning Your Summer 2026 Trip (Farewell)
🎬 WATCH MORE
Complete French Village Tours: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRGuFMlvg4ZmshJ9A09AFfSJ8iXAlZCZq&si=wzyLZjA6ZiAjeccB
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRGuFMlvg4ZnPvVuzXFNdPEd3ZL7KsKZg&si=ve6jLyPzymzRw0x4
👫 ABOUT US
We’re Michelle and Charlie, filmmakers in our 50s who found healing through travel after life-changing challenges. We create peaceful 4K village tours to share the beauty of Europe and offer a quiet space to reset.
💕 SUPPORT OUR FILMMAKING
This channel is our livelihood. If you enjoyed this walk, please consider supporting us:
☕ Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/walkingtoursmc
💳 PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/walkingtoursroadtrip
🌐 Travel Internet (20% off code ‘20roadtrips’) – https://connectpls.com/walking-tours-and-roadtrips/
© Walking Tours and Road Trips – All rights reserved. Some links may be affiliate links supporting our channel at no extra cost to you.
#saintcirqlapopie #france #lot #occitanie #medievalvillage #4k #virtualtravel #slowtv #francetravel #mostbeautifulvillages
12 Comments
Welcome to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie! 🇫🇷✨ We are so happy you are here.
This village was voted "France’s Favorite" in 2012, but we want to know what you think – is this the most beautiful village in France?
Walking these steep, cobbled lanes in "The Impossible Village," you can certainly see why it captured so many hearts.
As always: No talking, no music, just gentle footsteps and authentic village sounds. We hope this walk brings you a moment of calm today.
If you enjoyed this walk and would like to support our filmmaking, we really appreciate your kindness:
☕ Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/walkingtoursmc
💳 PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/walkingtoursroadtrip
Let us know where you are watching from and if the Lot Valley is on your travel bucket list! ❤️ Michelle & Charlie
So much to love about this beautiful village, the spectacular views, sunshine and blue skies, medieval buildings and ruins, the flowers and all the butterflies and hummingbird hawk moths (my fave) love it every minute of this gorgeous walk ❤
The atmosphere here feels timeless… like stepping back centuries.
Как же сильно удивляют меня французы кругом только камень и бетон но вокруг так много зелени что кажется будто гуляешь в парке .
Благодарю за прогулку по деревне. Видно что деревня была полностью разрушена лет 200 назад и относительно недавно восстановлена и отреставрирована. Многие места видимо реставрации не подлежат, что наводит на удручающие мысли о бесследно пропавщей идентичности прошлым временам. Спасибо рестовраторам, что с такой заботой и вниманием к деталям, смогли восстановить общие черты когда-то довольно большой деревни…
Спасибо за увлекательный фильм.
Such a beautiful village and such a quiet and peaceful life. I really want to take a walk there, but at the same time I understand that the residents may not like such excessive attention.
what a beautiful place❤❤.Thank u.
الفرنسيين شعب موثقف يستحق الاحترام تحياتي لكم جميعا ❤❤❤
Великолепная, прекрасная деревня. Жаль только по близости нет пункта приёма металлолома.
Who's whatching in 2089?
Spettacolare ❤
一路上罕見人煙 街道乾淨到連落葉都不見它的蹤跡~😲 反觀巴黎的街道…🤣