Irresistably  picturesque is the intimate cobbled cliff-edge village of ST CIRQ LAPOPIE, situated in the Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy in France.

 The village of St. Cirq Lapopie lies 30km to the east of Cahors in France and is perched like its cousin Rocamadour, high above the south bank of the River Lot and is just as magnificent in many respects but softer.

The villages name - St. Cyrq Lapopie and its ancient church , commemorates the martydom of St Cyricus who was killed with his mother Julitta during the fierce persecutions of the Catholics under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305) in Asia Minor.

Its quaint lanes, half-timbered houses (called Columbage) and prim colourful gardens date back centuries and are well worth both the winding drive and its tourists flocking to the quaint and colourful cafes with most missing the lovely ruined ramparts and nooks and crannies.

 Now it's home to numerous artisans, artists and writers, a trend perhaps begun by poet Andre Breton who made his home here declaring that he had, as a consequence of his visit, stopped wanting to go anywhere else, its a magnet of colour and regionality.

" Beyond any other site of Europe or the Americas, Saint-Cirq put the spell on me - the one which binds you forever."

Andre Breton