Angélus Trail

Top! I’m a daily prayer observed in remembrance of the mystery of the Incarnation. I am chanted 3 times a day, in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. I consist of 3 Hail Marys. Tradition says that the Christian stops work to practice me. I am, I am, I am? I am the Angelus! ✝️ Ah Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes!

Now that you know what it is, you’re ready to take a stroll on the Way of St. James / Camino de Compostela on the Angelus Trail 👼. Coming to run this event, which takes place in May 🗓️ at Cahors in the Lot📍 (famous for its cathedral of more than 900 years 😲) it’s a truly unprecedented experience and you’ll quickly see why. In fact, the race is based on the Off principle, no timing, so relax, take it easy! 🎤 You’ll see, the Occitanie has a lot to offer in the Lot with lots of surprises 🎁, including a multitude of routes 🤓. First, an 18 km starting from Labastide or the longest distance of the event, an 80 km starting from Rocamadour available as a relay to 3 🤝🏻.

Depending on your chosen route, you’ll depart from different towns. Like a pilgrim, you’ll follow part of the Route of Saint James / Camino de Compostela 🎒. A little bonus for the brave who take on the 80 km, the start is in the sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Rocamadourabsolutely magnificent and unique. It’s a great place to start your run 😍. Need a good reason to come? We’ve got one: a Quercy 😂. This regional natural park 🌳, you’ll traverse it from end to end and be rewarded by its forested and wild landscapes 🐆. Although the routes feature quite a bit of elevation 📈, the courses aren’t especially tough. Remember that there are still 2 100 mD+ waiting for you on the 80 km, 1 500 mD+ on the 49 km and 500 mD+ on the 19 km 😅. They will, however, offer you views as beautiful as they are varied across the region 👀. Indeed, the Roman Aqueduct of Divona or the Mont-Saint-Cyr ⛰️ (from which you’ll enjoy a magnificent panorama of Cahors) are among the places you’ll pass. Along the way you’ll also glimpse the Carlucet Windmill 😮. No need to chase it as Don Quixote does, it is stunning and part of the region’s heritage, so hands off! ✋ You’ll also run toward La Carderie and the imposing Valley of the Alzou and the Valley of the Vers half-full. In the end, your only concern is to reach the finish located at Cahors, before 19:00 🕖, where you’ll be greeted by the sound of the Angelus 🔔 from the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne in Cahors ⛪.

Beyond the grand route 🤩, the Angelus Trail is also about a warm, welcoming and unique 🥰. The organizers aim to reveal the local heritage of the Lot as you traverse the Causses du Quercy 🏞️. To do this, they’ve arranged a tasting of local specialties 😋, from the aid stations to the finish 🏁, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Quercy meal featuring walnut tart 🌰, duck cracklings 🦆, or goat cheese rounds 🐐… But that’s not all, as you’ll also get activities 🥳 and a tour of the Cathedral of Cahors and its cloister ⛪️. By the way, if you’re among the finishers, you’ll receive a quirky keepsake: a sportelle, the badge of the pilgrim of Rocamadour. This Angelus is definitely one of a kind 😄.

If you still have time to explore the surroundings 🚶, we recommend a quick look 👀 at the Pech Merle Cave one of Europe’s oldest 🇪🇺. For a moment of relaxation, the Lac Vert is located in the commune of Catus. On the culinary front, there’s plenty to try, including black truffle orMique paired with the famous red wine from Cahors, to be enjoyed in moderation of course 🍷.

Coming to the Angelus Trail, is a real adventure Caout of the ordinary! 🤯