The Causse

Location: The cause of Gramat starts to the south of the river Dordogne and stretches southwards towards Cahors. The limestone area around Martel is known as the causse of Martel and extends northwards beyond Cressensac and almost to Brive.

The causse is the name given to the limestone uplands, cut by deep dry valleys, which are typical of the landscape of Lot, covering approximately two-thirds of the department. The Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy has been created to safeguard and promote this natural resource.

The rivers run deep underground - emerging at the level of the Dordogne. Caving is possible in some of the easily accessible cave systems.

Criss-crossed by dry stone walls, covered in small oaks, maples of Montpelier and juniper, the land is rugged, often with the limestone exposed on the surface.

Sheep farming and hunting are the main usage of the land. Even the sheep have to be a special, hardy breed, called Caussenardes. They appear to wear 'lunettes' or dark glasses. Every shepherd has his own indispensable team of welsh border collies. Shearing mostly takes place from May to July, a team of expert shearers moving from farm to farm, and the wool is sold at the Fete des Tondailles in Martel in July.

Goats also abound in the area, and a special small, round, white cheese called a 'cabecou' is the local speciality.

	View of the church and tower of Montvalent from the causse above the village
	The small oak trees are the main feature of the causse
	Cut into the causse are dry valleys known as combes. Often they are cleared and cultivated as they provide the most fertile land.
	In early spring the jonquils, or wild daffodils, carpet the floor of the oak woods
	The beautiful wild jonquils - a sign of warm weather to come
	The wide expanse of the landscape. The population density is low!
	A ruined barn, now overtaken by modern farming methods
	The dry stone walls of the causse can be works of art
	The sheep farmers of the causse rely on their border collies to help drive the sheep out to the pastures, and back to the bergerie each night
	The caussenardes - the rustic breed of sheep which populate the farms of the causse
	Depopulation of the Causse has led to abandoned villages like this one at Barrières, near Miers
	Another once well cared for house at Barrières
	A ruined bread oven at Barrières
	Hang gliders over the Cirque of Montvalent, in the valley of the river Dordogne
	The view from up there must be excellent!