Carlux offers several ways to shape your stay: the Boucle de Carlux is a walking route focused on culture, history and nature; other hiking trails and a green cycling route also run through the area. Canoeing on the Dordogne and beaches suitable for swimming and relaxation are also on offer. Buildings from different centuries, a museum of photography and film, and gardens arranged around different themes add cultural and horticultural highlights. You can choose to focus on outdoor activities, history or time outdoors.
Hiking and Cycling
The Boucle de Carlux is an easy 6.0-kilometre circular walk, taking about two hours. It is a walking trail with cultural, historical and nature-focused highlights. The starting point is the car park at Place des Platanes. From there, the route follows the D61 towards Saint-Julien-de-Lampon and the château. The approximate walking time and distance help you decide whether this route fits into your planned day. Practical route details may change; check them before setting out.
The GR6 long-distance trail and numerous other hiking trails also run through Carlux. The Sarlat–Cazoulès green cycling route passes through the commune and offers an alternative to walking trails. You can go canoeing on the Dordogne. Carlux also has beaches suitable for relaxation and swimming. Hiking, cycling and water activities are distinct options to consider when planning your stay.
Buildings and Culture
Along Carlux’s discovery trail, you’ll encounter buildings and features dating from several centuries. The Gothic fireplace dates from the 14th century, and Sainte Catherine Church from the 14th and 15th centuries. The covered market is a 19th-century building; its timber structure is particularly noteworthy. These three stops offer different ways to explore the area’s cultural history: from a Gothic detail to a church built over a longer period, and then to the market hall’s construction.
The Château de Carlux is also part of the town’s historic character. It is protected as a historic monument in France; its current designation dates from 7 December 2022. The château survives as ruins. Its protected status and present state of preservation describe two different aspects: the monument is protected, while only ruins remain of the building.
The Gare Robert Doisneau is a museum of photography and film. It is the only permanent exhibition venue in France dedicated to Robert Doisneau. Admission is free, and the Gare is open year-round. As visiting details may change, check them before your trip.
Gardens and Time Outdoors
Les Jardins de Cadiot cover two hectares of terraced grounds. Ten themed garden areas and exhibitions of contemporary sculpture shape the site. The gardens are managed according to permaculture principles and are strongly committed to protecting biodiversity. Their themed layout, sculpture exhibitions and approach to cultivation each give the gardens a distinctive character.
If you want to choose where to stay based on a particular interest for the day, you can weigh up the options: the Boucle offers a hike with a specified distance and approximate duration, while the GR6 and other trails provide additional hiking options. For culture, the main attractions are buildings from different centuries and the Gare Robert Doisneau, while the gardens offer a different experience through their themed layout and sculpture exhibitions. This makes it easy to choose Carlux based on the balance you want between outdoor activities, culture and time outdoors.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Capraise-D'eymet, Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Clermont-De-Beauregard, Saint-Maime-De-PĂ©reyrol, Coux-Et-Bigaroque, Veyrignac, Fonroque, Creysse.
For the main travel overview: Dordogne.
