Alvignac-Miers

Alvignac-Miers in the Lot département of the Quercy region draws from oligomineral springs in a limestone plateau close to the prehistoric painted caves of the Dordogne and Lot valleys, where the extraordinarily beautiful cave systems of Pech Merle, Cougnac, and Lacave provide a geological and cultural context of unique depth for the thermal tradition of this quiet corner of south-western France. The lightly mineralised spring water of Alvignac belongs to a long thermal tradition connecting the mineral cure with the medieval pilgrimage route to Rocamadour, the dramatic clifftop sanctuary just kilometres away that drew medieval pilgrims from across Europe along routes now retraced by modern walkers on the Via Podiensis. The village's position in the heart of the black truffle, foie gras, and walnut oil country of the Lot gives the spa experience here a gastrogeothermal richness characteristic of one of France's most intensely flavoured regional cuisines.