Discover Espedaillac: Walking Trails and Sheep Farming Culture

Espedaillac combines walking trails with a landscape shaped to a significant extent by sheep farming. Two easy circular trails start in the village and differ in length and walking time. There are also the caselles along the Sentier de la Brebis, the history of the Église Saint-Blaise, and a traditional festival in honor of the Caussenarde. A trip here therefore brings together outdoor activity and the history of its buildings and community.

Two circular trails with different time commitments

The Sentier de la Brebis is an easy 3.9-kilometer circular hiking trail with a walking time of about 1 hour 30 minutes. “Un paysage façonné par la brebis” is also easy: The circular trail starts in Espedaillac, covers 7.1 kilometers, and takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Both trails start in the village. The difference is 3.2 kilometers and around an hour of walking time. This lets you choose between a shorter loop and more time on foot, without any difference in their stated difficulty.

“Un paysage façonné par la brebis” is also accessible to mountain bikers and horse riders, and is equipped with information panels that interpret the trail. The Sentier de la Brebis explicitly focuses on the heritage associated with sheep farming: The trail explains how it shaped the landscapes of the Causse. Both routes therefore explore sheep farming, but have different practical features.

Sheep farming and architectural heritage

The landscapes of Espedaillac have been shaped to a significant extent by sheep farming. The Caussenarde is particularly characteristic of the area; this sheep breed is also known as the “sheep with glasses.” This gives the theme of the walking trails a specific regional connection: In addition to the landscape itself, they draw attention to livestock farming and its cultural significance.

The caselles along the Sentier de la Brebis are huts built entirely from dry stone, without mortar. They were constructed mostly in the 19th century. Their uses extended beyond housing and tending animals: They were also used to store tools, grain, or wine, and to provide shelter from the weather. Their various uses show how closely the huts were tied to the everyday work of livestock farming and provisioning.

Church history and the Fête de la brebis

The Église Saint-Blaise d'Espédaillac tells the story of another chapter in the village's history. The former church was completely destroyed by the Huguenots in 1573. It was rebuilt in the 17th century under the direction of the then commander, Balthazar Fraissac. Its destruction and reconstruction thus took place in two clearly distinct historical periods.

The Fête de la brebis also celebrates the Caussenarde. This traditional festival in Espedaillac is dedicated to the sheep breed. The 2026 festival program includes a guided walk along the Sentier de la Brebis. It explores the economic, ecological, and cultural-historical significance of sheep farming. The walk thus connects the trail with several aspects of regional livestock farming, while the trail itself conveys the area's heritage and landscape history.

Local cuisine

The 2026 festival program includes food from regional producers, among it Cabécous, sheep's cheese, ice cream and pizza, as well as spit-roasted poultry and lamb. If you are planning your trip around the festival, check the dates and program for the relevant edition in advance; the food listed here is from the 2026 program.

The Auberge Beauville is recommended in Espedaillac for its generous, authentic local cuisine. Check current opening hours and offerings before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Mirandol, Rouffilhac, Fontanes-du-Causse, Flaugnac, Lunan, Tour De Faure, Saint-Laurent-Les-Tours, Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie.

For the broader travel overview: Lot.