Lot, a department of south-western France, formed in 1790 from the district of Quercy, part of the old province of Guyenne. It is bounded at north by Correze, at west by Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne, at south by Tarn-et-Garonne, and at east by Aveyron and Cantal. The department extends over the western segment of the Massif Central of France; it slopes on the way to the south-west, and has a highest altitude of 2560 ft. on the borders of Cantal with a smallest amount of 213 ft. at the point where the waterway Lot quits the department.

The Lot department of France is located to the north of the Midi-Pyrenees region, just east of the Dordogne department of Aquitaine. In the history preceding the revolution of France the department was recognized as Quercy. The Lot region is a territory of attractive landscapes of dramatic gorges, slow moving rivers, and the vineyards of Cahors- highlights included the Upper Dordogne Valley and the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park. The area is sprinkled with inconspicuous small towns and villages, unspoiled by the passage of time, and frequently a delight to discover and explore.