The Lot (pronounced [lɔt] ⓘ), originally the Olt (Occitan: Òlt; Latin: Oltis), is a river in France.

The Lot is prone to flooding in the winter and spring, and has many dams in its upper catchment area, mainly on the Truyère, which produce hydroelectric power of strategic importance for the French national grid.

The major project to restore navigability of the river Lot was conceived by local stakeholders in Decazeville and Cahors in the 1970s.

A study to assess the feasibility of developing waterway tourism on the river was undertaken in 1985-86, and led to the first 64 km length being restored and opened in 1990.

The Lot is now open to recreational navigation and passenger boats in three sections, with long-term plans to interconnect them currently floundering for lack of political support and funding.

[2] Development of boat traffic on the river has been affected by poor conditions of navigation on the Garonne, to be crossed over a length of 5 km to gain access to the entrance lock at Nicole.