For quite a few years I’ve heard folks rave about visiting Figeac, a quiet medieval city within the Lot division that’s on the Camino de Santiago route. It has a wealthy historical past with plenty of medieval attraction and walkable streets. Many buildings are from the Thirteenth to sixteenth centuries.
So on a current journey, I spent 2 nights in Figeac as a stopover earlier than heading deeper into the Aveyron area. I needed to see if it was well worth the go to.
It was.
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Whereas Figeac will not be must-see, High 10 vacation spot, I feel it’s one of many extra nice, easy-to-explore cities with a relaxed environment. I cherished with the ability to stroll in all places, and within the night, strolling again to my lodge by means of the slender, dimly lit streets felt like stepping again in time. (And sure, I felt utterly protected).
Should you’re travelling by means of this a part of France, Figeac makes for an fulfilling cease. It’s a ravishing, historic city that also feels genuine. There’s plenty of eating places and quick access to close by websites. Right here’s what to see, the place to eat, and some nice excursions close by.
The place is Figeac situated? It’s nestled within the Célé Valley of the Lot division, about 2.5 hours north of Toulouse and 4 hours east of Bordeaux.
A. Issues to Do in Figeac: A Charming Stopover In The Lot
1. Exploring Figeac’s Historic Streets
Within the Thirteenth-14th centuries, Figeac was a flourishing metropolis in southern France and the profitable retailers and bourgeois constructed grand mansions within the metropolis. So earlier than you head out to see some museums or sties, I’d counsel you simply begin wandering round this stunning city to be able to see the homes from the center ages and half-timbered buildings.
2. Musée Champollion
Musée Champollion is the home the place metropolis native, Jean-François Champollion was born. In 1822, he not solely deciphered the Rosetta Stone, but in addition uncovered the key behind Egyptian hieroglyphs and extra about Egyptian historical past and tradition.
Champollion was an excellent little one and scholar who taught himself to learn and was solely 17 when he started his research on the Collège de France and the Ecole des Langues Orientales in Paris.
This museum seems to be at his achievements within the space of Egyptology and in addition different languages from around the globe. The shows are attention-grabbing however the entrance home windows to me are the very best. The museum faces Place Champollion, which, together with Place Carnot, are well-liked areas with eating places that includes outside terraces. [Note: there is a covered market at Place Carnot on Saturday mornings].
3. Place de Ecrites
Be certain you go to Place de Ecrites. Set in pavement is a big copy of the Rosetta Stone. It was created by American artist Joseph Kosuth in 1991 as a tribute to Jean-François Champollion. The brief trek from the museum to see the reproduction takes you thru medieval streets. You’ll stumble upon a courtyard surrounded by buildings and terraced gardens. The black granite stone exhibits Greek, demotic Egyptian and Egyptian hieroglyphs.
4. Eglise Notre Dame du Puy
Situated above Figeac is Eglise Notre Dame du Puy and the views of the village from the terrace within the early morning had been gorgeous. The fog and mist coated the bushes earlier than dissipating by the morning solar.
5. Eglise Abbatiale Saint Sauveur
The opposite church, Saint-Sauveur Abbey, is the most important in Figeac. It’s situated within the historic centre of the town and was based in 838 by Benedictine monks from Conques. It turned an abbey within the twelfth century and showcases stunning stained glass home windows, Romanesque and Gothic artwork, and carved picket panels within the facet chapel.
6. La Commanderie des Templiers
At La Commanderie des Templiers, situated on rue Gambetta, the non secular and army order, the Knights Templar, established their monastery and headquarters within the twelfth century. It was like a headquarters for the Templars and included areas for worship and lodging. It’s a museum immediately with wonderful shows about medieval life and relying on the season, there will be actions for kids.
The highest flooring presents wonderful rooftop views of Figeac. The Commandery can be known as the Tour du Griffon due to the carved mythological creature, a griffin (half lion and half eagle), on one of many towers.
7. Stroll Alongside The Banks Of The Célé River
Along with strolling round Figeac’s historic centre, additionally stroll alongside the banks of the Célé River at nightfall. You’ll get some stunning views.
B. Excursions From Figeac In Lot And Aveyron France
In case you are utilizing Figeac as your base and have a couple of days, there are numerous excursions to so many nice locations not simply within the Lot division but in addition within the Aveyron division. They vary from 10 minutes to an hour away.
1. In The Lot Division
- Capdenac-Le-Haut is certainly one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (within the Lot division) and you may examine it right here =10 minutes southeast
- Gouffre de Padirac: A Fascinating Cave With An Underground River =45 minutes northwest
- Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Rocamadour-Finest Perched Villages In The Lot =Underneath 1 hour, additional west
2. In The Aveyron Division
- Reproduction Eiffel Tower In Capdenac-Gare (Aveyron)
- Simply throughout the Lot River from Capdenac-Le-Haut is Capdenac-Gare, situated within the Aveyron division. What’s so attention-grabbing about this city? It has a reproduction of the Eiffel Tower…a a lot smaller model.
- Right here you will note a scale copy of the Eiffel Tower (1/15 scale). It’s 28 metres excessive, weighs 10 tons and has 250 bolts. Situated close to the town’s prepare station in Parc de la Rotande, it sits subsequent to a steam locomotive from 1883 that symbolizes Capdenac-Gare as a railway hub of the southern Massif Central.
- Sadly, there aren’t any indicators explaining when it was constructed and why. This reproduction did have the town identify on it and the Olympic rings. I learn that building started in 2017 by carpenter-roofer, Alain Lacombe. As president of the native competition committee, he needed to have a good time the a hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the Eiffel Tower (first in-built 1887). The reproduction was accomplished in 2019 and Lacombe hoped that its creation would possibly persuade the Olympic organizes to have the Olympic flame cross by means of Capdenac-Gare in 2024. Sadly, the town was not chosen.
- Here’s a report on the development of the reproduction: https://youtu.be/zLbueXIPxOQ?si=injwevm3nzCmV1O8
- Handle: 57 Rue Voltaire, 12700 Capdenac-Gare=50 minutes east
- Conques: Gorgeous Village, Abbey, Controversial Home windows=50 minutes east
- Belcastel (50 min SE) and and Villeneuve d’Aveyron (25 minutes south). These are each designated, “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”.
- Villlefranche-de-Rouerge-visit the well-known Thursday market=40 minutes south
After a day of exploring Figeac and its close by cities, you’ll most likely be prepared for an excellent meal. Listed below are two nice restaurant suggestions, plus the place I stayed throughout my go to.
C. Figeac Restaurant Suggestions
1. La Puce de ‘Oreille (Dinner)
I loved a comfortable dinner at La Puce de ‘Oreille, choosing the Prix Fixe menu with a 25cl pichet of pink Cahors wine.
- Starter: Cabécou Goat Cheese Salad — a inventive mixture of toasted goat cheese, native honey, cucumber, apples, home made parmesan and potato chips, recent figs, and croutons.
- Predominant: ½ Duck Breast with Honey and 4 Spices — served with rice and a colourful Asian stir-fry of purple cauliflower, mushrooms, inexperienced beans, and yellow carrots.
- Dessert: Le Pastis du Quercy — a Quercy specialty with layers of phyllo, apple, and almonds, topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. A really candy end!
Complete Value: Prix Fixe menu (39 €) + wine (7 €) = 46 €
Handle: 5 Rue Saint-Thomas, 46100 Figeac
2. La Petite Distinction (Lunch)
Within the historic centre of Figeac there are numerous shops and eating places and I had a wonderful lunch at La Petite Distinction. My starter was a Velouté de Légumes (Creamy vegetable soup) that had 2 mini vegetable pancakes (?) added into the bowl. The principle course was a quiche with Tomme cheese, served with a facet salad that had pomegranates, tomatoes, asparagus, and cucumbers. I additionally had a glass of wine.
Title Value: 22 €
Handle: 15 Rue Gambetta, 46100 Figeac
D. Figeac Lodging
I extremely suggest Lodge Le Quatorze in Figeac. It’s situated proper within the historic centre, with the choice of paid parking of their storage or free parking in a courtyard subsequent to the lodge — I had no bother discovering a spot!
My room was massive, quiet, and comfy, full with a kettle for espresso or tea. Breakfast was nicely well worth the 13€: a scrumptious unfold of croissants, breads, cheeses, cereals, tarts, jams, fromage blanc, and a wide range of sizzling drinks.
Handle: 14 Pl. de l’Estang, 46100 Figeac, France
Click on right here to search out the very best worth: Lodge Le Quatorze
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