Martel
Martel is the ancient capital town of the viscountcy of Turenne and a remarkably well-preserved example of a medieval town, known as the 'town of the seven towers'.
Founded in the 11th century, it is situated at the crossroads of the north/south route from Paris to Toulouse and the east/west route carrying the salt and wine trade from Bordeaux. It was owned by the viscounts of Turenne who installed their consuls here to administer the town.
In the 14th century Martel was a wealthy and important trading town where many merchants had built large houses, where pilgrims passed through on their way to Rocamadour and where religious orders provided care for the sick and needy. To protect the growing town from incursions by mercenary armies during the Hundred Years War, new fortifications were constructed, the remains of which are still visible today.
In the 15th century many new, elegant mansions were built and the church of St Maur was enlarged. But in 1738 the town began to lose its strategic importance, with the sale of the viscountcy of Turenne to the Crown and the realignment of the north/south road to a new bridge in competition with Souillac and its river crossing. After that, even so, Martel became famous for its big truffle markets. The truffle train to Paris was called the Truffadou.
Nowadays, visitors find it a pleasant place to explore on foot. Tourist Office leaflets point out the buildings of interest, including the tower of Tournemire (once a prison) next to the post office, and the 13th century fortress of the Palais de la Raymondie in the medieval heart of the town, now housing the Mairie and many exhibitions and events held throughout the year.
In summer regular Wednesday concerts are held under the market hall and annual fêtes include the relaxed Fête des Bandas in June, the Fête des Tondailles (sheep shearing) in July and the four-day fête in late August with music, dancing and a fairground attracting locals and visitors alike.
Rocamadour
The major pilgrimage site of Rocamadour is one of the most visited places in France. The best way to see it is from many angles... First stop at L'Hospitalet, at the top of the canyon of the Alzou, for amazing views of the village clinging to the rocky cliffs with the chateau perched on top. Then walk or take the lifts down to the sanctuary and its many chapels, impossibly located at mid-level
between the chateau and the village below. From there you can walk or take another lift down to the main street where in summer you will find a plethora of shops, cafés and restaurants. Alternatively, drive down the narrow road, through tunnels cut into the rock, into the valley bottom, to take in the view and then walk up to explore the village. Visit Rocamadour at night for magnificent views of the Cité. Or drive up towards Couzou on the opposite side of the Alzou valley for yet another view of the town.
Among the attractions are :
Rocher des Aigles - See magnificent birds of prey on the ground and in flight. Near the chateau.
Forêt des Singes - Meet and feed monkeys in the open air. On the road leading from Rocamadour to Gramat.
Moulin de Cougnaguet - A medieval watermill on the river Ouysse which re-emerges from its underground course at the gouffres of Cabouy and Saint-Sauveur nearby. Guided tour of the building and machinery, with a leaflet in English. On the track between Lacave and Rocamadour.
The valley of the Dordogne, to the east...
The pretty villages upriver from Montvalent, such as Carennac, Loubressac are Autoire are well worth a visit as are Collonges-la-Rouge, Meyssac and Curemonte in the south of nearby Corrèze.
Driving east, you will find the bastide of Bretenoux and its chateau of Castelnau-Bretenoux (open all year), the chateau of Montal near Saint-Céré, and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne with its abbey church and lake on the river Dordogne.
The valley of the Dordogne, to the west...
In the department of Dordogne : Sarlat , Domme, the chateau of Castelnau near Vitrac (museum of medieval armaments), the chateau of Beynac, La Roque Gageac, the gardens of Marquessac and Eyrignac.
The grotte of Lascaux is situated near Montignac, north of Sarlat. Visitors can see a facsimile of the real cave which is closed in order to protect the famous paintings.
Underground visits
The Gouffre of Padirac (15 minutes) is a spectacular visit with its cathedral sized caverns and underground river.
The guided tour of the caves at Lacave (25 minutes) starts with a train ride and takes you through superb stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Cahors
Cahors, the 'capital' of Lot, is in the south of the department, originally built in a tight loop of the river
that gives the department its name. Don't miss the medieval Pont de Valentré and the cathedral in the centre of the old town, next to the market square.
Saint-Cirq Lapopie and the valley of the Célé
The pretty village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie was voted France television viewers' favourite French village in 2012. The village is a masterpiece of medieval architecture, perched on a cliff overlooking a meander of the Lot. The fortified church of St ???, towers over the village houses with their brown-tiled roofs typical of Quercy.
Around Saint-Cirq Lapopie :
The canal towpath to Bouziès, cut into the base of the cliff.
The caves of Pech Merle, near Cabrerets, with its wall paintings of astounding quality. Visitor numbers to Pech-Merle are limited, so it's important to book in advance.
Musée de Plein Air de Cuzals (open-air museum) at Sauliac-sur-Célé. The collections depict rural life between the early 19th and mid 20th century with reconstructions of houses, bread oven, workshops etc. Various special events mainly on Sundays. Open in summer.
The Benedictine Abbey (11th century) and village of Marcilhac-sur-Célé.
