EXPLORE
We would like to share with you our suggestions and tips to get the best out of your visit.
The real beauty of Figeac is that it is a rare example of a medieval town first established in 853AD that has kept its historic buildings still intact, with many dating back as far as the 13th century. We suggest a walk around the town to see how little has changed.
Almost a rite of passage is a visit to the Champollion Museum. An excellent, modern museum set in the birthplace of Jean-François Champollion. In 1822, he not only deciphered the Rosetta Stone, but also uncovered the secrets behind Egyptian hieroglyphs. Perfect for all ages, it houses a giant replica of the Rosetta stone and also offers an audio tour in many languages. footnote; look above the original stone door frame and notice the tree of life cut into the stonework.
Walk up to the 13th century church of Notre Dame du Puy and from this viewpoint, you will have a bird’s eye view of the town. It is worth spending at least two days in Figeac, there are many restaurants, cafes, interesting shops and other tourist attractions to enjoy.
An hour to the west is the city of Cahors. With its wide tree lined streets, honey coloured stone and timber buildings, it has very warm southern feel and it also has a rich history. Deemed important enough to be fought over by both Spain and England, much of the old town including the spectacular Saint Etienne Cathedral and the beautiful Pont Valentré fortified medieval bridge over the river Lot, still remain intact. footnote; look out for the devil carved into the bridge! and consider taking the old road along the Lot for fantastic views.
Rocamadour is where legend and history mingle with old stone houses, majestic towers and a castle clinging to the cliffs of the Alzou Canyon. A major tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has also been a crucial pilgrimage site on the ‘Way of Saint James’ for hundreds of years.
Other places to visit are Pech Merle Caves (prehistoric wall art), Le Gouffre de Padirac (underground river), picturesque Faycelles and Najac with Conques to the south.
