Map of the Area

Bonaguil

Arguably France’s most magnificent fortified castle, Bonaguil castle (listed) dates back to the 13th, 15th and 18th centuries.

Located in the commune of Saint Front sur Lémance near St Martin le Redon this fortress is unique in Europe in illustrating how military architecture evolved from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and beyond.

The approach road from St Martin le Redon offers a fabulous view of the castle from a layby, where you can park your car and walk the short distance remaining. At the foot of the castle you’ll find a bar offering simple meals and a restaurant, and there is an excellent specialist castle book shop.

Cassagnes

Situation: This peaceful village is situated 6 km from the Lot valley. The river Thèze passes nearby where you can fish for trout. Within easy reach are the bastides villages (new towns) of Villefranche du Périgord, Monpazier, Monflanquin, Tournon d'Agenais, Bonaguil Castle as well as the Lot and Dordogne Valley.

Cassagnes is perched on a hill top overlooking the Thèze Valley and the RD 673 (Fumel-Gourdon) surrounded by chestnut forests and valleys, much appreciated by hikers. Below in the Thèze Valley is a large lake where you can fish and picnic in the shade.

A Brief History. Cassagnes comes from the Occitan word "casse" (meaning oak, for which the word "garrit" is also sometimes used). This parish is first mentioned in 1926 in the will of a Puy l'Évêque resident. Cassagne became a village in 1867. Before the French Revolution it was under the jurisdiction of Montcabrier. It was part of the parish of Puy l'Évêque during the revolution then added to Cazals when it was merged with Pomarède. Around the year 1953 it became part of the Puy l'Évêque parish again

Events. 1st weekend in July; annual village fête.

Sights. The church has retained some interesting aspects dating back to the 12th century, the southern graveyard gate (listed in 1925) and the choir stalls (restored in 1965) where you can admire the sculptures around the apse. There are also three stone "wash houses" situated on springs, called Pas de Sivié,  Fontaine de Tarrieu and Moulin de la Courtine

Touzac

Situation: Touzac is situated on the banks of the Lot River. A small village of 500 acres, it consists of a vast plain with agricultural farm land and vineyards, part of the Cahors “appellation contrôlée” area. The restored XVII century neo-Romanaque church is noted for its remarkable canopy.

Close by is the Hotel Restaurant La Source Bleue with its famous fresh water spring. It was the home of Marguerite Moreno a celebrated actress and silent movie star. She is buried in the local cemetary.

Leisure, activities. Annual village fête and flea market: 3rd weekend in July.

Duravel

Situation: Duravel is situated at the foot of wooded hillsides sheltering it from northerly winds thus ensuring a sunny and warm climate.

A vast plain bordered by the River Lot spreads in a southerly direction, consisting primarily of centuries old family vineyards.

The town with its narrow streets, stone houses and old church is set on the flanks of the hillside..

The surrounding countryside with its hills consisting of acres of woods, green pastures and vineyards offer numerous possibilities for walks.

A brief History. Once an ancient Gallo-Roman city, Duravel (first named Diolindum), was a Roman military camp on the strategic Bordeaux to Lyon road. Unfortunalely vestiges of this period were destroyed during the religious wars in 1596.

In the 9th century Duravel had a priory here which depended on the Moissac Abbey (founded by Clovis and restored by Charlemagne). The bodies of three saints originating from Palestine and Egypt -- Hilarion, Agathon and Poemon - were brought here where they still lie in the crypte. Regular pilgrimages originating from the 12th century still occur and every five years they are celebrated with the "Fête de l'Ostension" the last one was in 2005.

In 1369, during the "100 year war" Duravel was attacked by the English serving under Robert Knolles. The 6000 inhabitants held out for six weeks and finally drove the Engish away. In gratitude, the king granted the town its own coat of arms.

Events. Weekly street market on Saturday morning.
3rd Sunday in April: flower and tree fête.
Last Sunday in May: brocante (flea market).
13th & 14th July: annual village fête, evening market and candle lit parade.
15th August weekend: Wine and regional produce fair.
3rd weekend in October: annual village fête

St Martin le Redon

Cubertou is part of the commune of St Martin le Redon. The heart of the village nestles in the fertile valley of the Thèze (a tributary of the Lot river), with Cubertou perched near the top of a hill opposite with wide views over the valley.

A Brief History. Saint Martin le Redon seems to have been inhabited since the earliest times. Archaeological digs have revealed vestiges of the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods and more recently the Bronze age.  The village’s fresh water spring (Saint Martial) is famous for its dermatological virtues.

The Roman road which used to join St Martin and Duravel is still just visible, going through the village, and became in the middle ages "le chemin des auverganat". Nowadays it is a popular path for holiday makers on walking holidays. The Romanesque church, the towers of Guiral castle at Cazes-Marnhac, Mescalpres (a mysterious gothic tower set in the woods) all date from this medieval period. Some of the village houses date back to the XVII and XVIII centuries. And it's from Saint Martin le Redon that you get the best view of the impressive outline of Bonaguil Castle, a perfect example of medieval military architecture.

Activities. Activities are organized all year round by local inhabitants, such as the fête (1st weekend in July), midsummer’s night, brocantes (flea markets) in April and a night market on the theme “art et terroir” on the 2nd Wednesday in August. A local club, "Cavalcade", organises horse riding activities and trekking through the country side

Leisure. Leisure activities are linked to the exceptional beauty of the surrounding country side with its many trekking circuits, fishing in the Thèze river (trout). There is a fish farm at Moulin de Guiral where you can fish your own trout and a range of other fish including fresh water crayfish. There is a tennis court at your disposal.

St Hilarion Crypt

A Brief History. Duravel is an ancient village dating back to the Gallo-Roman period, when it was known as Diolindum. It was then a large town with over 5000 inhabitants, strategically placed on the route between Lyon and Bordeaux.

Later in the 11th century it became the property of Moissac Abbey which created a priory which served as a place for retired monks.

Crypt. It's hard to date this very interesting construction. On the whole specialists agree that it is one of the few pre-Romanesque vestiges in France. It is safe to assume that it is much older then the 11th century and the previous church (St Etienne). Nevertheless some of the capitals were modified towards the end of the 11th century and seem to date from three distinct periods.

Further detail. The 4 capitals all around the crypt apart from the two situated at the entrance on the extreme left and right are date most certainly from the11th century. These are the finest and are crafted with extreme attention detail, some of them identical - a figure representing a bird and a peacock.

The two capitals on both sides of the arcoselium seem to represent the letter "T" and it is assumed that this signified the T of the Holy Trinity.

Regardless of their significance, the two capitals display patterns of rare talent and remarkable craftsmanship.

On one of these capitals there is a partly faded inscription, "Bernardus Cadurcenis". This probably refers to the Bishop of Cahors, Bernard IV, who in all likelihood "consecrated" the crypt after its 11th century restoration.

At the bases of the capitals, the snake wrapped around itself symbolises death, whereas the peacock at the top represents resurrection

Soturac

Situation:

Set on the border of the Périgord-Noir, the Quercy and the Agenais on the right bank of the River Lot. Just 5 kms from Fumel, Soturac is positioned on the border of the Lot and the Lot et Garonne.

Surrounded by vineyards this is the beginning of the famous AOC Cahors wine country. To the east lies Cavagnac amidst sumptuous surroundings, stretching all the way to Bonaguil Castle.

A brief history:
During the Gallo-Roman period it was a vast farming estate called Saturios. The Christian civilisation later founded a parish and built a church on the location of the present one.

An ancient royal "suzerainté" (overlord), Soturac was in the middle ages under the jursidiction of Montcabrier and Duravel. It was also a "co-signory" of the Gironde, Sauhac de Belcastel and Fumel families. Modern Soturac was founded in 1801 and regrouped d'Aglan, Cavagnac, Couvert and Soturac.

Sites.  rebuilt in 1893.
 •  The hamlet of Couvert close to Bonaguil.
 • The castles of Gaudusson (XIXth century), Fossat (XVIIth century), Lavaur (XVIIth century).
 •  Medieval village of Cavagnac with its typical stone houses and XVIII century church bell tower and Roman wall.

Montcabrier

Situation. 13th century “bastide” situated in the centre of the Thèze Valley on the border of the Périgord, the Agenais and the Quercy (Lot Valley).

A brief history:
Established in 1298 during the reign of Philippe le Bel by the Périgord and Quercy 'sénechal', Guy de Capary. Montcabrier was at war with the lords of Pestillac (a “castrum” or fortified complex originally separate from living quarters) situated opposite on the other side of the Thèze Valley). Fighting was fierce but Montcabrier was ultimately victorious.

A typical bastide (medieval new town). Characterised by its grid layout of streets centred around its village square, the village boasts impressive architecture with arcades and "cornières" or covered market arcades. The XIV century church dedicated to St Louis, with its bell tower, overlooks the village.

Shops. Bakery, grocery store.

Leisure, activities:
  •  walking (GR 652 - Montcabrier circuit).
  •  mountain bike, pétanque (French bowls),
  •  Regional products market every friday (July - August).
  •  Flea market - brocante the weekend of 15 August.
  •  Village fête 4th weekend of August

Mescalpres

Medieval watch-tower. Situated in the chestnut forest above St Martin le Redon this Gothic medieval watch tower dating from the XIVth century will take you unawares!

It was most likely one of many towers built by the knights affiliated to Pestillac Castle to give advance warning of intruders and attacks..

Later in the 11th century it became the property of Moissac Abbey which created a priory which served as a place for retired monks.

Puy l’Evêque

Situation

Puy l’Evêque is the Lot’s 3rd most important tourist site and with its medieval buildings clinging to a steep slope down to the river, it’s easy to see why.

A brief history

Around 1000 AD, the village was simply called Puy (or Puech or Puig), but as the village supported the Cathars, it was taken by the Bishop of Cahors in 1227 and attached to this diocese, hence the addition of l’Evêque (meaning the bishop).

The old town is well worth a visit:

• 13th century keep (23 m high) on the Place de la Truffière
• St Sauveur church (listed) built in the 14th century and restored in the 19th, unusually at some distance from the old centre
• 15th century listed Calvary cross in the cemetery
• Houses with medieval towers
• “La Cale” - the old port where boats used to dock

Nearby
Courbenac: Château de Bar and 15th century church
Martignac: 13th century listed Romanesque church with 15th and 16th century murals (also listed)

Events

• 1st w/e in July: flea market
• Evening market in July
• Painting and photography contest on the theme of Puy l’Evêque in August
• 2nd Thursday in August : Cahors wine festival
• 2nd w/e in August : annual fête and riverside firework display
• Mid-August – exhibition of contemporary painting “Au fil de l’art”Puy l’Evêque is the administrative centre of the canton and has a good range of shops and restaurants and a lively street market on Saturday morning.

Prayssac

Situation

A lively village with a delightful shaded main square, visit Prayssac on Friday mornings to enjoy its street market.

Nearby

The Dolmen’s trail is a signposted ridge path dotted with gariottes (shelters built entirely of stone) including an unusual twin gariotte and dolmens, and can be reached from Prayssac, Castelfranc or Les Junies. Their names often reflect the shape of these ancient structures:
Betrandoune’s dolmen, Roquebert’s Chaos, Ceasar’s throne…

Events

Palm Sunday: “Foire des Rameaux”
Last w/e in June or 1st of July: flea markets
14 July: national day and open air meal
Last but one Friday in July: pottery fair
Monday to Thursday late July/early August: world folklore festival
2nd Thursday in August: Antiques/ white elephant fair