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The “most Beautiful Villages in France”

Puycelsi
Castelnau de Montmiral
Lautrec
Monestiés
Sauveterre
Conques
Belcastel
Najac

Autoire
Loubressac
Carennac

Cardaillac
St Cirq Lapopie

Download route and contact information in pdf format.

The Tarn, the Lot and the Aveyron are particularly well-endowed
with villages in the « most beautiful in France » category. This title, « les plus beaux villages de France », is only awarded on strict criteria: the village must have less than 2 000 inhabitants, at least two listed monuments, and possess a high-quality heritage and surroundings. Knowing all this surely adds to the value and charm of these villages full of character, which put so much effort into keeping intact their authentic identity, maintaining a perfect balance between past and present.

Towns not to be missed

Puycelsi
How long is it since you were in Puycelsi ? A pleasant surprise is in store: the fortified square looks even more beautiful, on its magic carpet suspended above the Forêt de la Grésigne.
Defining the houses, surrounding the gardens open to the street, forming narrow, secret passages, the red-gold limestone walls have acquired a new presence without losing their patina. Perched on the line of the ramparts, delicately restored, the lovely Saint Roch chapel houses the Tourist Office. There have been various changes, which discreetly respect the natural beauty of an exceptional setting.
Leaving awakens a deep desire to return soon, to follow the progress of this pretty child of the Albi region.

Castelnau de Montmiral
The bastide which Count Raymond VII of Toulouse had the excellent idea of founding in the 13th century is a pleasant place. Stroll through the streets laid out like a chess board, past 16th and 17th century houses and around the superb arcaded central square. Follow paths and little roads, with as backdrop the immense Forêt de la Grésigne.

Lautrec
From the Calvaire de la Salette, the village of Lautrec is at your feet, a bouquet of coral, pinned by the fortified Caussade gate to a landscape of billowing, colourful slopes. To the east, the Monts de Lacaune, to the south, the Montagne Noire.
Lautrec the admirable, nestled on its hilltop, overlooking miles and miles of countryside, bleached by the burning sun, full of memories, moments of glory, and tradition…
Founded in 940, Lautrec developed at the foot of a rocky spur which since time immemorial has served to defend it. Like a history book open for all to see, the old buildings will tell you the story of this area as you walk around the streets lined with fascinating reminders of the past.

Monestiés
The artistic adventure which Monestiés opens up to you isn't limited to exploring its mediaeval alleyways and the famous, unique "Entombment", a 15th century work, but also includes the Centre Contemporain Bajén-vega, Spanish artists with complementary personalities.
The cultural heritage of Monestiés is at one with its picturesque natural environment: the old stone houses harmonise perfectly with the hilly, green countryside. In a pleasant setting, Monestiés has the hallmark of genuine serenity.

Sauveterre de Rouergue
A 13th century royal bastide, there is nothing artificial about Sauveterre de Rouergue, which has preserved its archetypal character intact. Even its traditional activities are the expression of an identity firmly grounded in the past. Cutlery making, which made it famous from the 13th to the 18th century, has been resurrected in a workshop where unique items are created. The hat-making tradition is alive and well at a talented milliner's. Similarly, the weavers of Sauveterre still flourish, thanks to very well-renowned workshop specialising in the reproduction of old tapestries… This is the secret of Sauveterre: everything is real, not artificial.

Conques
20th century light on Romanesque art.
Nestling in its wild valley, the village may be delightfully small but it is none the less one of the major places of interest in France. Conques is highly concentrated inspiration for both eyes and mind: an unspoiled mediaeval village, the Treasure of Sainte Foy, a perfect gem of the mediaeval goldsmith's art, and the tympanum showing the Last Judgement which adorns the portal of the church of Ste. Foy, the detail of which is still as impressive as it must have been to the pilgrims on their way to Santiago.

Belcastel
A place to delight the soul.
Beside the Aveyron, Belcastel makes you feel that a little miracle keeps happening. No noisy cars to disturb the steep streets, no false note to disturb the harmony of the granite-walled houses. Just the gentle song of birds nesting on the wooded slopes around the sumptuous castle which makes Belcastel so powerfully attractive. Just the crystalline music of the Aveyron river beneath the arches of the Gothic bridge. Perfect peace. Serenity which the inhabitants of Belcastel proudly cultivate. A corner of Paradise, where you can rest your weary spirit and do your body a lot of plain, simple good.

Najac
Najac the ardent… Perched high up to flirt with the sun, the royal fortress of Najac was done to golden perfection. The bastide which prolongs it, thanks to the single paved street, was also done to a turn in the midday heat. As you sit on a restaurant terrace overlooking the meanders of the Aveyron, how can you resist the gentle lure of this haven of peace ?

Autoire
The image of Autoire will always stay with us. What an amazing contrast between the works of Nature and those of Man in this corner of Haut Quercy. The impressive cliffs encircling Autoire, the sheer, wild heights, the noisy torrent tumbling down 30 metres of rock in successive cascades: these elemental forces provided a spectacle of splendid violence, whilst Autoire bathed in gentle tranquillity. Gracious dwellings, gentlemen's houses with towers and conical roofs, a castle and a manor house compose an elegant group, topped with russet tiles.
The church of St. Pierre, dating from the 12th century, watches over the square where the fountain waters 4 bronze dolphins.
It's hard to imagine that the village was besieged by the English and that it was for a long while a brigands' hideout.
The serenely oblivious elegance of Autoire is in keeping with its cliffs: both partake of a strength that transcends Time.

Loubressac
Robert Doisneau, the famous photographer, often came to Loubressac on holiday. Doubtless he brought his camera, this village perched like a balcony on a cliff in Haut Quercy being nothing if not photogenic.
Without pretending to emulate the master, we had a marvellous time taking shots from every possible angle of the lanes - an unbelievable riot of flowers - converging on the shady main square. We tried to capture the amber tints reflected on the stone, the light on the walls of the castle and of the church. We strolled with immense pleasure, almost forgetting that we were actually walking, along the many footpaths that radiate out from Loubressac to the neighbouring hamlets. Fountains, dolmens, panoramic views opening in every direction over the Dordogne, Cère and Bave valleys, the flower-strewn Causse, dry stone walls… we photographed absolutely everything, and carried it all away with us. What better plunder could there be ?

Carennac
Creamy-coloured stone polished by the centuries, Virginia creeper and wisteria, a fortified priory, church and cloister, the perfume of roses and lavender, not to mention the presence of the legendary Dordogne… how could we resist the charm of Carennac, one of the "most beautiful villages in France"?… According to tradition, François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon, Dean of the priory at the end of the 17th century and tutor to Louis XIV's grandson, was inspired by the lovely scenery to write a work destined for his royal pupil.

Cardaillac
"Le musée éclaté" in Cardaillac is an unusual museum, being on several different sites in the village. As we followed the guided tour around the streets of this attractive little place in Quercy, we saw the house of the "semalier", who used to make the containers for the grape harvest, the chestnut-drying oven, the bread oven, the plum-dryer, the walnut-oil mill, the clog-maker's workshop, and a reconstitution of a classroom. Then we learnt loads of things about hemp weaving, and the skills of the cartwright and the farmer. The children loved this stroll in the fresh air, and so did we.
Another experience was the visit with a lecturer-guide from Figeac to the fortified part of Cardaillac, where 3 towers stand out against the sky. We weren't allowed to leave without hearing the story of the powerful, influential and famous Cardaillacs who gave their name to the village !

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
A listed HM in its entirety, perched on a cliff above the Lot, St Cirq-Lapopie is one of the"most beautiful villages in France": made up of a network of ancient streets and lovely old houses, listed HM, of which some are nobles' houses of great character. "La maison Breton" (HM) reminds us that the surrealist poet was captivated by this unique site. 12th C. church(HM). Ste Croix chapel. Vestiges of castles(13th C.). Village history museum with, in particular, references to the long tradition of wood-turning here. Exceptionally good panorama over the Lot valley from the top of the hill where the castle once stood.

Where to go ?

Puycelsi
La Bastide, le Conservatoire Régional d’Espèces fruitières ancienne et de Vigne.

00 33 (5) 63 33 19 25

Castelnau de Montmiral
La Bastide, le Trésor.
Marché le mardi matin.

00 33 (5) 63 33 15 11

Lautrec
Le Moulin à vent de la Salette, L’Atelier du Sabotier, le Château de Malvignol.
Maché le vendredi matin.

00 33 (5) 63 75 31 40

Monestiés
Mise au Tombeau, Musée Bajén Vega.
Marché le jeudi de 17h à 20h (juillet et août).

00 33 (5) 63 76 19 17

Sauveterre
Bastide, artisanat

00 33 (5) 65 72 02 52

Conques
Visite du Trésor.

08 20 82 08 03

Belcastel
Visite du château.

00 33 (5) 65 64 42 16

Najac
Visite de la forteresse royale.

00 33 (5) 65 29 71 65

Autoire
Cascade, cirque.

00 33 (5) 65 38 11 85

Loubressac

00 33 (5) 65 10 82 18

Carennac
• Le Cloître.

00 33 (5) 65 10 97 01
• Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture du Patrimoine et du Paysage du pays de la Vallée de la Dordogne.

00 33 (5) 65 10 97 01

00 33 (5) 65 10 97 01
• Musée des Arômes.

00 33 (5) 65 10 91 16

Cardaillac
Le Musée Eclaté.

00 33 (5) 65 40 10 63

St Cirq Lapopie
• Musée Rignault

00 33 (5) 65 31 23 22
• Musée de la Mémoire du village

00 33 (5) 65 31 21 51

Where to stay ?

Lautrec
• Chambres d’Hôtes
Château de Montcuquet
Gîtes de France – 4 épis

00 33 (5) 63 75 90 07

Puycelsi
• Hôtel restaurant L’Ancienne Auberge ***
36 rue Cap de Castel

00 33 (5) 63 33 65 90

00 33 (5) 63 33 21 12

Conques
• Grand Hotel Ste Foy****

00 33 (5) 65 69 84 03

00 33 (5) 65 72 81 04

• Hôtel-restaurant Le Moulin de Cambelong***

00 33 (5) 65 72 84 77

00 33 (5) 65 72 83 91

• Auberge Saint Jacques**
Logis de France.

00 33 (5) 65 72 86 36

00 33 (5) 65 72 82 47

Najac
• Hôtel-restaurant l’Oustal del Barry**
Logis de France

00 33 (5) 65 29 74 32

00 33 (5) 65 29 75 32

• Hôtel-restaurant Le Belle Rive **
Logis de France

00 33 (5) 65 29 73 90

00 33 (5) 65 29 76 88

Belcastel
• Hôtel-restaurant du Vieux Pont***

00 33 (5) 65 64 52 29

00 33 (5) 65 64 44 32

Sauveterre
• Hôtel-restaurant Le Sénéchal***

00 33 (5) 65 71 29 00

00 33 (5) 65 71 29 09

Castelnau de Montmiral
• Hôtel restaurant Les Consuls**
Logis de France
Place de la Mairie

00 33 (5) 63 33 17 44

00 33 (5) 63 33 61

Autoire
• Hôtel restaurant Auberge de la Fontaine**

00 33 (5) 65 10 85 40

00 33 (5) 65 10 12 70

Monestiés
• Hostellerie restaurant Saint Jacques**
Logis de France
Route de Carmaux

00 33 (5) 63 76 11 72

00 33 (5) 63 76 19 28

Carennac
• Hôtel restaurant Le Vieux Quercy ***

00 33 (5) 65 10 96 59

00 33 (5) 65 10 94 05

Loubressac
• Hôtel restaurant Lou Cantou**

00 33 (5) 65 38 20 58

00 33 (5) 65 38 25 37

• Relais de Castelnau***

00 33 (5) 65 10 80 90

00 33 (5) 65 38 22 02

St Cirq Lapopie
• La Pelissaria***

00 33 (5) 65 31 25 14

00 33 (5) 65 30 25 52

• Auberge du Sombral**
Place du Sombral

00 33 (5) 65 31 26 08

00 33 (5) 65 30 26 37

• Chambres d'Hôtes - 3 épis
Chez Mme Agnès Dadoun
Route du Carol

00 33 (5) 65 31 49 10

06 12 29 76 55

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Discovery offer

Randonnée pédestre des Bastides albigeoises en 6 étapes
Cette randonnée pédestre à vocation culturelle vous fera côtoyer les énigmes de l’histoire Cathare. Découvrant Bastides tours guet, villages nichés sur des pitons rocheux, ce spectacle ne fera qu’aiguiser votre curiosité sur l épopée et la tragédie des Cathares.

• Rando 7 jours/6 nuits à partir de 362.00 € par personne base double en 1/2 pension hors boisson.

• Réservations :
Service loisirs Accueil Tarn
41 rue Porta – BP 225
81006 ALBI cedex
Tel: 00 33 (5) 63 77 32 30
Fax: 00 33 (5) 63 77 32 32

• Contact :
loisirs.accueil.tarn@wanadoo.fr

Tourist offices