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Between abbeys and hidden valleys: Marcilhac, Figeac, and Capdennac from Les Hauts de Sauliès

From Les Hauts de Sauliès, set off along the roads of Célé and Lot for a day of discovery and serenity. From the Romanesque ruins of Marcilhac-sur-Célé to the medieval streets of Figeac, via the hilltop village of Capdennac-le-Haut, this itinerary invites you to explore places where history, stone, and light combine to create an authentic and soothing journey in the heart of Quercy.

  • Marcilhac-sur-Célé – 34 minutes
  • Figeac – 32 minutes
  • Lunch at La Dinée du Viguier
  • Capdennac le Haut – 10 minutes
  • Les Hauts de Sauliès – 54 minutes

Marcilhac-sur-Célé – Travel time: 34 min

Nestled in the Célé Valley, Marcilhac-sur-Célé harmoniously combines heritage and nature. Dominated by the majestic ruins of its Benedictine abbey, this medieval village reveals its picturesque streets, old houses, and atmosphere steeped in spirituality and history.
📖 Visitor’s Guide

Saint Peter’s Abbey

Founded in the 10th century, Saint-Pierre Abbey is a jewel of Romanesque art, famous for its tympanum depicting Christ blessing and its sculpted capitals. Ravaged and rebuilt several times, it now houses remarkable 17th-century woodwork, a Baroque pulpit, and a chapel decorated with murals, bearing witness to the faith and skill of medieval builders.

Chapter house

The last vestige of the convent building, the chapter house houses an exceptional 12th-century sculpted decoration illustrating the struggle between good and evil. Formerly used as a barn and then rediscovered in the 20th century, it remains a precious witness to Romanesque symbolic art and monastic life in Marcilhac.

Ramparts and the Abbot’s House

The 14th-century fortifications protected the abbey and the village within an enclosure with four gates. All that remains of this defensive structure are a few sections of wall and the abbot’s house, which was partially destroyed by fire in the 18th century but can still be seen in the center of the village.

King’s House

Built in the 15th century within the abbey walls, the Maison du Roy was probably used to accommodate visiting guests. Today, it houses a museum of sacred art, exhibiting polychrome statues, paintings, and liturgical objects from the 13th to the 17th centuries—a place steeped in history and emotion that is not to be missed.

Visit to Marcilhac sur Célé – Charming Guest Rooms
Visit to Marcilhac sur Célé – Charming Guest Rooms
Visit to Marcilhac sur Célé – Charming Guest Rooms

💡 Suggestion: If you are feeling brave and are well equipped, you can follow the Caselles trail (6.7 km – approx. 2 hours). On the plateau overlooking the valley, the Caselles nature reserve reveals an exceptional rural heritage. These 19th-century dry stone huts, testament to local farming expertise, blend into a preserved landscape where nature and history merge. Classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, the site invites visitors to explore while reminding them of the importance of respecting and protecting these fragile environments.
📖 Caselles trail

Figeac – Travel time: 32 min        

Nestled in the heart of the Célé Valley, Figeac charms visitors with its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and Gothic palaces. Once a thriving merchant town, it now combines heritage with modernity. The birthplace of Jean-François Champollion, it is listed as one of France’s Most Beautiful Detours and shines as a City of Art and History.
📖 Visitor’s Guide
💡 Suggestion: The Figeac Tourist Office provides a map of the town. Don’t hesitate to ask for one.

Champollion Museum – The World’s Writings

Housed in Jean-François Champollion’s birthplace, the museum recounts the great adventure of writing, from hieroglyphics to modern alphabets. Its copper facade, pierced with a thousand characters, symbolizes the universality of language, and its collections display objects, manuscripts, and an authentic Egyptian mummy.

Champollion Square and Writings Square

Surrounding Champollion’s birthplace, the medieval square reveals its beautiful residences, including the 12th-century Maison du Griffon. Just behind it, the Place des Écritures features a monumental reproduction of the Rosetta Stone by Joseph Kosuth, a poetic tribute to the decipherer of hieroglyphics.

Carnot Square and the market

Under its 19th-century metal market hall, Place Carnot comes alive every Saturday morning for the large Figeac market. It is a festival of Lot flavors—cheeses, melons, foie gras, saffron, wines, and fouace bread—where producers, residents, and visitors mingle in a friendly atmosphere.

Saint-Sauveur Abbey

Founded in the 9th century, Saint-Sauveur Abbey is the birthplace of the town. Built on the model of Conques, it combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Inside, the Notre-Dame de Pitié chapel, a preserved medieval gem, houses remarkable woodwork and stained glass windows where faith, history, and art intersect.

Church of Our Lady of Le Puy

Built in the 13th century on a hill overlooking the town, Notre-Dame du Puy offers a splendid view over the rooftops of Figeac. It houses the largest Baroque altarpiece in the Lot region, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and perpetuates the legend of the hawthorn flower, a divine sign of its foundation.

Castle of the Viguier du Roy

Former residence of the representative of the King of France, the Château du Viguier du Roy (14th century) watches over the medieval city. Now converted into a charming hotel, it retains its Gothic courtyard, French gardens, and cloister, true architectural gems.

Lunch – La Dinée du Viguier Restaurant (Figeac)

Located in the majestic guard room of the Château du Viguier du Roy, La Dinée du Viguier offers refined bistronomic cuisine inspired by seasonal produce and local Lot specialties. Under the direction of a creative chef, this restaurant combines history, elegance, and culinary pleasure in the heart of Figeac.
Telephone: +33 (0)5 65 50 05 05

Capdennac le Haut – Travel time: 10 min

Four kilometers from Figeac, Capdenac-le-Haut overlooks a majestic bend in the Lot River from a height of 100 meters. This hilltop village, occupied since Neolithic times and fortified in the Middle Ages, offers exceptional views and preserves many historical remains that bear witness to its Gallic and medieval past.
📖 Visitor’s Guide

Dungeon or Tower of Modon

Dating back to the 14th century, the keep of Capdenac, symbol of feudal power, overlooks the valley like a guardian of time. In summer, its terrace offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Lot valley and the village rooftops.

Church of Saint John the Baptist

Rebuilt in 1722 after the Wars of Religion, the Church of Saint John the Baptist houses an 18th-century Renaissance altarpiece and a statue of Saint Géraud carrying the citadel in his arms—a moving symbol of protection and faith.

Gate of Gergovia

A remnant of the medieval defense system, the Gergovie Gate is one of the few to have stood the test of time. It once opened onto a drawbridge that has since disappeared, replaced by a hanging garden offering a splendid view of the valley.

Fountain of the English

Carved into the rock and fortified, the Anglais troglodytic fountain ensured the water supply during sieges. Accessible via 120 steps carved into the stone, it offers an unusual visit and a bird’s eye view of the Lot valley.

Visit to Capdennac- Charming Guest Rooms - Lot
Visit to Capdennac- Charming Guest Rooms - Lot
Visit to Capdennac - Charming Guest Rooms - Lot

Return to Les Hauts de Sauliès – Travel time: 54 min

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