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Moissac, Lauzerte & Montcuq: cloisters and bastides of Quercy | Les Hauts de Sauliè

From Les Hauts de Sauliès, travel through the Romanesque elegance of Moissac, the medieval poetry of Lauzerte, and the sunny charm of Montcuq. An itinerary where the stone, art, and landscapes of Quercy Blanc cultivate refinement, nature, and authenticity.

  • Moissac – 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Lauzerte – 25 minutes
  • Montcuq – 15 minutes
  • Return to Les Hauts de Sauliès – 51 minutes

Moissac – Travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes

A city of art and history on the banks of the Tarn River, Moissac is a jewel of Romanesque heritage, famous for its Benedictine abbey, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a major stop on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route.

Saint-Pierre Abbey Church (11th century)

Founded in the 11th century and affiliated with Cluny, Saint-Pierre Abbey in Moissac became a spiritual center in southwestern France and a major stop on the Way of St. James, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It bears witness to the monastic and artistic power of the Middle Ages, combining religious fervor and sculptural beauty. Opening hours: April to October from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Open all day until 7 p.m. from June to September

Cloister of Saint Peter

A masterpiece of Romanesque art, the cloister of Moissac, with its 76 sculpted capitals, is one of the few to have retained its original decoration. The monumental 12th-century tympanum, depicting the Last Judgment, is impressive for its detail and symbolic power. Together, they embody the grandeur of the Cluniac heritage.

Abbey church and its treasures

The Saint-Pierre church, partly Romanesque and Gothic, houses remarkable 15th-century sculptures: a polychrome Pietà, a Flight into Egypt, and a striking realistic Entombment in walnut wood. It reveals the continuity between spirituality, architecture, and sacred art. The abbey conceals other wonders: the upper room of the bell tower, the Sainte-Foy guesthouse and its interior garden “Patus,” true havens of peace.

Cacor Canal Bridge (1846)

356 m long, it allows the Canal des Deux Mers to cross the Tarn—a work of engineering and elegance that extends Moissac’s monumental heritage.

Lauzerte – Travel time: 25 min   

Perched on a promontory in Quercy Blanc, Lauzerte is a splendid example of medieval architecture. Around the Place des Cornières and Saint-Barthélemy Church, its Gothic and Renaissance mansions are a reminder of the prosperity of the wealthy merchants of yesteryear. Ramparts, museums, art galleries, and artisan workshops complete the visit to this lively bastide town on the Way of St. James.

Cornières Square

At the heart of the bastide town, Place des Cornières is lined with arcades and old houses dating from the 15th to 18th centuries, bearing witness to medieval community life. Its name comes from a corner house with arcades, and today it is famous for its “Coin relevé” (raised corner), a contemporary work by ceramicist Jacques Buchholtz, which makes it both a historical and artistic site.

Saint Bartholomew’s Church

Dominating the upper town, Saint Bartholomew’s Church stands out with its simple square bell tower and its mix of elements from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Inside, two treasures catch the eye: a leather Christ, the work of a prisoner, and a Baroque gilded wooden altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin Mary, executed with great finesse.

Montcuq – Travel time: 15 min

Perched on a sun-drenched hilltop, Montcuq charms visitors with its picturesque setting and southwestern village atmosphere. Made famous by Daniel Prévost in the 1970s, it now attracts visitors and curious travelers who come to explore its medieval streets, Sunday market, and the gentle Quercy lifestyle.
Visitor’s guide

The count’s tower and ramparts

A symbol of medieval power, the count’s tower (12th–14th centuries) dominates the village with its original trapezoidal layout and machicolations. Around it, three successive walls and the remains of the ramparts bear witness to the fortified power of the medieval city, now transformed into a promenade.

Saint-Hilaire Church

Built in the 13th–14th centuries and then remodeled after the Wars of Religion, Saint-Hilaire Church features southern Gothic architecture with a vaulted nave, brick bell tower, and 19th-century stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ. It is bathed in colorful light that highlights its cut-away choir.

Town hall and old houses

The current town hall, a former consular house dating back to the 13th century, is a reminder of Montcuq’s commercial prosperity. In the streets of Pla and Aste, you can see beautiful medieval houses with half-timbered walls and mullioned windows, evidence of the flourishing trade and architectural expertise of the 12th to 15th centuries.

It is worth noting the quality of the market held on Sunday mornings.

Return to Les Hauts de Sauliès – Travel time: 51 min

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