Capdenac, a Gaulish heritage
CAPDENAC , Lot – Point of interest
About
6 km from Figeac, Capdenac-le-Haut in the Lot département is in a stunning location with an uninterrupted view of the Lot Valley. The village is home to a fascinating medieval heritage and unique reminders of its past as a Gallo-Roman fortress.
It may be small village but it boasts a big panorama… Capdenac-le-Haut, stretched out on a rocky spur, stands more than 100 metres above the Lot Valley roughly where the river descends from the high ground of the Massif Central to cross the lush land of Quercy in broad meanders.
This high vantage point was clearly once of great strategic importance. Standing on a border and at a crossroads, it is no surprise to learn that from as early as Gaulish times Capdenac was a fortified site. For a long time the village was thought to lay claim as a credible site of the legendary Uxellodunum, the place where the Gaulish tribes took their last stand against Caesar’s legions.
Today Capdenac is an endearing little village, huddled under its sun-baked roof tiles. A flourishing town in the Middle Ages, the citadel experienced a turning point in its history in the 19th century with the arrival of the railway and industrialisation, when the town’s business moved down to the valley and the ‘new town’ of Capdenac-Gare.
Up at the top, history rules unchallenged, along with its mysteries and treasures. The footsteps of visiting tourists ring out on the worn cobbles lining the village streets, in surroundings that are a curious blend of ancient Gaul and medieval stonework.
The 13th century military donjon, the Porte de Gergovie gate, the Rue de la Peyrolerie which follows the course of the Rodez-Limoges Roman road, the Maison des Gardes, the Maison Sully, the steps cut into the rock leading down to the ‘Fontaine des Anglais’, and further on the two other fountains cut into the rock, the Fontaine Gauloise and the Fontaine de César: if you don’t want to miss any of the wealth of interest Capdenac-le-Haut has to offer, get a copy of the guide ‘Les clefs de Capdenac‘, available free of charge from the Pays de Figeac Tourist Office (visitor reception point at Capdenac Donjon).
For more information: Pays de Figeac Tourist Office.
Spoken languages : French
Go there by liO Train (regional trains)
A moins de 30 mn à pied de la gare de Capdenac !
Environ 28 min (2387 m).
La meilleure desserte pour la gare CAPDENAC propose jusqu’à 7 A/R par jour entre 07:04:00 et 23:48:00.
Pour plus d’informations, allez sur FACIL’ITI
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