Summary
- 1. Place des Cornières
- 2. St. Bartholomew's Church
- 3. The Barbican
- 4. The Pilgrim's Garden
- 5. The Grand Rue and the Rue de la Garrigue
- 6. The Carmelite Church
- 7. The Way of the Awakened
- 8. Arts and crafts shops
- How to get to Lauzerte?
- - By plane or train
- - By car
- Where to stay in Lauzerte?
Would you like to visit Lauzerte in Quercy? Here are the 8 must-do things to do in this most beautiful village of France!
Located in the Tarn-et-Garonne, Lauzerte overlooks the Barguelonne and Lendou valleys from the rocky spur where it is perched. The village, classified as one of the "Most beautiful villages in France", organises its houses around the Place des Cornières and the church of Saint Barthélemy. Along the streets, Gothic and Renaissance residences are spread out to the edge of the ancient ramparts. Visiting Lauzerte is therefore no easy task!
From the ramparts, travellers can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Lauzerte is a historic stop on the Way of St. James and is a medieval town that cannot be ignored in the region.
Would you like to discover this charming Occitan village? Then this article tells you the 8 things to do in Lauzerte during your stay!
Also read :
The 9 most beautiful villages of Occitania
The 20 most beautiful villages in France
1. Place des Cornières
First step of your discovery: the famous Place des Cornières! If you come to visit Lauzerte, you can't miss it. Modest, it was the centre of the community life of the bastide. Lined with arcades, it is surrounded by beautiful houses dating from the 15th to 18th century.
A corner house gives it the name of Cornière. But above all, you will be able to see its "Coin relevé" (raised corner). This original and unusual artistic creation is the work of the world-famous ceramist Jacques Buchholtz.
2. St. Bartholomew's Church
Located in the upper town, a stone's throw from the Place des Cornières, this church is recognizable by its very sober square bell tower. Several times remodelled, rebuilt and enlarged, the Church of Saint Bartholomew retains from the original 13th century building only the first bay and the portal overlooking the square.
In addition to its atypical architecture, the building houses two curiosities. The first, a leather Christ, is the work of a prisoner in exchange for his release. The second is a gilded wooden altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin, a true masterpiece of Baroque art.
3. The Barbican
Impossible to visit Lauzerte without passing through its Barbican! This defensive military structure built after great periods of turmoil once protected the Porte d'Auriac from attacks from the suburbs. It has since given way to a beautiful and poetic esplanade. Here you will enjoy superb panoramas of the surrounding countryside!
4. The Pilgrim's Garden
If there's one thing you can't miss in Lauzerte, it's its Peregrine Garden. This place retraces the history and the initiatory route of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. In the form of a game of goose, the visitor follows a path dotted with numbered squares and panels.
They will then learn more about the daily life of the pilgrims of yesteryear.
5. The Grand Rue and the Rue de la Garrigue
These two streets follow the contours of Lauzerte's relief. Interspersed with small side streets, they are known to be home to a number of beautiful white-cut stone merchants' houses dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. They bear witness to a prosperous period of civil construction in the bastide.
Lauzerte was then the granary of the town of Cahors. These houses, despite the transformations, preserve certain details from the past. On the ground floor there are two pointed openings, one for the shop and the other for access to the house.
The mezzanine floor is dedicated to merchandise. The first floor is given over to the dwelling.
6. The Carmelite Church
Located at the foot of the town, at the exit of the Faubourg d'Auriac, this church is also worth visiting in Lauzerte. Originally a convent of the religious order of Carmel in the 14th century, it was rebuilt in the 17th century after the Wars of Religion.
It was rebuilt in the 19th century and has a magnificent baroque altarpiece and a choir organ.
7. The Way of the Awakened
Created in the 18th century on the former ditches, this layout was then used by the inhabitants as a place for walks and cattle fairs. Anchored in the rock, the exterior facades of the houses also served as ramparts.
Today, this Chemin de l'Éveillé is known for its superb views of the surrounding area. It is the ideal place, like the Barbacane, to rest, enjoy the view and above all the unique atmosphere of the village.
8. Arts and crafts shops
Lauzerte has always been an inspiring place for designers. Apart from the elevated corner of the Place des Cornières, the town is home to many shops, workshops and art and craft exhibitions. A visit to the local galleries is one of the must-do things to do in Lauzerte.
These establishments and shops are after all the charm and fame of this most beautiful village in France. If you come to visit Lauzerte, don't miss to enter some of the shops during your peregrinations. You can also support the local creators by buying some art or craft objects.
How to get to Lauzerte?
Lauzerte is situated in the north-west of Tarn-et-Garone, a stone's throw from Montauban and Cahors. The nearest big city is of course Toulouse, which is only an hour and a half drive away. To reach and visit Lauzerte, you should ideally have your own vehicle, car or bicycle.
By plane or train
This way you can land or arrive in Toulouse. For your plane tickets, don't hesitate to consult the offers on the Skyscanner flight comparator, which will help you find the best prices.
From Toulouse, Bordeaux or Limoges, Intercity trains will take you easily to Montauban. From Montauban, you can rent a car, take a taxi, join Lauzerte by bike or Moissac by train. Transport on demand leaves some days from the latter to this most beautiful village of France.
By car
From Montauban, follow the D927 then the D2 to Lauzerte. From Cahors, take the D620 then the D653.
From Toulouse, take the A620 to Castelsarrasin, take exit 9 and then follow the D118, D16 and D2.
From Bordeaux, take the A620 past Agen and take exit 8, at Saint-Loup. Finally follow the D953 to Lauzerte.
Finally from the north and Limoges, take the A20 and exit near Cahors.
Where to stay in Lauzerte?
If you are planning to visit Lauzerte, you may be wondering where to stay. Luckily, this most beautiful village in France and its surroundings is not lacking in accommodation options. For example, you can opt for a charming hotel or gîte, which you can choose using this hotel comparator, or a home stay using Airbnb.
