Medieval Figeac

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Enter the historic centre of Figeac at place Vival, where the tourist office occupies the Hôtel de la Monnaie, an arcaded 13th-century building where money was exchanged. Purchase the excellent leaflet Les Clefs de la Ville (€0.30) for a guide to Figeac’s medieval and Renaissance architecture.

Rue de Balène and rue Caviale have the best examples of 14th- and 15th-century houses, many with wooden galleries, timber frames and original stone carvings, while rue de Colomb has fine Renaissance hôtels particulier.

Place Champollion is in the heart of the historic quarter, and behind Musée Champollion, place des Écritures is surrounded by medieval buildings and features a modern art replica of the Rosetta Stone by Joseph Kosuth.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Musée Champollion

0.01 MILES

This museum is named after Figeac-born Egyptologist and linguist Jean-François Champollion (1790–1832), whose efforts in deciphering the Rosetta Stone…

2. Église St-Sauveur

0.11 MILES

This soaring spot on the Compostela pilgrims’ trail, the 11th-century former Benedictine Abbey church, features the exquisite Notre-Dame-de-Pieté chapel,…

3. Collégiale Notre Dame

17.76 MILES

The enormous 15th-century Collégiale Notre Dame has a never-completed bell tower and choir stalls, ornamented with a menagerie of comical and cheeky…

4. Cascade

19.66 MILES

This 30-metre waterfall is accessed via a pleasant 1km walk through the forest heading upstream. The trail leaves from the parking lot at the north end of…

5. La Roque d'Autoire

19.9 MILES

Feeling energetic? The return walking loop from Autoire's waterfall (around 1km) passes by a spur trail that climbs another kilometre up to the base of…

6. Grotte du Pech Merle

20.52 MILES

Discovered in 1922, the 1200m-long Grotte de Pech Merle is one of the few decorated caves found around the Lot Valley. It has several wonderful galleries…

7. Musée Rignault

20.56 MILES

Eclectic collection of French furniture, African and Chinese art, and rotating exhibitions. Delightful garden.

8. Church

20.59 MILES

The belfry and accompanying turret of this simple 16th-century church, dedicated to Saint Cyr, rise above the village.