Saint-Côme-d'Olt

The municipality of Saint -Côme d'Olt - with 1343 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located in the French region of Midi -Pyrenees in the department of Aveyron. The place is part of the GR 65, which largely follows the historical course of the French Road to Santiago Via Podiensis.

Les plus beaux by the Association villages de France Saint -Côme d'Olt - was declared one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Geography and transport

Saint -Côme d'Olt - located in the southern part of the Massif Central on the banks of the Lot, just downstream from the confluence of its right tributary Boralde de Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac.

The next major French cities are Lyon in the northeast (210 km), Toulouse in south-west (149 km), Bordeaux in the west ( 272 km) and Montpellier in the east ( 131 km).

The nearest airport is Rodez - Marcillac, which is served, including the Air France and Ryanair. About the D988 or D27 it is about 43 road miles away. The nearest train station is also located in Rodez. In Saint -Côme d'Olt - opens the D6, which is proceeding in the Lot Valley, on the D987, which leads from the plateau of Aubrac coming into the Lot valley.

History

The original settlement was located around a Romanesque chapel from the 10th century. This chapel is now empty, but it has long hosted the headquarters of the Brotherhood of the " White Penitents " (French Penitents Blancs ). 1528 received Saint -Côme d'Olt - city rights by the Baron of Calmont d' Olt. Died in 1586 about 2,400 people at the Mad at this time plague and was only repopulated by residents of the old province of Quercy.

During the French Revolution the name of the municipality of Montagne- sur- Lot.

Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )

In Saint -Côme d'Olt - there is next to the hotels and restaurants, tourist information, as well as several pilgrims' hostels (French: Gîte d' étape ). In addition, the village has a campsite. The Pilgrim's Way runs further lotabwärts after Espalion. Running there as a by- road the D556, or as a main road, the D987.

Attractions

• Parish Church of Saint -Côme (16th century) with an interesting bell tower. The construction was led by Bishop of Angoulême and Prior of Saint -Côme d'Olt - Antoine d' Estaing. As an architect Antoine Salvanh was commissioned, who also designed the Cathedral of Rodez.
• Penitents Chapel. Originally hospice for pilgrims, it was restored by the Brotherhood of the " White Penitents " in the 18th century. Today it serves as an exhibition site.
• Old town with houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. This for nearly 600 years virtually unchanged and intact part of the town is entered through one of three gates.