Autoire

Autoire ( Occitan: Altoire ) is a commune of 337 inhabitants ( 1 January 2011 ) in the department of Lot in the Midi-Pyrénées region. The place is one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France ".

Location

Autoire located in the northeast of the rich cultural and culinary attractions of the Quercy countryside about 73 km ( driving distance ) north-east of Cahors. Until the capital of the canton of Saint -Cere is about 8 kilometers to the east; Beaulieu -sur -Dordogne is located about 19 kilometers north. The also among the " Most Beautiful Villages of France" belonging towns Carennac and Martel are about 13 or 30 kilometers to the northwest; Loubressac is located about 5 kilometers north-west. The medieval pilgrimage site of Rocamadour is located about 23 km to the southwest.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had always 460-630 inhabitants. As a result of the phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture, the population has declined significantly in the first half of the 20th century. After the minimum value of 1962 but is again observed a slight increase.

Economy

On the slopes you can still see some vegetable gardens, but playing the revenue from tourism (hotels, restaurants ) nowadays the most important role in the economic life of the community. The small, somewhat remote place is rarely crowded.

History

Little is known about the history of Autoire. The place probably belonged formerly to viscounty Turenne. As far as we know there have been significant attacks neither the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) even during the Wars of Religion ( 1562-1598 ).

Attractions

• The medieval in its entirety and seemingly idyllic townscape Autoire has changed little in recent years. The place offers - unlike in neighboring Loubressac - a mixture of natural stone and half-timbered facades.
• The Château des Anglais from the 11-12. Century was recognized in 1925 as a monument historique. It is located below a rock overhang ( abri ) over the place.
• The Château de Bousqueilles from the 17th century has been converted into a hotel. It is recognized as a monument historique since 1991.
• The Château de Limargue from the 15th century, it features a high round tower with a small lateral stair tower; it can not be visited (private property). The tower has been designated a Monument historique since 1929.
• The location overlooking the resort -standing church of Saint -Pierre with its dominant central tower has three naves inside. While the apse and the dreifenstrige - resting on pendentives - dome vaulting of the transept still of the Middle Ages (12th century) come, nave and west facades have been remodeled in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the figures on the console frieze on the exterior of the Romanesque apse are also noteworthy. The church is entered in the List of Monuments historiques since 1942.
• On the southern boundary of the municipality where the department of road D673 joins the D38, the panorama of the Cirque d' Autoire, an imposing valley, which is shaped like a natural amphitheater opened. Close by, a waterfall can be seen.