Caillac

Caillac ( Occitan: Calhac ) is a southern French village with 583 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Lot in the Midi-Pyrénées region.

Location

Caillac lies on the north bank of the River Lot in a height of about 160 meters above sea level. inst in the heart of Quercy. The nearest town is Cahors, about 13 km ( driving distance ) away in a southeasterly direction.

Demographics

Until the mid- 19th century, the city had well over 600 people. As a result of the phylloxera crisis in the wine and the mechanization of agriculture has declined, the population since the second half of the 19th century continuously reaching its low point in the 1960s back.

Economy

In skin -Quercy agriculture for centuries was used primarily for self- care, which included the wine until the 19th century, which was revived in the area of Cahors after the phylloxera crisis with success. Today - in addition to the wine growing and cattle - breeding and poultry - the tourism in the form of apartment rentals ( gîtes ) a major role in the economy of the community.

History

The existence of a Gallo-Roman estate (villa rustica) is evidenced by finds.

Attractions

  • The mainly built of rubble stone parish church is a nave building of the 12th and 13th century, however, was thoroughly revised in the 15th and 16th centuries, so that only a few Romanesque elements remain. Striking feature is the multi-story, though unadorned design of the crossing tower, which is built entirely of hewn stones exactly. The church - a rarity in the south of France - one in the bottom recessed portico on the south side, behind which one in 1500 here transferees Romanesque portal with a decorative renaissance skirt conceals slightly. The nave of the church is covered by a simple wooden ceiling and houses a remarkable features ( font, pulpit, paintings, etc. ); two side chapels north and south of the transept and the apse are rib- vaulted. The church building was classified as a monument historique in 1979.
  • The many-towered Lagrézette Château dates back to 15-16. Century and saw in the course of its history a variety of owners, some of them going about their business in the nearby Cahors. The building, together with its standing on six stone pillars dovecote ( pigeon ) of timber is surrounded by vineyards and now serves as a representative winery. The complex largely original was recognized in 1982 as a monument historique.

Sons and daughters of the city

  • Joachim Ambert (1804-1890), general and military writer
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