Cardaillac

Cardaillac ( Occitan: Cardalhac ) is a commune with 576 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Lot in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Cardaillac is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Geography

Cardaillac lies at an altitude of about 360 meters above sea level. inst on the southwestern edge of the Massif Central approximately on the border between the fertile region of Limargue and it is highly distinctive limestone soils of Ségala. The place is located on a side route of the Camino de Santiago ( Via Podiensis ) about halfway between Rocamadour and Gramat and Figeac; the town of Cahors is located about 73 kilometers south-west. On the western boundary of the municipality of the river Drauzou, a tributary of the Cele runs.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had always 1000-1300 inhabitants. As a result of the phylloxera crisis in the wine and the mechanization of agriculture, the population went in the first half of the 20th century back to the lows of the 1960s and 1970s.

Economy

In skin -Quercy agriculture was operated primarily for self-catering, which included the wine until the 19th century, but was abandoned almost entirely after the phylloxera crisis. Today - in addition retail and craft - the tourism in the form of apartment rentals ( gîtes ) a major role in the economy of the community.

History

In the 8th century gave Pippin the Short, - as a reward for services rendered against Waifar, the pro-independence Duke of Aquitaine - in the northern territories of Quercy, with its loyal supporters Bertrand, who took the name Cardaillac then. Around the middle of the 11th century appeared the family or village name again in documents, and was from then on to one of the greatest and most extensive families of the Quercy. In the year 1188, ie prior to the Hundred Years War ( 1337-1453 ), Richard the Lionheart conquered the place. In the conflicts of the 16th century between Catholics and Protestants, the religious schism walked across the Cardaillac family; the local lord ( seigneur), placed himself on the side of the Protestants.

Attractions

• The square in plan Clock Tower (Tour de l' Horloge ) is a part of the former town fortifications of the 13th century. The entrance of the tower is approximately 3.25 level and was accessible only by a ladder. A narrow, and therefore good to defending spiral staircase inside the thick outer walls could reach the upper floors of the tower, which served as a retreat accommodation. About half way up there was a Außenlatrine. In later times, above a warning bell was installed, which also served as the hour bell. The approximately 25 -meter-high building was classified as a monument historique in 1991.
• Another tower of the former fortification is the Tour de Sagnes. The approximately 25-meter- high building can be climbed; it was classified as a monument historique in 1957.
• The Parish Church ( Église Saint -Julien ) dates from the 17th century; the neo-Romanesque west facade was added in the 19th century. The stocky -looking interior of the church has a single nave and spanned by ribbed vaults.
• A 21- meter deep wells ( Puit Manganel ) from the 17th century stands in the central square of the town.
• A regional museum ( Museum ECLATE ) houses various exhibits to people's lives in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Manganel Fountain

Église Saint -Julien