Marcilhac-sur-Célé

The southern French community Marcilhac -sur- Cele is located in the department of Lot in the Midi-Pyrénées region. The small, 194 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) counting place is situated in the valley of the Cele and is part of the Regional Natural Park of Causses du Quercy.

Location

Marcilhac -sur- Cele lies at an altitude of about 160 meters above sea level. inst on the southwestern edge of the Massif Central on the banks of Cele, a right tributary of the Lot. The village and its surroundings are dominated by the white and ocher- colored cliffs of the Cele valley. The nearest town is approximately 30 km ( driving distance ) located east of Figeac.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had always 800-950 inhabitants. As a result of the phylloxera crisis in the wine and the mechanization of agriculture, the population declined steadily in the first half of the 20th century up to the current lows.

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 agriculture, small trade and crafts - the tourism in the form of apartment rentals ( gîtes ) a major role in the economy of the community.

History

In prehistoric times, the area around Marcilhac -sur- Cele was already populated by people. They used the caves in the cliffs overlooking the Cele as shelter. Also from Gallo-Roman times there are traces in the municipal area, including the remains of a farm that belonged to a man named Marcellus. The town was first mentioned in the 7th century. In the 12th century, the founding of the fortified Benedictine monastery, around which developed the town fell. Located on a side road of the pilgrim route ( Via Podiensis ) convent, to which also belonged the Rocamadour, was from the 12th to the 14th century, a much-used port of call for pilgrims. The church was even greater than that of Conques. The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), the monastery was destroyed several times and eventually sacked in 1569 during the Wars of Religion. From this event, the Abbey never recovered; during the French Revolution, the buildings were sold by the French government to individuals.

Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )

In the village there are two hostels for pilgrims (French: Gîte d' étape ), several private rooms (French: Chambre d' Hôtes ) and a campsite. The variant GR 651 continue to follow the valley of the Cele, past the Grotte du Pech Merle, crossed at Saint- Cirq- Lapopie the Lot valley and joins between Limogne -en- Quercy and Varaire again with the GR 65 as a road link leads the D41, parallel to the Way of St. James, in the Lot valley.

Attractions

• From the former Benedictine monastery of Marcilhac only remains are preserved. The original Romanesque church from the 12th century was partially ( apse, choir, transept ) rebuilt in Gothic styles. From the enclosure area, only the chapter house has been preserved; Here are several imaginatively designed Romanesque capitals. The plant was classified as a monument historique in 1906, 1939 and 1965.

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• A half-timbered house with brick fillings ( Maison du Roi ) from the 14th to the 16th century now houses the tourist office and a small museum of sacred art. It has been classified as a monument historique in 1939.
• Two megalithic tombs ( dolmens ) are in the municipality ( Dolmen de la Devèze -sud and Dolmen de Combe de Saule n ° 2 ) and since 1997 and 2012 respectively as Monuments historiques classified.
• A native of the ancient wells with a diameter of about six meters and only partially preserved staircase is classified as a monument historique since 1979.
• In the vicinity of Marcilhac there are several hundred field stone huts made ​​of dry walls ( Caselles ), which can be explored on walks.
• A stalactite cave ( Grotte de Bellevue) was discovered in 1964.