Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

The French town of Saint -Cirq- Lapopie is located in the department of Lot in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Although the site only 218 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is one, he is one of the most famous sites of the Lot Valley. It is located on the cliffs of the left bank of the Lot, almost 100 meters above the river, in the center of the regional natural park of the Causses du Quercy.

By Saint- Cirq- Lapopie leads the Cele - variant of the French Road to Santiago Via Podiensis. This variant is referred to as GR 651.

Geography

Saint- Cirq- Lapopie is located on the southwestern edge of the Massif Central on the cliffs of the left bank of the Lot, approximately one kilometer off the mouth of the Cele in the Lot.

The nearest town is Cahors, which is achieved through the valley of the Lot in a westerly direction on the D662, D663 after about 34 kilometers of road. The next major French cities are Toulouse (97 km ) to the south, Bordeaux (184 km) to the northwest and Montpellier ( 200 km) to the southeast.

History

The area around Saint- Cirq- Lapopie was in the earliest written records in the possession of Cardaillac family. In 1229 Bertrand de Cardaillac acquires the land of Count Raymond VII of Toulouse. One of his successor takes over in 1395, the castle of Saint- Cirq- Lapopie and founded the line of the Barons of Cardaillac Saint Cirq. Later, three families share dominion over the place: the families Lapopie, Gourdon and Cardaillac. In the 16th century takes Hebrard de Saint- Sulpice, Bishop of Cahors, the power.

In the Hundred Years War, Saint- Cirq- Lapopie is besieged and finally taken by treachery. 1471 are on the orders of Louis XI. the fortifications razed. During the wars of religion leaves Henry of Navarre, IV also destroy the future King Henry the rest. Saint- Cirq- Lapopie but is rebuilt and its inhabitants specialize in the turning of taps and other items. In the heyday of 1,500 people living from this craft.

Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )

In the Middle Ages existed in Saint- Cirq- Lapopie a hospice for pilgrims. Today there are in place a pilgrim hostel (French: Gîte d' étape ), several hotels and private rooms (French: Chambre d' hôtes ), and a campsite. The Cele - variant ( GR 651 ) continues across the Causses du Quercy after Concots before it joins near the hamlet of Brook, between Limogne -en- Quercy and Varaire again with the GR 65 thereafter Cahors to achieve.

As a road connecting the D42 leads to Concots. The alternative road route follows the Lot valley on the D662 and D663 directly to Cahors.

Attractions

• Saint- Cirq- Lapopie was declared by the association Les plus beaux villages de France one of the most beautiful villages in France. The overhung by the ruins of the old castle and a city wall enclosed place is entered through fortified gates. The steep streets of the town are characterized by red-roofed gabled houses from the 13th to the 16th century. Many artists have settled in the village and offer their products. At the foot of the rock Lapopie remember mills, locks and the harbor and the towpath at the time of the thriving inland navigation on the Lot.

• The Romanesque church from the 12th century is below the castle ruins. The square bell tower and the apse date from that time. In the 16th century the church was rebuilt.

• The Chapel of Sainte- Croix.

• The water mill at the foot of the rock Lapopie was already mentioned in 1317. Today, it still contains parts from the 15th century. The majority of the mill dated but from the last renovation in the early 18th century.

• The Musee Hyacinthe Rigaud exhibits contemporary art. Émile Joseph Rignault (1874-1962), an art lover and collector, in 1946 donated the collection exhibited here is the General Council of the department of Lot.

• La Maison Daura, the house of the painter Pierre Daura was to provided by his daughter Martha the Regional Council of Midi -Pyrénées region, to provide young artists opportunities to exhibit their works.

Panorama

Personalities of the community

• Henri Martin (1860-1943), the French post- impressionist painter, lived at Saint- Cirq- Lapopie.
• André Breton (1896-1966), the writer lived for a time in Saint- Cirq- Lapopie.
• Pierre Daura (1896-1976), the painter lived here deposited in the restored 13th-century hospice.
• Roger Whittaker ( b. 1936 ), British musician, lives here