For a number of years I have heard people rave about visiting Figeac, a quiet medieval town in the Lot department that is on the Camino de Santiago route. It has a rich history with lots of medieval charm and walkable streets. Many buildings are from the 13th to 16th centuries.
So on a recent trip, I spent 2 nights in Figeac as a stopover before heading deeper into the Aveyron region. I wanted to see if it was worth the visit.
It was.
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While Figeac may not be must-see, Top 10 destination, I think it’s one of the more pleasant, easy-to-explore towns with a relaxed atmosphere. I loved being able to walk everywhere, and in the evening, strolling back to my hotel through the narrow, dimly lit streets felt like stepping back in time. (And yes, I felt completely safe).
If you’re travelling through this part of France, Figeac makes for an enjoyable stop. It’s a beautiful, historic town that still feels authentic. There’s lots of restaurants and easy access to nearby sites. Here’s what to see, where to eat, and a few great excursions nearby.
Where is Figeac located? It is nestled in the Célé Valley of the Lot department, about 2.5 hours north of Toulouse and 4 hours east of Bordeaux.
A. Things to Do in Figeac: A Charming Stopover In The Lot
1. Exploring Figeac’s Historic Streets
In the 13th-14th centuries, Figeac was a flourishing city in southern France and the successful merchants and bourgeois built grand mansions in the city. So before you head out to see some museums or sties, I would suggest you just start wandering around this beautiful town so that you can see the houses from the middle ages and half-timbered buildings.
2. Musée Champollion
Musée Champollion is the house where city native, Jean-François Champollion was born. In 1822, he not only deciphered the Rosetta Stone, but also uncovered the secret behind Egyptian hieroglyphs and more about Egyptian history and culture.
Champollion was a brilliant child and scholar who taught himself to read and was only 17 when he began his studies at the Collège de France and the Ecole des Langues Orientales in Paris.
This museum looks at his achievements in the area of Egyptology and also other languages from around the world. The displays are interesting but the front windows to me are the best. The museum faces Place Champollion, which, along with Place Carnot, are popular areas with restaurants featuring outdoor terraces. [Note: there is a covered market at Place Carnot on Saturday mornings].
3. Place de Ecrites
Be sure you visit Place de Ecrites. Set in pavement is a giant reproduction of the Rosetta Stone. It was created by American artist Joseph Kosuth in 1991 as a tribute to Jean-François Champollion. The short trek from the museum to see the replica takes you through medieval streets. You’ll come upon a courtyard surrounded by buildings and terraced gardens. The black granite stone shows Greek, demotic Egyptian and Egyptian hieroglyphs.
4. Eglise Notre Dame du Puy
Located above Figeac is Eglise Notre Dame du Puy and the views of the village from the terrace in the early morning were stunning. The fog and mist covered the trees before dissipating by the morning sun.
5. Eglise Abbatiale Saint Sauveur
The other church, Saint-Sauveur Abbey, is the largest in Figeac. It is located in the historic centre of the city and was founded in 838 by Benedictine monks from Conques. It became an abbey in the 12th century and showcases beautiful stained glass windows, Romanesque and Gothic art, and carved wooden panels in the side chapel.
6. La Commanderie des Templiers
At La Commanderie des Templiers, located on rue Gambetta, the religious and military order, the Knights Templar, established their monastery and headquarters in the 12th century. It was like a headquarters for the Templars and included areas for worship and lodging. It is a museum today with excellent displays about medieval life and depending on the season, there can be activities for children.
The top floor offers excellent rooftop views of Figeac. The Commandery is also referred to as the Tour du Griffon because of the carved mythological creature, a griffin (part lion and part eagle), on one of the towers.
7. Walk Along The Banks Of The Célé River
In addition to walking around Figeac’s historical centre, also walk along the banks of the Célé River at dusk. You’ll get some beautiful views.
B. Excursions From Figeac In Lot And Aveyron France
If you are using Figeac as your base and have a few days, there are many excursions to so many great places not just in the Lot department but also in the Aveyron department. They range from 10 minutes to an hour away.
1. In The Lot Department
- Capdenac-Le-Haut is one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (in the Lot department) and you can read about it here =10 minutes southeast
- Gouffre de Padirac: A Fascinating Cave With An Underground River =45 minutes northwest
- Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Rocamadour-Best Perched Villages In The Lot =Under 1 hour, further west
2. In The Aveyron Department
- Replica Eiffel Tower In Capdenac-Gare (Aveyron)
- Just across the Lot River from Capdenac-Le-Haut is Capdenac-Gare, located in the Aveyron department. What’s so interesting about this town? It has a replica of the Eiffel Tower…a much smaller version.
- Here you will see a scale reproduction of the Eiffel Tower (1/15 scale). It’s 28 metres high, weighs 10 tons and has 250 bolts. Located near the city’s train station in Parc de la Rotande, it sits next to a steam locomotive from 1883 that symbolizes Capdenac-Gare as a railway hub of the southern Massif Central.
- Sadly, there are no signs explaining when it was constructed and why. This replica did have the city name on it and the Olympic rings. I read that construction began in 2017 by carpenter-roofer, Alain Lacombe. As president of the local festival committee, he wanted to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower (first built in 1887). The replica was completed in 2019 and Lacombe hoped that its creation might convince the Olympic organizes to have the Olympic flame pass through Capdenac-Gare in 2024. Sadly, the city was not chosen.
- Here is a report on the construction of the replica: https://youtu.be/zLbueXIPxOQ?si=injwevm3nzCmV1O8
- Address: 57 Rue Voltaire, 12700 Capdenac-Gare=50 minutes east
- Conques: Stunning Village, Abbey, Controversial Windows=50 minutes east
- Belcastel (50 min SE) and and Villeneuve d’Aveyron (25 minutes south). These are both designated, “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”.
- Villlefranche-de-Rouerge-visit the famous Thursday market=40 minutes south
After a day of exploring Figeac and its nearby towns, you’ll probably be ready for a good meal. Here are two great restaurant recommendations, plus where I stayed during my visit.
C. Figeac Restaurant Recommendations
1. La Puce de ‘Oreille (Dinner)
I enjoyed a cozy dinner at La Puce de ‘Oreille, opting for the Prix Fixe menu with a 25cl pichet of red Cahors wine.
- Starter: Cabécou Goat Cheese Salad — a creative mix of toasted goat cheese, local honey, cucumber, apples, homemade parmesan and potato chips, fresh figs, and croutons.
- Main: ½ Duck Breast with Honey and Four Spices — served with rice and a colorful Asian stir-fry of purple cauliflower, mushrooms, green beans, and yellow carrots.
- Dessert: Le Pastis du Quercy — a Quercy specialty with layers of phyllo, apple, and almonds, topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. A very sweet finish!
Total Price: Prix Fixe menu (39 €) + wine (7 €) = 46 €
Address: 5 Rue Saint-Thomas, 46100 Figeac
2. La Petite Difference (Lunch)
In the historic centre of Figeac there are many stores and restaurants and I had an excellent lunch at La Petite Difference. My starter was a Velouté de Légumes (Creamy vegetable soup) that had 2 mini vegetable pancakes (?) added into the bowl. The main course was a quiche with Tomme cheese, served with a side salad that had pomegranates, tomatoes, asparagus, and cucumbers. I also had a glass of wine.
Title Price: 22 €
Address: 15 Rue Gambetta, 46100 Figeac
D. Figeac Accommodations
I highly recommend Hotel Le Quatorze in Figeac. It’s located right in the historic centre, with the option of paid parking in their garage or free parking in a courtyard next to the hotel — I had no trouble finding a spot!
My room was large, quiet, and comfortable, complete with a kettle for coffee or tea. Breakfast was well worth the 13€: a delicious spread of croissants, breads, cheeses, cereals, tarts, jams, fromage blanc, and a variety of hot drinks.
Address: 14 Pl. de l’Estang, 46100 Figeac, France
Click here to find the best price: Hotel Le Quatorze
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