Figeac is a 9th century river town, unspoilt by tourism, with about 10,000 residents. It is famous as the birthplace of Jean François Champollion (1790-1832), who deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics by solving the puzzle of the Rosetta stone. There is an excellent museum named after him, with an oversized replica of the Rosetta stone in its courtyard.
The town has preserved many old stone buildings and narrow streets dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, including a Commandery of the Knights Templars and the 13th century Hôtel de la Monnaie, now housing a local history museum and the helpful tourist office that provides a wealth of information on the town and upcoming events.
The open-air markets offer a wide and tempting range of local produce, such as the Cabecou miniature goat cheeses. When footsore, you will find a warm welcome in one of the many bars and cafés.
Rocamadour
Rocamadour is a remarkable village built into a cliff and has been a pilgrimage site since the 11th century. Today, it is one of the top tourist sites in France. The village is pedestrianised, with car parking on the cliff top above the village.
From the car park, you can walk down the steps and steep paths or you can take an inclined elevator to the abbey half way down the cliff, and another to the main street of the village with its many shops and restaurants. There are seven churches, including the Chapelle Notre-Dame with its 12th century Black Madonna. The cliff-top castle has spectacular views, but you need a head for heights.
The nearby Forêt des Singes (monkey park) and Rocher des Aigles (birds of prey centre) provide spectacular diversions for families. There is also an animal park near Gramat with over 1,000 animals in 40 hectares (100 acres) of grounds.
Saint-Cirq Lapopie
To the south west of Béduer is Saint-Cirq Lapopie, a magnificent pedestrianised hilltop village with outstanding views of the Lot river and valley. The village has gained a reputation for art and there are numerous exhibitions, especially in the summer.
There is a wide variety of restaurants and shops selling regional produce, making this an ideal place to stop for lunch. The more intrepid can climb to the cliff-top view point, for a spectacular panorama of the Lot river and village.
The best view of the village is from Tour de Faure on the other side of the river. On leaving, take the D40 towards Bouziès: there are panoramic views of the river gorge from this cliff-side road.
Sarlat and the Dordogne
Sarlat, Domme and La Roque Gagnac, in the Dordogne, can all be visited as a day trip. Sarlat, the “crown jewel” of Le Périgord Noir, has more listed buildings for its area than any other site in Europe. Domme (on the way to Sarlat) has a classic belvedere with panoramic views over the Dordogne, and La Roque Gagnac is a little gem of a village on the same river.
Other Sites: There are at least two dozen other medieval towns and villages within easy driving range; all have their attractions so this brief summary is only an introduction. Try the drive along the Célé valley to Cabrerets and the confluence with the river Lot, returning to Béduer along the Lot valley and Cajarc. The roads are often shoehorned between limestone cliffs and the river.
