Today's first stop is Martel, once a medieval 'city' of seven
towers, it now is classed as a picturesque village. The town became
very prosperous following the Hundred Years War, leading its
wealthy citizens to construct beautiful buildings that you can
still see today as you stroll through the ancient streets. Of
particular note are the Palais de la Raymondi and the Maison Fabri,
both of which are steeped in local history. Whilst the Maison Fabri
is where Richard the Lionheart's brother Henry Short Coat died, the
Palais was built by Martel's tax collector in 1330 as a status
symbol, but was soon repurposed as a belfry.
After time to explore, we take a ride on the restored Truffadou
Steam Train as it travels along a scenic line, formerly used to
transport truffles, to the village of St Denis. First opened in
1889 to great success, the line ran scheduled services for almost a
hundred years. Restored to working condition in the 1990s, it
continues to delight tourists, remaining one of the very few
heritage lines to run at its complete original length. Later, you
head to the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour, named for St Amadour, a
devout hermit whose uncorrupted body was discovered in a cave in
1166. Tourists and worshippers come here to also witness the Black
Virgin, an 11th century statue of the Virgin Mary carved in walnut
that is still on display in the small 12th century chapel of St
Michel.
On Day 5 you are at leisure to enjoy some
lastminute sightseeing. The current abbey and church of
Sainte-Marie de Souillac is one of the town's architectural
highlights and dates back to the twelfth century, although damage
sustained during the Hundred Years War and a subsequent fire led to
extensive rebuilding in the seventeenth century.
Tonight you sit down to a farewell meal of authentic French
cuisine, accompanied by a local band, undeniably a wonderful way to
spend your last evening.
Includes
- Day 4 - Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5 - Breakfast, Dinner
