Le Fel is a town in Aveyron, in the Occitanie region, to the west of Entraygues-sur-Truyère which it borders.
Its territory of nearly 25 km² is bordered to the south by the course of the Lot and to the west, is located on the edge of Cantal.
Oscillating between 220 and 781 m above sea level, the locality presents a very green landscape, covered for 60% of its area by forests and for more than 35% by cultivated land and meadows.
A time integrated into Entraygues, hitherto called Enguialès, the commune has only been recognized under the name of "Le Fel" since 1996.
Composed of several hamlets but with only some 170 inhabitants, Le Fel constitutes a detour due to its singular natural heritage, its rare but astonishing vineyard and its leisure offer (international pottery centre).
In terms of heritage, in addition to the charm of the traditional habitat of the village capital, Le Fel, established on a ridge along the river, it is worth mentioning the parish church of Saint-Pierre, in the hamlet of Roussy, in the style neogothic, rebuilt in 1880 with materials partly reused from a medieval building that has become obsolete.
The Saint-Etienne chapel (founded in the 17th century), in the hamlet of Crestes, and the oratory dedicated to Sainte-Anne, at the entrance to this same place, which would recall the Queen's passage in the past Margot, are also to be seen…
On the cultural level, the Espace Marcelle Cayron, also known as the "museum of popular traditions in the land of the Coustoubis", evokes the daily life of yesteryear in Fel. Objects and documents (photos, texts) allow visitors to dive back a few decades and centuries back when the villagers devoted themselves to the work of the vine, the production of honey, wax, the cultivation of chestnut trees and navigation on the the Lot… Free visit all year round. Information on +33 5 65 44 51 86.
In a different genre, since 2007, the Don du Fel has been established in the town, a European center "for contemporary ceramics" founded by Suzy and Nigel Atkins and which has retained " showcases" in Cantal and Gers. Installed in premises with resolutely contemporary architecture but integrating perfectly into the landscape, the Pole offers all year round thematic workshops (initiation, improvement) for all audiences and exhibitions of ceramics (utilitarian, decorative and artistic). Open every day. Information on +33 5 65 54 15 15.
The environmental wealth of the town is also highlighted: over a hundred hectares, the Coteaux du Fel nature reserve, which borders the confluence of the Lot and the Truyère brings together different environments (chestnut grove, oak grove, conifers, meadows and dry moors of heather, vines) synonymous with a rich biodiversity. A 4.5 km marked trail allows you to understand this ecological treasure where rare species of mammals (genets, bats), many reptiles and birds, mushrooms and butterflies are preserved. To discover freely or during guided tours. Inquire on +33 5 65 75 40 12.
Present since the Middle Ages on the sunny slopes of the upper Lot valley where it was planted by the monks of the Abbey of Conques, the vineyard of Entraygues - Le Fel reveals itself another part of the richness of the environment as well as the landscape. Benefiting from a controlled designation of origin, producing white, rosé or red wines, the vineyard still extends over twenty hectares on terraces laid out by generations of winegrowers up to 500 m in altitude. A discovery circuit punctuated with information panels allows you to understand its richness and uniqueness. Information on +33 5 65 75 40 12.
In addition to the playgrounds and the tennis court which have been set up near the campsite, a stopover at Fel is finally synonymous with hiking. Routes can be limited to the municipal territory with tasting breaks at the winegrowers or producers of cabécous (sheep's cheese), invite you to climb to the summits or follow the banks of the Lot. But Le Fel is also crossed by a variant of the GR 465 which connects Cluny to Compostela via the central massif and the abbey of Conques. In addition, in season, mountain bike circuits are also possible. Maps and information on +33 5 65 44 56 10 or +33 5 65 75 40 12.
Also note that a permanent trail (race in the middle of nature) is traced and marked out in the town (long 16.5 km with 600 m of elevation): contact +33 5 65 48 29 02.
