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Martel

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Lot

Martel - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Lot
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Martel

The one called the city of seven towers is a small medieval city located in the Dordogne valley, Occitan region. It takes place in the heart of Quercy, near the tourist towns of Rocamadour, Souillac, Brive-la-Gaillarde or Saint-Cere.

Founded in the eleventh century by the viscounts of Turenne, the city was for more than five centuries the capital of the Quercy part of the viscounty of Turenne. It takes place near the old Gallo-Roman road linking Paris to the south of France, not far from the old salt ports of the region. Fortified from the thirteenth century, Martel has a golden age from this period, and this for several centuries. The small town however loses influence in the twentieth century due to rural exodus and displacement of the truffle to the south of the department.

Today populated by nearly 1,700 inhabitants, the municipality of Martel is best known for its tourist activity related to its architectural heritage of great interest, trade truffle and nuts and its many restaurants and entertainment.

Things to see and do

Of medieval origin, the municipality of Martel has retained an important architectural heritage related to this period. You can appreciate the Romanesque style of the Saint-Maur church built in the 12th century. Fortified, it also has a nave of the fourteenth century, a bell tower of the sixteenth century, and a beautiful glass roof of the sixteenth century representing Holy Week in twelve paintings. It represents a very good example of the Gothic of the South.

Built in the second half of the 13th century, the Raymondie Hotel was completed in the 1330s. The building has four wings arranged around an inner courtyard. City Hall since the French Revolution, it allows you to discover on three levels, a facade with rows of Renaissance arcades, as well as the museum of Uxellodunum. The latter presents protohistoric and Gallo-Roman collections, as well as 17th and 18th century pharmacy pots and old maps.

You will not miss to appreciate the market of the end of the XVIIIe century registered with the Historical Monuments. Known for its chestnut frame and conch, it takes place on the site of the house of the Consuls where decided the management of the city.

Walking through the medieval city, you can admire several mansions like that of Fabri listed historical monument. Built in the 12th century, according to legend, it was here that King Henry the Younger, brother of Richard the Lionheart and eldest son of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II Plantagenet died, wounded by the looting of Rocamadour. We will not miss either the hotel Condamin, former hotel of the currency, the hotel of Mirandol and its tower. The latter was the last one built at Martel in the second half of the 15th century, or the Hôtel de Briance with a Renaissance decoration on its portal and a knocker high up on its door to be reached by a man on horseback. In the old quarter, one can also discover several medieval stalls, houses of character, style doors, or the former convent of Mirepoises and its cloister with coffered ceiling.

Put back in service at the end of the 1990s, the tourist railway line allows to go from Martel to Saint-Denis-lès-Martel and admire the Dordogne through the cliff of Mirandol. Steam or diesel, the latter is called Truffadou because it was once used to transport truffles to the market Martel.

The reptiland animal park is fun for young and old by revealing different species of snakes, crocodiles or lizards from all over the world.

The visit of the walnut oil mill.

Several marked hiking trails allow you to discover the local flora and fauna and to admire the Dordogne valley.

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments
Transport

Events and festivities

A market is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning under the hall. A flea market is proposed to May 8 and another the last weekend of July. The city also hosts a Christmas market in December and an award-winning truffle market in January.

The archeology days take place in June at the museum of Martel.

In early July, the city organizes its Mexican and Latin festival with balls, concerts, demonstrations of zumba, or games, exhibitions and a craft market.

Young and old come to dance under the hall on Wednesday evenings in July and August with a different orchestra every Wednesday.

Bandas Festival, shear festivals, comics festival, many gourmet markets with musical entertainment and classical music concerts at the church are among the highlights of the season.

Photos

Martel from the sky
Martel from the sky
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Railway Truffadou
Railway Truffadou
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Terrace at Martel
Terrace at Martel
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Martel market
Martel market
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Halle
Halle
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Hall Square
Hall Square
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Palace of Raymondie
Palace of Raymondie
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Teaches in the village
Teaches in the village
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Locomotive of Truffadou
Locomotive of Truffadou
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Truffadou Steam Train
Truffadou Steam Train
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Castle below the railway line
Castle below the railway line
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Switching station in Truffadou station
Switching station in Truffadou station
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Visits, leisure and activities nearby

The Dordogne valley offers a whole range of activities, visits and experiences to live. From the sacred city of Rocamadour to the Padirac chasm, from Collonges-la-Rouge to Castelnau-Bretenoux castle, canoe trips on the Dordogne to hiking on the Saint-Jacques paths, the Dordogne valley invites you for a amazing trip.

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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