Albas is a Lot locality, in the Occitan region, about 20 km west of Cahors.
The historic heart of the village has developed on a cliff overlooking a loop of the river, on the left bank of the Lot and its history is linked to this strategic situation.
A first castle was built at the beginning of the second millennium, which becomes more residential from the thirteenth century when the bishops of Cahors make it one of their homes.
Port popular with boatmen, Albas becomes in the twentieth century one of the capitals of the vineyard of the appellation Cahors. It also produces truffles. The charm of the small city rich in points of view on the valley like its craftsmen of art make of it also a popular stage of the tourists.
Albas, by its heritage as its singular environment, certainly deserves a stop for anyone staying in Quercy.
If there remain only scattered elements of the old medieval castle, all the historical center of this small authentic city has developed within or around him. There remain two doors that allow to realize what was the important building, but also the current town hall whose openings (windows trilobées) are characteristic.
It is now the Saint-Etienne Romanesque church, destroyed in the late nineteenth century and rebuilt preserving its Romanesque inspiration, which dominates the village. Restored, it overlooks a hall. In the nineteenth century, it sold and bought madder (whose roots used to dye the trousers of soldiers), cattle, wine and saffron.
To see again, still with regard to the inheritance, slightly downstream of the borough, the castle of Blainie (or Bleynie), built in 1865 on a peak. It was owned by an inspector of the armies of the Second Empire.
Another major building, the Château du Port, on the right bank, erected in a neoclassical style in 1881. The material is surprising, because it is white stones of the Loire. The castle seems almost hidden behind centuries-old redwoods and cedars.
Finally, mention the Romanesque church of St. Martin in Cénac, hamlet dependent on the town, whose bases date back to the tenth century and has been recently renovated. The main altar and the altarpiece, protected, beautifully restored, are worth a look.
In addition to the old center of the village where medieval houses are still proudly entangled, and picturesque streets invariably descending to the banks of the Lot, two sites are still essential: the gateway near the dam and the orientation table, when we take the road from Sauzet, from which an unparalleled panorama embraces the valley and the vineyards. As if to symbolize the past centuries when gabarres left Albas for Bordeaux loaded with wines of Cahors...
Many hiking trails are available to visitors and tourists, including historical sites, forays into the vineyard for possible tastings (in moderation), hamlets and localities or of course the banks of the Lot. Documentation and information on +33 5 65 22 40 57.
This unique landscape can also be traveled via horseback riding. Contact the equestrian farm of Albas at +33 6 43 77 98 42.
As for fishermen, the towpaths of the Lot will allow them to satisfy their passion. Inquire at +33 6 15 11 57 30.
