Gramat is a commune in the Lot, in Occitan region, 35 km northwest of Figeac. Its vast territory of 57 km² lies on the eponymous plateau of Gramat, consists of limestone plateaus crossed by deep valleys sometimes shaped canyons, bounded by the course of the Dordogne and Cele north to south. It belongs to the broader set of limestone Quercy, arid landscapes and dotted with sinkholes and caves.
Rivers Alzou and Ouysse roam the resort.
Occupied by man since prehistoric times (presence of dolmens, unearthed flints or tools) Gramat lies in antiquity at the crossroads of two Roman roads between Limoges and Rodez to Cahors in Périgueux.
This location allows it to be visited by many pilgrims and develop as a commercial center in the Middle Ages. Become a Barony, the Lordship of Gramat will be owned by four families until the Revolution.
Occupied by the British troops during the Hundred Years War and again plundered during the Wars of Religion, the city then found a certain serenity asserting itself as a commercial center, craft and agriculture between Quercy and Périgord. The small town of 3,700 inhabitants now also emphasizes its environment, its heritage character and its expanded leisure offer that delights tourists in all seasons, in the immediate proximity of other large sites like Rocamadour or Padirac.
The center of the town untouched by the conflicts of the twentieth century has kept many of heritage character elements and sometimes picturesque appearance.
However, the religious, the Church of St. Peter in the heart of town was built starting in 1904 in neo-Gothic style, replacing a medieval church located outside the ancient city walls, abandoned and destroyed.
It evokes the northern cathedrals of France with its wide nave flanked by two aisles, and crossed by a transept. We also note that the ribbed vaults are complemented by flying buttresses. The Church of St. Peter was also with canopies signed the Parisian master Charles Champigneule evoking Jesus' life, the crown of Saint Louis, Joan of Arc... Finally, it houses a listed organ had to factor in 1853 from Junck the old church.
See also, the Notre Dame (seventeenth) serving the hospital and made a parish church office from 1817 to 1914.
The Clock Tower (XVI), the great hall (XIX) in the center, are also worth a glance, narrow streets and old houses giving its charm to the city Quercy.
In the municipality but away, the ruins of the mill jump on Alzou, the mounds of turd said Gargantua off 200m (dating from the Iron Age), and the Saint -Aignan of Romanesque origin, the hamlet of Saint-Chignes which served in the Middle Ages a priory destroyed by the English, currently under restoration, are worth a detour.
Culturally, the Grand convent gardens (seat of the Congregation of Our Lady of Calvary, built in the nineteenth century), regularly host in a bucolic quality exhibitions. Information at +33 5 65 38 73 29.
Note also that the municipal library animations and reading program (Contact +33 5 65 38 84 63). As for the municipal theater of the workshop, it is classified as "arthouse". Information on programming +33 5 65 10 61 12.
At Gramat finally located the amazing but interesting unusual museum barber hairdresser. The property features and has a fund of 4,000 objects dating from 1850 to 1950 on the topics of hairdressing and barber. A sitting of the 1920s has also been restored. Price: 2 and 4 euros. Information at +33 5 65 33 76 48.
In terms of leisure sports and "nature", the city has with the Hippodrome Mound of one field of horse racing department. He has a long flat track 1700 m, a track dedicated to trot 1230 m and a 1750 m hurdles track. The main annual meeting leading to Paris takes place the first weekend of August. Information at +33 5 65 33 03 97.
Note that are available on the town a fitness trail, children's playground and a multi-sports field.
Particularly significant in summer, the Center aqua recreational Cascades of Causse that was renovated and expanded has a sports swimming pool, a fun pool with slides, a wading pool, shaded picnic areas and solarium. Open from June to mid-October. Price: 1.50 and 2 euros. Information +33 5 65 38 78 90.
Like the entire region, Gramat is also a paradise for hikers. Crossed by the path GR 6 which connects Sainte-Foy-la-Grande in Gironde in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye in Haute Provence, the town also has a network paths to apprehend its landscape and geological environment (the abyss Vitarelles, resurgences streams, vegetation of limestone and pastoralism). One can also reach from Gramat sanctuary near Rocamadour. Maps and information +33 5 65 33 22 00.
Another point of interest, the zoo opened in 1980 on 40 hectares. Managed by an association dedicated to the study and protection of fauna and flora of the plateau, in a beautiful ecological framework (Causse, oaks, maples...), it has a European and exotic species (ostriches, emus, yaks) some of which are protected (vultures, otters, bears). All animals can be so successfully reintroduced into the wild after passing Gramat. A farm with domestic animals complete the set. Open all year. Opportunity to participate in feeding. Free visit from 9 to 14 euros. Information +33 5 65 38 81 22.
Finally, during a visit to Gramat, do not hesitate to ask the Natural Park of the Quercy that program throughout the year events, workshops, conferences and tours: Contact +33 5 65 24 20 50.
In April, June, July and autumn, usually on the last Saturday of the month, festival Musicales du Causse (classical concerts).
The first weekend of August, local party several days with dancing, gourmet entertainment, fairground attractions.
Continuing its secular vocation, the center of a region renowned for its gourmet products (poultry fat, lamb, truffles, fruit, cheese...), the city hosts many business appointments. Every Tuesday and Friday morning instead of the hall: food market. On Saturday, Causse market place of fairground. The 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, trade fair. On 31 October and 31 December, exceptional exhibitions of All Saints and the New Year.
