City of Art and History, Figeac is also a delightful medieval town. With a rich heritage, the old town is a lovely place for a stroll. The picturesque narrow streets lined by mansions with carved facades and timber-framed stone residences will definitely delight walkers. An essential place to visit on a trip round the historic centre, the beautiful Ecritures (Writings) square is home to the black granite contemporary artwork of Joseph Kosuth representing an immense reproduction of the Rosetta Stone. For all those wishing to know more about writing, the Champollion museum offers a rich exhibition about the famous hieroglyphs decoder Jean-François Champollion, as well as the history of writing. The visit of Figeac continues with the ancient Monnaie mansion. This magnificent medieval residence of the 13th century is home to the Old Figeac museum, which allows to better know the history of the city through its mineral and coin collections. Finally, to take advantage of a beautiful panoramic view of the medieval town, take the direction of the viewpoint situated near the Notre-Dame-du-Puy church. From there, the view of the roofs of the old town is splendid!
It is in a diverse landscape that Figeac, charming little town of Lot, draws its features. Between the Causses du Quercy and the rolling hills of the Ségala, the town unfolds its typical streets lined with stone houses straight out of history on the rich soil of Limargue. The vast prairies rub shoulders with the peaks while the rivers crack the woods. Cradle of Champollion, the small town, originally built around an abbey dating back to 753, developed craftsmanship before moving in the first part of the twentieth century towards industrialization with the establishment of an aeronautical company. The story tells that a dove making a cross in the sky under the eyes of Pepin the Short decided the location of the city. Figeac was then at the heart of war of religion. Then the city prospered until the Second World War when Figeac had a turbulent history. The Resistance was very present on the territory and the confrontations with the Germans were murderous. City of Art and History, Figeac is an exceptional place between a remarkable natural environment and a rich historical heritage perfectly preserved.
Figeac has kept the charm of yesteryear. You will therefore enjoy strolling in the old town which has kept the morphology of the winding alleys of the Middle Ages. On the way, you will walk in the footsteps of the past between the houses of sandstone and the mansions. Note that the hotel is known as the Viguier du Roi, the house known as the Templars, or the Hôtel de la monnaie. Today, the building dating from the thirteenth century is a museum. You can not miss the medieval fortress of Balène. First remains then palace of Justice to become center of contemporary art. Individual hotels follow one another through the streets, such as the 15th-century Auglanat hotel, the Hotel de Lostanges, the Dumont de Sournac hotel and the Hotel Galiot de Genouillac.
If you raise your head, you will see the needles in the South and West. These large obelisks of stone measure 14.50 meters and 11.50 meters respectively. Although their role is unknown, they are part of the curiosities of Figeac.
The religious heritage is also worth a detour. Beginning with the church of Saint-Sauveur consecrated in 1092. Strongly reworked over time, the building remains imposing and has remarkable polychrome woods of the seventeenth century. The Carmelite church bears witness to the former Carmelite convent established there. Finally, the Notre-Dame-du-Puy church dominates the town. In Romanesque style, it houses beautiful sculpted capitals and a remarkable carved walnut altarpiece. You will also be in a hurry to take the stairs of the Calvary leading from Célé to the heights of Figeac where stands the Calvary erected in 1822 during the Great Mission and which gave its name to these steps.
Native Land of Champollion, Figeac paid tribute to this eminent Egyptologist by the creation of the Scripture Museum. It is in this place where you will discover the life and works of Champollion, but also the origin of writing throughout the world. The place of the writings is endowed with a work of Joseph Kosuth. Engraved in black granite, an immense reproduction of the Rosetta Stone covers the ground. The entirety of the work can be seen from the hanging gardens of the museum. The translation is legible on a glass plate. Children can travel in the past through playful games in order to discover the birth of writing while having fun.
To relax, you can reach the banks of the Cele where a leisure base, with playground and swimming pool open in summer, awaits you. You can also explore the surrounding nature by hiking, mountain biking or canoeing.
Every Saturday morning, it is an explosion of flavor in the market of Figeac. Lamb of the country, red wines and saffron await you on the stalls of the merchants. You will discover the local products and the rich and tasty cuisine of the south-west. In August, you will find a night market where many local artisans exhibit their merchandise.
Between late July and early August, the theater festival invades the streets of Figeac. The actors invested the city and declared their texts in the old lanes where the old buildings give another dimension to the rooms. Enthusiasts of the genre will appreciate this surge of words in the country where Champollion was born.
In August, music lovers will enjoy the Autour des Cordes music festival. Prestigious musicians will reason the melodious song of their instruments in the churches, castles and abbeys of the Pays de Figeac.
The 1st weekend of May, it's party in Figeac. On the program, fair, torchlight retreat, ball musette and parade of bandas. Animations for young and old will mark the weekend in a festive and convivial atmosphere.
In October, street performers go down to the city to offer amazing performances as part of the Chainon Manquant festival.
In December, Figeac celebrates Christmas with its Christmas market. Numerous stands offering original gifts will be present in a warm and friendly atmosphere.