Estaing; Gorges of the Lot; St. Come d'Olt; St. Eulalie d'Olt - Saturday September 22nd 2018

Friday 21^st Septenber

On Friday we decided to take it easier so had a bit of a lie in and then went to supermarket to get some seafood. We also went to the butchers/traiteur in Arpajon to get some salady stuff. We got a slice of pounti to try it. After a siesta we set off to find La Planteliere – success. Then the rain started and we went to find the Castle of Conros which is closed since the end of August. It was hard to get a photo of it.

We had decided on the Lot Valley for Saturday so drove as far as Entraygues and then on to Estaing – un des plus beaux villages de France. The journey there was lovely and Jim particularly liked the Gorges of the Lot. It is very beautiful! We did quite a tour of the village and then had lunch. Jim had tripe and I had a veal steak. Both plates came with a piece of pounti (a Cantal and Aveyron regional speciality of sausagemeat, chard or spinach and prunes) a piece of local cheese, fried potatoes house style and a salad with a sweetish dressing. It was the best meal – and most expensive – we have had since we got here. I had a glass of the local red wine which came chilled and was very interesting. 

This is the Gothic bridge over the river Lot. It has been recognised since 1998 by UNESCO as a road to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. It was built in 1490.

Imprinted in the tower is the shell symbol carried by pilgrims on the pilgrimage to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle.

The Church of St. Fleuret dates from the middle of the 15th century.

Over the square of the Church is a quadrilobate cross which presents on its fiirst face a crucifixion overlooked by 2 angels.

The pebbled pavement outside the Church.

The castle dominates Estaing.

From Estaing we went on to St. Come d’Olt, another most beautiful village. It is a medieval village and is built in a circle. A circle of houses surround a central Church and square. The Church has a fascinating twisted turret.

Church of St. Come et St. Damien.

The twisted spire on the top of the church. It is not known whether it was by accident or design.

Chapel of the Penitents.

Then we went on to Ste. Eulalie d’Olt which seems to have a fascination with cows and cats. We did quite a tour there too. Getting there was quite nerve-racking as Nuvi seems to have gone off the beaten track causing me to have some heart-attack moments as we met other vehicles on narrow, twisty roads with a drop on our side.

Eglise de Sainte Eulalie d'Olt.

Then Jim decoded we would just retrace our steps and take the Lot Valley and gorges route again. It was even more beautiful in that direction. There are 10 most beautiful villages in Aveyron and we now have explored 4 of them.