CARDAILLAC
CARDAILLAC , Lot – Point of interest
About
A 10 Km de Figeac, dans le Lot, Cardaillac porte le nom de la puissante famille féodale qui l’édifia et lui apporta une notoriété qui perdure aujourd’hui.
In the heart of the countryside, overlooking a sea of secret valleys and woods, Cardaillac has sat upon its rocky outcrop since the Middle Ages. This is the birthplace of the Cardaillac family who dominated the Quercy for many years. <br>
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Dating back to the 12th century, the area of the fort is a miniature island dominated by the Round Tower, the tour de Sagnes and the Clock Tower. These two, remains of the ancient ramparts, recall the efficiency of Roman military architecture designed to defend a much coveted fortified town.<br>
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On the edge of the fort, Cardaillac is a mass of crisscrossing narrow streets lined with beautifully restored houses, with arched doors and windows. The red tile roofs, the façades trimmed with climbing vines and the amber stone give this elegant village a Mediterranean air. <br>
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An absolute must-see: the astonishing «musée éclaté» or spread-out museum in Cardaillac whose different «rooms» occupy the whole village. Volunteers have gathered together hundreds of objects from daily life in years gone by to display them in their natural setting. In the company of a guide, you can walk from the clog makers shop to the chestnut dryer, not forgetting the prune steamer and the walnut oil mill.<br>
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In addition, Cardaillac has excellent surroundings, between the medieval village of Lacapelle-Marival (also among the most beautiful villages in France) and the town of Figeac whose exceptional heritage can be seen only 10 Km away.<br>
