Montcuq

Today we are headed to Lauzerte. I’d hope to break up this stage into two sections. There are two really nice villages: Montcuq and Lauzerte. Unfortunately, there was no accommodation available. So I’m going to try to cover two towns in one day.

This portion of the chemin features little stone signs with quotes from authors, dear to the French. This one is my thought for the day. I found it about 2.4 K short of Montcoq.

Happiness is often the only thing one can give without having, and it is by giving it that one acquires it.
— Voltaire

On the way to Montcoq, we travel through some smaller towns and forested lands. This region features, sharp cliffs with brows that overhang, the cliffs like the eaves on a house. Sometimes these cliffs are completely undermined so that caves form, sometimes with springs inside.

Entering Montcuq, you are greeted by L’Eglise Saint Privat as you descend into town. It’s a nice little church with a chapel that features relics of Sainte Philomène.

I was surprised to find that the main church was actually the larger Eglise Saint Hilaire that’s located on a hill farther west in town.

Coming from the eastern to town, I didn’t notice that the town is dominated by the ruins of a tower of a 12th century castle, Château de Montcuq. The castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times during the religious wars until it was left in the state, we find it today by the wars with the Hugonauts.

Heading west out of Montcuq, we get the advantage of seeing the medieval layout of the town for the first time. I regretted leaving town, but I have a long day of ahead of me.

As we as we move west and south towards Lauzerte, we are surprised to find Église Saint-Pierre de Rouliac, which feature is another version of the black Virgin Mary. I’ve gotta do some research on this topic to learn why it’s so prominent in this part of France.

There were lots of possible diversions to other interesting places along this portion of the path, but I had to press on.Læs mere