What to visit in Figeac?
If you’re spending your camping holiday in the east of the Lot or the north-west of the Aveyron, make the most of it to discover Figeac, a charming medieval town well worth a visit.
Stroll through the historic centre
In the heart of the Célé Valley, in the Lot, Figeac boasts a remarkable historic centre, shaped by its medieval trading heritage. Stroll through its cobbled streets, past half-timbered houses, carved façades and stately homes that bear witness to the town’s former wealth.
On Saturday mornings, the market in Place Carnot offers a chance to discover local produce from the Quercy region.
In the footsteps of Champollion
Figeac is the birthplace of Jean-François Champollion, famous for deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. The Champollion Museum – Les Écritures du Monde traces the history of the world’ s of writing across civilisations. On the Place des Écritures, a monumental reproduction of the Rosetta Stone, created by the artist Joseph Kosuth, pays tribute to his work.
Discover the monuments of Figeac
The tour continues to the Abbey Church of Saint-Sauveur and the Church of Notre-Dame-du-Puy, two buildings emblematic of the town’s religious heritage. The forecourt of Notre-Dame-du-Puy also offers a lovely view over the rooftops of Figeac. The Viguier du Roy Tower, a 14th-century relic, also bears witness to Figeac’s medieval past. It can be admired from the narrow streets of the historic centre, though the building now houses a four-star hotel.
What is there to discover around Figeac?
Near Figeac, the medieval villages, castles and landscapes of the Lot and Célé valleys offer some wonderful ideas for day trips.
Charming villages
A few kilometres from Figeac, Capdenac-le-Haut – listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France – overlooks a bend in the River Lot from its rocky outcrop. Cardaillac, another village with this distinction, stands out for its medieval towers and fortified ruins. Further south, Cajarc invites you to stroll through its ancient streets, around Saint-Étienne Church and down to the banks of the Lot. Its lake also offers a range of water sports on fine days.
A little further afield, around 45 km from Figeac, you can also discover Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the most beautiful villages in France, perched above the meandering Lot and renowned for its medieval alleyways and stone houses.
Castles blending history and scenery
The region is also home to several remarkable castles. Clinging to the cliff face, Larroque-Toirac Castle impresses with its towers and terraced gardens. Larnagol Castle is also well worth a visit for its architecture and landscaped gardens overlooking the Lot valley. In Lacapelle-Marival, a medieval castle featuring an imposing keep rounds off the range of places to visit.
What activities are there to enjoy around Figeac?
Walking and cycling
The area around Figeac can be explored via numerous walking trails, taking in the landscapes of the Causses, the Lot and Célé valleys, and charming villages. Short walks, suitable for families, sit alongside more challenging routes and multi-day hiking trails.
Cycling enthusiasts can also follow the signposted routes on mountain bikes, gravel bikes or e-bikes, or explore the Lot Valley via the 9.6 km greenway between Cajarc and Larroque-Toirac.
Swimming and water sports
To cool off, there are several natural swimming spots dotted along the Célé Valley, notably at Marcilhac-sur-Célé and Sauliac-sur-Célé. These sites, which are often unsupervised, allow you to enjoy the river in an unspoilt setting. Further north, Tolerme Lake offers a sandy beach and water sports during the season. Discover all the swimming spots in the Lot.
The Célé and Lot rivers are also ideal for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, particularly around Cajarc.
Where to stay at a campsite when visiting Figeac?
The campsite in Figeac is currently closed whilst awaiting a new owner. To stay in the surrounding area and explore the medieval town, several partner campsites can serve as a base for your excursions. We recommend the following sites:
Le Terriol — Cajarc (Lot)
Around 25 km from Figeac, Le Terriol** campsite is situated in Cajarc, on the banks of the River Lot and close to the leisure centre. It’s an ideal base for exploring the Lot Valley and its villages.
Roca d’Amour — Padirac (Lot)
In Padirac, about 40 km from Figeac, the Roca d’Amour**** campsite has two complementary areas with water facilities, including heated swimming pools and water slides. The famous Padirac Chasm is just 900 metres away.
Le Ventoulou — Thégra (Lot)
In Thégra, around 40 km from Figeac, the Le Ventoulou**** campsite offers pitches and a range of holiday accommodation. Its water park features a heated indoor swimming pool, ideal for family holidays. It’s also a great base for exploring Rocamadour and the Padirac Chasm.
Le Rouergue — Villefranche-de-Rouergue (Aveyron)
Around 35 km from Figeac, on the Aveyron side, Le Rouergue*** campsite is situated a stone’s throw from the bastide town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue. It offers shaded pitches and holiday rentals, as well as access to the adjoining municipal swimming pool for stays of more than five days.