Cazideroque between Romanesque heritage and nature

Cazideroque brings together medieval architecture and designated landscapes. Château de Cazideroque, also known as Al Castel, and the Église Saint-Gilles are two distinct points of interest for a culturally focused stay. The protected areas offer another perspective on the area.

Romanesque architecture and medieval history

Château de Cazideroque dates from the 13th century. The Église Saint-Gilles is a Romanesque church from the 12th century and is protected as a historic monument. The buildings therefore date from successive centuries, while also representing two different types of architecture. The church has richly decorated, sculpted capitals that make its architecture particularly vivid.

One capital depicts a food chain: a lion bites the tail of a bird, which in turn is swallowing a fish. The scene can be viewed as a continuous sequence and offers a specific detail to look out for when visiting the church. This draws attention not only to the Romanesque style, but also to the imagery on the capitals.

Visits and walking tour

The Église Saint-Gilles is open for free visits; guided tours are available by prior arrangement only. If you plan to take a guided tour, arrange it in advance and check the visiting conditions before your trip.

The Circuit Découvertes Romanesque walking tour takes in numerous Romanesque churches in the Fumel-Vallée du Lot area and can be done independently with an accompanying booklet. The booklet is available year-round during opening hours at the Fumel-Vallée du Lot Tourist Information Office. Check its opening hours in advance if you are planning the tour. Unlike a guided tour of the Église Saint-Gilles, this walking tour is done independently using the booklet.

Designated landscapes

Château de Cazideroque is situated on an extensive plateau designated as a Natura 2000 site. The designated Site de Sainte Foy covers 157 hectares, about 4 percent of the area of the municipality of Cazideroque. The percentage relates the site’s area to that of the municipality and is explicitly an approximation.

Cazideroque is also home to the designated Natura 2000 site Coteaux du Boudouyssou et plateau de Lascrozes, covering an area of 1,227 hectares. The two area figures have different reference points: for the Site de Sainte Foy, an approximate share of the municipal area is also given, whereas 1,227 hectares is the area of the named Natura 2000 site. This distinguishes the local area figure from the larger site figure.

Saffron and the history of the château

A description from 2017 records that Château de Cazideroque cultivated Crocus sativus L. entirely by hand and produced saffron, saffron liqueur and other saffron products. These included jellies, syrups, jams and fruit pastes. The château’s historical connection with saffron adds cultivation and processing to its architectural history, offering another cultural perspective on the château.

Discover more destinations: La Sauvetat-De-Blanquefort, Poussignac, Port-Sainte-Marie, Cuzorn, Marcellus, Labretonie, Grayssas, Duras.

See the broader travel overview: Lot Et Garonne.