Discover Montastruc

Montastruc lies on the deeply incised molasse slopes on the right bank of the Lot. To the east and west, the small valleys of the Tolzac and the Tolzac de Verteuil mark the boundaries of the commune. This landscape provides the setting for a route that combines hiking with a look at local architectural history. Remains of a fortified castle and local producers are also among the commune’s attractions.

Hiking the Tombebœuf / Montastruc route

The Tombebœuf / Montastruc route is 18.9 kilometres long, marked in yellow and classified as difficult. Its total elevation gain is 480 metres. The distance, elevation gain and difficulty rating give you concrete information to help gauge the scale of the route when planning.

Different travel times are given for the various ways of getting around: the route takes about five hours on foot, three hours and 15 minutes on horseback, and two hours and 20 minutes by mountain bike. This lets you compare the estimated times for the available options directly. Check the stated route times before setting out; trail markings and conditions can also change.

The starting point is the town hall car park. Check parking options before you leave. The Church of Saint-Pierre de la Croix is visible along the route and links the route description to a specific building. This makes it a landmark on the route, without implying anything about opening hours.

Churches and architectural history

The parish church of Saint-Pierre de la Croix was built around the middle of the 12th century and extensively restored in the 16th century. Significant remains of Romanesque masonry have survived from its earlier history, and the church also retains a late medieval roof frame. Different historical layers therefore come together in one building.

Saint-Pierre de Cabannes is a 12th-century church. Its structure includes a semicircular apse and a rectangular nave; the masonry bell tower was added in the 14th or 15th century. Decorated wooden elements survive in the roof frame, and are rarely preserved. The church and adjoining cemetery have been protected as historic monuments by decree since 11 September 1997.

Notre-Dame also bears witness to architectural changes. The present parish church was rebuilt between 1840 and 1848 on the site of the former castle. Before that, the earlier chapel had been destroyed after its bell tower collapsed in 1838. The sequence of chapel, collapse and reconstruction sets this building’s history apart from the medieval features of the two Saint-Pierre churches.

Rural heritage and your stay

A house built with stacked beams dates from between the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1991, it was added to the supplementary list of historic monuments because of the ethnological interest in the rarity and great age of this type of rural building. The historical classification relates to the building type and its age.

When planning a stay in Montastruc, you can focus on a range of themes: the route, with its specific measurements; the architectural history of the churches; and a rare example of a rural building type. The route combines its stated duration and difficulty rating with the visible landmark of Saint-Pierre de la Croix; the other buildings add further periods and architectural features to the picture.

Discover more destinations: Ruffiac, Barbaste, Calignac, Montagnac-Sur-Auvignon, Sainte Livrade Sur Lot, Port-Sainte-Marie, Saint-Martin-Curton, Sembas

For the main travel overview: Lot Et Garonne.