Concots: Castrum, Church and Causse Landscape

Concots between Causse and Karst

Concots is part of the Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy. The area around Concots is very hilly and shaped by depressions locally known as cloups. The names Combe Noire and Canabal also help orient visitors in the landscape: Combe Noire is a dry valley descending from the spring locally called “Lac.” This karst spring lies at the bottom of the bowl-shaped Canabal. The names refer to different landforms: Combe Noire to the dry valley, “Lac” to the spring, and Canabal to the bowl-shaped area at its base.

A fortified village and its history

The present-day village of Concots was a fortified castle. At the center of the castrum stands the feudal tower, built by the lords of Cardaillac in the 13th century. The old residential building was attached to the tower; it was rebuilt in the 15th century, after the Hundred Years’ War. The tower and the renovated residential building thus mark different construction phases of the fortified complex. Concots was also an important commercial crossroads until the First World War. This former trading role adds another clearly defined historical perspective to the village’s architectural history.

Church and windmill

The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste was completed in 1879. Its stained-glass windows date from 1870 and are signed by GP. Dagrand. The windows date from nine years before the church building was completed. The church also features a particularly original Stations of the Cross and a painted ceiling. The dated windows and other features of the church interior offer different points of interest when viewing the church. The Lébratières windmill is the best-preserved of Concots’ three windmills and provides a different highlight among the area’s cultural heritage.

Hiking trails and mountain biking

Chemin Faisant is a hiking trail of about 12 kilometers between Concots and Escamps. The circular route features works by local artists; the works on display may change. Check the route details locally before setting out. The GR 36 also passes through Concots and shares part of its route with the GR 46. There are therefore different hiking options to choose from: Chemin Faisant combines a route between two places with artworks along the circular trail, while the shared section with the GR 46 is a defining feature of the GR 36.

For a mountain bike ride, Entre pierres et eau is another option: the loop is 22 kilometers long, rated easy, and passes through the Causse de Limogne. Compared with Chemin Faisant’s approximately 12 kilometers, the stated route is longer; it is also a mountain bike loop rather than a hiking trail. The distance and activity type offer practical points of comparison for planning a ride. Check the route details again before setting out.

Restaurant and accommodation

L'Esprit du Causse is a bistronomic restaurant in the heart of Concots. It is located in a historic building that has been used as an inn since the 19th century. As business status may change, it is advisable to check whether it is currently operating before planning a visit.

Finca Baribal offers glamping on an organically farmed estate in Concots. If you are considering this type of accommodation, check current availability separately.

Discover more destinations: Vaylats, Pontcirq, Labastide-Murat, Nadaillac-De-Rouge, Lalbenque, Saint-Sulpice, Montbrun, Cavagnac

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