Sérignac: Churches, Châteaux and Rural Paths

Sérignac lies on the Quercy Blanc plateau between Cahors and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. The destination brings together local history and sacred art with historic buildings, a washhouse, a dolmen and rural paths. In the village centre, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste stands right next to the Château de Sérignac. Ferrières and Miraval add other architectural styles to the picture; even Sérignac’s smaller hamlets hold architectural features of interest.

Village Centre on the Edge of the Plateau

The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is in the eastern part of Sérignac’s village centre, which lies on the edge of the plateau. The church stands above the valley of the Saint-Matré stream. The remarkable Château de Sérignac borders it directly, so the two buildings are neighbours in the village centre. Another glimpse into local history is La Maïsou: this large bourgeois residence combines domestic architecture with a much older feature, its 11th-century cellar.

Church and Baroque Altarpiece

The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was rebuilt in the 17th century on the remains of an earlier building. Its altarpiece is particularly striking and is considered one of the most remarkable examples of Baroque altarpiece art in the Lot. It has a wooden tabernacle that is entirely gilded, with statuettes standing between the scenes on the carved panels. In 1775 and 1776, the altarpiece was gilded or regilded and decorated.

It is worth distinguishing between the heritage-protection records for the church building and the furnishing: the church has been protected as a historic monument since 15 November 1993, while the altarpiece has been protected as an object since 20 May 1910. This keeps the protection details for the building and the individual work of art clearly separate.

Ferrières: Building History and Château

Ferrières is a former parish with a public square, the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and a château. Construction of the Château de Ferrières began in 1775. The French Revolution of 1789 interrupted the work, and the château remained unfinished. Its façades and roofs have been protected as historic monuments since 21 July 1960.

Architecturally, the Château combines 18th-century classical elements with surviving medieval features. These include two towers at the northern corners of the courtyard. The protection record specifically covers the façades and roofs; the towers illustrate the château’s medieval features. Here, the building history and surviving architecture can be viewed as distinct aspects of the same building.

Washhouse, Dolmen and Paths

The restored Lavoir de Miraval is a historic washhouse. A spring emerging from a crevice in the rock feeds a fountain and a small washhouse. Across the road is a concrete washhouse with a double basin separating the washing and rinsing areas. The Lavoir de Miraval also offers a panorama. The Bois des Garroustes Dolmen is a double dolmen enclosed by a circular tumulus measuring 17 metres across.

The Chemin de Floressas à Sérignac is an easy, yellow-marked walking route covering 7.5 kilometres and taking about two hours. After passing through the village archway, it reaches the centre of Sérignac. The stated duration is a guide for planning; local ground conditions may vary. Check route conditions before setting out. Around Ferrières, rural paths invite you to explore the surroundings of the hamlet.

Discover more destinations: Prudhomat, Bessonies, Assier, Saint Cirq Lapopie, Flaujac-Poujols, Mercuès, Frayssinet-Le-Gélat, Estal

For the broader travel overview: Lot.