Lavit: Market Hall, Church and Lomagne

Lavit is set amid the gentle hills of Lomagne. Three distinct themes provide a concrete framework for a stay here: the weekly market beneath the central market hall, the architectural history of Saint-Jacques Church and the ten-kilometre hiking trail “Circuit des crêtes” – PR7. You can plan your time around whether you are more interested in the market, architecture or landscape.

Market Hall and Weekly Market

The central market hall is a prominent landmark in the townscape. The square building measures 30 metres on each side and has 32 cast-iron pillars. Its dimensions, shape and materials make the architecture tangible through specific features.

The weekly market takes place beneath the market hall every Friday morning from 8 a.m. to noon. Travelling traders offer items including cheese, fruit and vegetables, meat, shoes and clothing. Different types of goods are therefore brought together here: food alongside shoes and clothing. If you are planning a visit to the market, check the times locally before travelling; the mix of traders may change.

The Building History of Saint-Jacques

Saint-Jacques Church was built over an earlier sanctuary made of wood and clay. Over the course of several centuries, it was rebuilt several times on the same site. Lavit became a bastide at the beginning of the 14th century. The town’s history and the church’s construction thus offer two distinct historical perspectives on Lavit.

The church’s architectural features also reflect different centuries. Elements dating from the 16th century include walls, buttresses, side chapels and engaged columns. The bell tower dates from the 19th century and is 27 metres high. Comparing these dates reveals several building phases: the features mentioned do not all belong to the same period. Comparing the two buildings draws attention to different features: the market hall’s shape, dimensions and pillars, and Saint-Jacques’s building phases and tower height.

Walking in and Around Lavit

The “Circuit des crêtes” – PR7 is a ten-kilometre hiking route in Lavit. Along the way, you can see windmills, dovecotes, fauna, flora and landscapes. The route description thus encompasses both architectural features and nature, with a different focus from the architecture of Saint-Jacques and the market hall.

Dovecotes can also be considered in the broader context of Lomagne. Two unmarked circular routes in the region pass 22 dovecotes; there are 94 in Lomagne in total. The figure 22 refers to the dovecotes along the circular routes, while 94 is the total number in the region. This allows you to distinguish between the specific hiking route in Lavit and the broader regional perspective on this subject.

Discover more destinations: Garganvillar, Montfermier, Tréjouls, Valeilles, Belvèze, Saint-Cirq, Vazerac, Cazes-Mondenard.

For the main travel overview: Tarn-Et-Garonne.