Getawayin timeless villages

Corn and Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie

From Figeac, take the road along the Célé towards Marcilhac-Sur-Célé. The valley undulates along the river and gradually begins to take on the wild, golden landscapes of the Causses du Quercy. After the ancient chapel of Saint-Martin de Camboulit and the village of Boussac, the river flows through two charming villages: Corn and Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie. Both villages are also on the GR®651, one of the variants of the famous GR®65, the route from Le Puy to Santiago de Compostela.

Corn

and its fountain-lavatory

At the foot of the cliffs, the village of Corn charms us with its unobtrusiveness. A resurgent stream emerges as if by magic from a cave, feeds a washhouse and winds through the village with a delightful murmur. Above these crystal-clear waters, we look up to see the first high cliffs. A totally soothing moment in nature. We stroll through the wisteria-lined lanes. Below, under the bridge with its flowery banks, wooden tables invite us to take a picnic break among the trees. On either side, the castles of Goudou and Roquefort remind us of the seigniorial conflicts of the Middle Ages.

Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie

and its priory

After strolling through Corn, we follow the D41 towardsEspagnac-Sainte-Eulalie. At the foot of the river, in a remarkable green setting, we cross the bridge. The village is a picture-postcard setting, with its magnificently preserved 13th-century priory, the prieuré Notre-Dame du-Val-Paradis. Founded in the 12th century, this former Augustinian monastery was long home to nuns. The church’s bell tower, a superb squarehalf-timberedturret topped with a pyramidal slate roof, is exceptional! In the middle of the village, a wooden statue of a pilgrim with his drone reminds us that the village is a stopover on the GR®651.

Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie Priory

Looking for a hike?

Get your sneakers on!

In Corn, the Autour de l’eau hike takes in the Cournillou fountain and the Cavarrot mill.In Espagnac, the Priory walk follows the river towards the Source Bleue, before climbing up to the Causse, where panoramic views of the Célé valley open up .

Nature discovery

LA SOURCE BLEUE On the left bank of the Célé, just outside Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie, a small path with enveloping moss tunnels leads to the porch of a cave housing the Source Bleue or Bual spring. Its name derives from the turquoise color of its waters during flood season. Particularly active in winter and spring, this spring comes from a resurgence, fed by an underground lake via a siphon.

THE CHÂTEAU DES ANGLAIS

Nearby, clinging to the cliff, the Château des Anglais at Brengues seems to hang between heaven and earth, its golden hues blending into the rock like a trompe-l’oeil. Once you’ve climbed the hillside and passed through the fortified gate in the cliff, you can admire this fortification. Used until the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, it was owned by lords to consolidate their power, and served as an entrenchment for the population in the event of an attack. Further on, the cornice path offers superb views over the Célé valley, including an exceptional panorama of the village of Espagnac.

The cliff path