The village of housessemi-troglodytic

Saint-Sulpice, between cliff and river

Beneath a spectacular cliff overhang, in the heart of the Célé valley, Saint-Sulpice reveals a singular habitat with its semi-troglodytic houses set against the rock. The village stretches out on a balcony above the river, offering superb views and an atmosphere almost suspended in time. This unspoilt natural setting makes Saint-Sulpice an ideal place for a peaceful stroll, between rock, cliff and the light of the Célé.

Fief of

the Hébrard family

Arriving in the village via narrow lanes, the walk leads naturally along the cliff face. The remains of the ancient medieval castle, established as early as the XIIIᵉ century and remodelled in the XIVᵉ and XVIᵉ centuries, guard the passageway. It was the original stronghold of the Hébrard de Saint-Sulpice family, who left a lasting mark on the history of the village and the Célé valley. Along the way, you’ll discover :

the 17thᵉ century church of Saint-Sulpice, with its single nave and vaulted chapels ;
the remains of the medieval castle, clinging to the cliff;
the semi-troglodytic houses, typical of the Célé valley;
views of the Célé, between river and limestone cliffs.

©St Sulpice 705144 1920x1200 1|Chantille de Lincourt

Vertival Landscape Workshop Muret St Sulpice — ©Célé Valley|L. Berton

Buildings

semi-troglodytic

As you walk along the cliffs in the valley, you gradually come to see the semi-troglodytic buildings that are an integral part of the Quercy landscape, as they are in neighbouring Périgord. Leaning against the rock, they use the cliff as a natural wall, housing houses, barns, dovecotes and small agricultural outbuildings. Here, a cavity simply enclosed by a wall; there, the holes where beams were embedded are still visible in the stone: so many details that tell of an ancient occupation and an ingenious adaptation to this mineral environment. In Saint-Sulpice, these cliff-top dwellings are an integral part of the walk and add to the charm of the village, offering a vivid interpretation of local history, between stone, rock and the Célé valley.

On the road

du Célé, the GR®651

In Saint-Sulpice, the footsteps of walkers meet those of pilgrims. The village can be discovered along the GR®651, the Célé Way, one of the historic routes on the Pilgrim ‘s Way to Santiago de Compostela, as well as the 100km of Quercy. This six-day itinerary allows you to discover the Célé valley in all its diversity, between the limestone plateaux of the Causses du Quercy and the green valleys of the Lot… Here, you can take a break, look up at the cliffs, follow the river and enjoy the peace and quiet. Leaving from Marcilhac-sur-Célé, the Caselles loop trail leads to Saint-Sulpice over a distance of around 18 km, dotted with low walls and dry-stone huts, troglodytic dwellings and beautiful panoramic views over the Célé valley.

Explore Saint-Sulpice with

One map, one village!

With “One map, one village”, discover Saint-Sulpice step by step, looking for clues and hidden details. With map in hand, the walk becomes a game: observe the narrow streets, the facades, compare the images… until you find the intruding photo. It’s a fun, family-friendly activity. Children love investigating and can pick up their Explorer badge at theFigeac Tourist Office. An original and fun way to discover the village in a different way.